Press Release
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Research Laboratory in Robotics, Electronics and Industry 4.0 Established
The Laboratory in Robotics, Electronics and Industry 4.0 (R. E. I. 4.0) is a new industrial expertise centre established in the Faculty of Engineering at the Université de Moncton.
Bringing together multiple infrastructures and areas of expertise, this laboratory aims to enhance the quality of education on all levels of university study, create a multidisciplinary research environment in collaboration with local industries and companies, and provide a platform for continuous professional development. The laboratory’s mission includes helping to strengthen the Atlantic Canadian economy’s resilience by growing its technological capacity.
“The R. E. I. 4.0 Laboratory will assist our students in multiple levels of study in acquiring advanced knowledge about Industry 4.0 technologies,” explained Yassine Bouslimani, professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and member of the research team. “Companies in the region will also enjoy access to support for their innovation projects in relation to production processes or new product development through use of cutting-edge techniques and tools.”
In establishing this laboratory, the Université de Moncton is embracing the reality of Industry 4.0, or the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” involving increased automation and incorporation of smart machines and other new technologies into companies’ value chains.
“Our lab will help ensure that the education offered remains aligned to the actual needs of the labour market,” stated Ryan LeBlanc, research engineer at the R. E. I. 4.0 Laboratory.
The laboratory offers three main services to companies seeking its expertise: collaborative industrial research, professional training in industrial robotics, and consulting. These services promote information sharing with the industry, tangible advances in research, and enrichment of the student experience.
The laboratory is equipped with major infrastructure including an industrial robotics capacity funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, Mitacs, and a number of industry partners. Their facilities include four next-generation FANUC and KUKA robots as well as learning spaces and constitute a significant asset when it comes to developing and implementing applied research projects with the goal of resolving the various industrial challenges encountered by companies in the region.
The professional training in industrial robotics offered by the R. E. I. 4.0 Laboratory targets corporate learners and is delivered in person through the Continuing Education service of the Université de Moncton. A new course in industrial robot programming, GELE5129, has also been added to the electrical engineering program and is expected to be rolled out to both the electrical and mechanical engineering programs in 2021.
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