NRC — Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub
Canada
Automotive manufacturing innovation space in London
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 14, 2019
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Expert Advice
Researchers And Facilities
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Fee-for-service research facility helping Canadian automotive manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing approaches, including mass customization, process industrialization, and data-driven factory automation.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are projects and activities eligible for this grant. The NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub supports collaborative research and development initiatives in advanced manufacturing processes and automotive technology. Eligible projects include:
- Integration of advanced manufacturing technologies for tool and die manufacturing
- Development of technologies for connected/autonomous vehicles
- Implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies for efficient manufacturing
- Research and testing of autonomous driving hardware and software
- Enhancing AI perception for autonomous driving
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$600,000
Development of AI perception systems for autonomous driving
$600,000
Enhancing AI perception for autonomous driving
$520,000
Implementation of Industry 40 IoT solutions for manufacturing
$400,000
Integration of advanced robotics in tool and die manufacturing
$560,000
Implementing machine learning for process optimization
$720,000
Research and testing of autonomous driving hardware
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet certain criteria related to their industry involvement and collaboration capabilities.
- The applicant must be a manufacturer, integrator, or equipment maker in the automotive or manufacturing sectors.
- The applicant should demonstrate the capability and interest in developing advanced manufacturing processes or automotive technologies such as connected vehicles, electrification, or lightweighting.
- The applicant must engage in research and development activities, ideally collaborating with NRC specialists and Canada's research ecosystem.
- The company's activities should align with the Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing methodologies promoted by the NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Companies and industries that are part of the automotive and manufacturing supply chain, encompassing manufacturers, integrators, and equipment makers. The hub is open to those who wish to collaborate with NRC specialists to advance manufacturing processes, integrate technologies related to vehicles, and use Industry 4.0 technologies efficiently.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub offers various collaborative projects and activities aimed at advancing automotive and manufacturing technologies. Eligible projects focus on innovative R&D, technology integration, and the development and demonstration of new manufacturing processes and vehicle technologies.
- Collaboration projects integrating products and technologies from multiple partners into a digital factory or vehicle platform.
- R&D projects developing technology demonstrators in a neutral collaborative space.
- High-level integration and industrialization projects within R&D consortia.
- Development and demonstration of new technologies through trial or pilot systems.
- Implementation of lean manufacturing processes with expert guidance.
- Projects utilizing Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance manufacturing efficiency.
- Research activities focusing on connected/autonomous vehicles, including testing and validation of ICT and AI perception systems.
- Advanced manufacturing and surface modification projects utilizing laser and other deposition technologies.
- Digital twinning and big data modeling projects to optimize manufacturing and vehicle processes.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The evaluation and selection criteria are as follows:
- Alignment with grant objectives and priorities
- Demonstrated need for the grant funding
- Feasibility and clarity of project plan
- Potential impact and benefit to the automotive and manufacturing industry
- Ability to leverage the resources and expertise of the NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub
- Capacity to implement and scale proposed innovations
- Evidence of collaboration and engagement with industry partners
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this collaborative opportunity:
- Step 1: Contact for Initial Inquiry
- Contact David Fraser, Business Advisor, at 613-991-9972 or by email at David.Fraser@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca for business-related inquiries.
- Contact Stephen Sweeney, Acting Director of R&D, at 519-430-7095 or by email at Stephen.Sweeney@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca for technical inquiries to discuss potential collaboration opportunities.
- Step 2: Determine Project Scope and Requirements
- Work with NRC specialists to outline your project goals, requirements, and potential outcomes.
- Identify the specific labs, technologies, and services needed for your project.
- Step 3: Develop a Collaborative Proposal
- Create a proposal that includes project objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and a timeline.
- Detail how the collaboration with NRC can enhance your project.
- Step 4: Review and Finalize Proposal
- Work with NRC business and technical advisors to finalize the proposal details.
- Ensure all necessary documentation is complete and accurate.
- Step 5: Submit the Proposal
- Submit the finalized proposal to the appropriate NRC contact person, either David Fraser or Stephen Sweeney, as per the project focus.
- Confirm receipt of the proposal and any next steps.
