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ShareApr. 9, 1998 — Energenius Inc. and the University of Toronto will establish a new centre for research into advanced robotics, mechatronics and intelligent systems, strengthening U of T's position at the forefront of this emerging field of research.
The investment of $5.25 million will establish the Energenius Centre for Advanced Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Systems (ECARMIS) and will bring together international researchers from different disciplines to produce new and innovative solutions to emerging industrial challenges.
"The Energenius Centre for Advanced Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Systems will pioneer new technology and lead the development of the robot revolution," said Stanley Meek, president of Energenius Inc. "Our commitment to the University of Toronto will ensure Canada has the advanced technologies and skilled workers necessary to compete globally."
The gift will endow the Energenius Chair in Advanced Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Systems, as well as create a master of applied science program in robotics and mechatronics for 30 students. The first incumbent of the chair will be Andrew Goldenberg, currently director of U of T's robotics and automation laboratory and mechatronics laboratory. A pioneer of robotics research in Canada, Goldenberg has had extensive interaction with industry including Spar Aerospace's CanadArm project. In addition to the 30 graduate students and the chair, the agreement makes provision for another faculty position and will provide funding to attract senior researchers, scientists and visiting scholars.
"This generous investment exemplifies strong leadership and a long-term commitment by Energenius to meeting the challenges of rapid technological and social change in Canada," said U of T president Robert Prichard. "The timing of this gift is particularly strategic as our engineering faculty celebrates 125 years of outstanding achievement and looks forward to innovative ways of developing leading-edge technologies." Energenius Inc. has already invested over $8 million in U of T, including the recent establishment of the Energenius Centre for Advanced Nanotechnology, the first of its kind in North America.
Robotics and intelligent systems is a growing industry with a vast range of applications. Researchers will address two of the key issues that have slowed advances in robotics, namely the high cost of hardware and the imperfect precision of current technologies. Although its initial impact will focus on manufacturing technologies, future applications include virtually every sector of the economy including health care, communications, transportation, energy, aerospace and mining.
"The Energenius Centre will operate as an inter-disciplinary unit in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering," said Michael Charles, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. "It will serve as a model for the rapid development and effective transfer of advanced technology through innovative collaboration between industry and advanced education."
Based in Toronto, Energenius Inc. is a globally focused research and development company committed to developing made-in-Canada solutions for industries in Ontario facing rapid technological change.
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