Officials from the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) and the University of Waterloo have formally signed a long-term research collaboration focused on innovating manufacturing through the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The KERI-Waterloo Collaboration Hub for Manufacturing AI will combine the engineering and technology expertise of both academic institutions with applicable research aligned with local industry partners, in both Waterloo, Ontario and Changwon, Korea. The original MOU was signed in November 2019 with a delegation from University of Waterloo, the city of Waterloo, KERI and Changwon city in Korea.
The economy of Changwon, a city of more than a million residents, is anchored by heavy manufacturing in areas including shipbuilding, and the automotive and defense industries. KERI, a government-funded, 600-member institute dedicated to electrical technology, is located in the city.
As the leading Canadian Faculty of Engineering, with the established Waterloo AI Institute, Waterloo is uniquely positioned to partner with KERI on this innovative research collaboration.
“We consider this the beginning of a larger, deeper relationship,” said HJ Kwon, an engineering professor who is leading the initiative for Waterloo. “There is great potential to establish collaborations with other Korean cities and other research institutes.”
This is a unique and already productive research collaboration forged over many years and through a combined ambition to modernize manufacturing through advancements in AI technology. Collaborative research work began in 2020 with a range of projects including AI-based assembly of car steering shaft with industry partners in Korea, and an AI-based tool management system project. In 2021, collaborative research began on a machining defect inspection system and an AI-based human error prevention system. In 2022, further collaboration is planned with Busan, the 2nd largest city in Korea.
Mary Wells (left in the screen), dean of the Faculty of Engineering presents the signed document with HJ Kwon (right in the screen), a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, while located in Korea, Myung Sung-ho (left), president of KERI, and Ahn Kyung-won (right), deputy mayor of Changwon participate in the signing ceremony that took place virtually.