- Step 6: Await Feedback and Engage in Further Discussions
- Wait for feedback from NRC regarding the proposal's acceptance.
- Participate in further discussions to clarify and refine project details as needed.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for the NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub:
- The facility is strategically located in London, Ontario, providing proximity to Canadian market, automaker and supplier manufacturing facilities and R&D centres.
- The facility offers access to unique capabilities in Canada, particularly in laser technologies and Industry 4.0.
- It allows for rapidly solving industry problems with novel technology solutions in a flexible and agile collaborative space.
- Access to highly credentialed staff with industry experience is available to assist in R&D and technology demonstration projects.
- The facility promotes the development of new capabilities to harness Industry 4.0 technologies for more efficient manufacturing.
- Confidential workspaces are available to protect sensitive information during collaborative projects.
- It facilitates collaboration among multiple teams, including academic, government, and industry partners.
Apply to this program
Collaborative Innovation at the NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub
The NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub in London, Ontario, offers an unparalleled opportunity for collaboration in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. This state-of-the-art facility supports industry leaders with access to advanced research, testing, and development resources, fostering innovation through dynamic partnerships.
Explore the Unique Capabilities and Opportunities at the NRC Hub
The NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub provides a unique platform where businesses, academic institutions, and government entities can converge to drive advancements in the automotive and manufacturing landscapes. Spanning over 75,000 square feet, this facility is strategically positioned in London, Ontario, a hub of automotive activity that benefits greatly from its proximity to key industry players and research centres. The importance of this sector to Canada's economy cannot be overstated, and the hub plays a critical role in facilitating its growth and evolution.
The facility boasts specialized capabilities that are unparalleled in Canada, with expertise in cutting-edge areas such as laser micromachining, laser polishing, and additive manufacturing technologies like laser consolidation. These technologies offer significant advancements in tool and die manufacturing, automotive lighting, and even security applications. Moreover, the hub's capacity for laser texturing, optical fabrication, and deposition techniques enables manufacturers to explore new frontiers in material science and surface engineering.
Recently, the hub has advanced its capabilities to support and integrate Industry 4.0 technologies in the automotive sector. This includes the adoption of robotic machining, advanced analytics, and manufacturing with new materials. The facility aims to help manufacturers and integrators streamline their processes through data-driven factory automation, modeling, and simulation. By doing so, it aids in shortening project cycles and expediting time-to-market, effectively responding to the dynamic demands of the contemporary manufacturing environment.
The NRC Hub doesn't just provide access to high-end technology and equipment; it also offers a collaborative environment where NRC specialists, with both local and international industry experience, work hand-in-hand with partners. These specialists offer expertise in a wide range of areas including mechatronics, AI, electric vehicle technology, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This broad knowledge base supports companies in developing robust solutions for automated guided vehicles, vehicle networking, and more.
An emphasis on connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies means that the hub also serves as a testing ground for emerging automotive innovations. Projects here benefit from NRC capabilities in hardware-in-the-loop simulations, AI-enhanced perception systems, and real-time data analytics for map augmentation. All of these contribute to the reduction of costs and time traditionally associated with vehicle testing and validation.
The Manufacturing Lab within the hub is a testament to its commitment to fostering innovation through practical application. With a focus on additive manufacturing, micromachining, and surface functionalization, the lab supports the development of new technologies from prototype to full-scale production. The facilities include flexible and expandable lab spaces, which maintain project confidentiality while providing the versatility needed to scale projects efficiently. This modular and adaptable environment ensures that the hub can meet a wide range of industrial needs while safeguarding proprietary technologies.
For manufacturers looking to integrate cutting-edge Industry 4.0 solutions, the hub offers a critical advantage through the integration of cyber-physical systems, IoT, cognitive computing, and machine learning into the manufacturing processes. By leveraging big data, digital twinning, and collaborative robotics, businesses can achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, quality, and innovation.
In conclusion, the NRC Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub is more than just a research facility; it is a catalyst for industry transformation. By providing a comprehensive suite of services, expertise, and state-of-the-art facilities, it empowers Canadian businesses to lead in the global market, fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future. Engaging with the hub presents a unique opportunity for companies to harness the power of collaboration in driving their technological advancements and achieving competitive success in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
