Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

JRAMCO Inc. and Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) at SAIT Polytechnic are working to launch a revolution in pipeline construction through the development of automated construction equipment. JRAMCO's vision of automating the pipeline construction process will enable a substantial reduction in environmental impact and safety risks while improving the economic value of the pipeline over its lifetime to all stakeholders. These objectives will be achieved by reducing the number of pieces of heavy equipment, size of right-of-way, and number of people on site. ARIS is completing a Technology Gap Assessment for JRAMCO Inc. as the next step towards the development of an automated pipeline construction system. The technology and partnerships developed through the proposed scope will allow JRAMCO to move this technology further up the technology readiness scale. The relationship built between SAIT and JRAMCO will grow with SAIT staff and students being selected for specific technology gap-closure applied research projects. The future student projects will focus on engaging students to develop skills related to new product development, construction of prototype equipment and implementation of technology to achieve design criteria all while interfacing and adding value to a corporation that values their contributions.