Grant: Applied Research and Technology Partnership Grants

IDEAWORKS, Mohawk College's applied research department is a trusted R&D partner to many Hamilton-area businesses, and, since its launch in 2010, it has strategically built capacity for key regional sectors and aligned its offerings with industry needs. The IDEAWORKS ARTP objectives are to help partners digitize and connect conventionally non-connected equipment, assets and processes, and improve the security and reliability of digital systems. To achieve these objectives, IDEAWORKS teams will work with industry partners in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) (software, hardware, and digital health companies) and manufacturers.IDEAWORKS' expertise and experience in developing sensor systems, software, hardware, and technology processes will help partners seize digitization opportunities. The projects will support partners with the development of software and/or hardware that strategically include Internet of Things (IoT). IoT connectivity is expected to triple worldwide from 2018-23. That growth highlights increasing interconnectivity opportunities, which creates significant cyber security gaps and risks. IDEAWORKS will address these risks as part of a project in cyber security to strengthen partner hardware/software communications. Another opportunity created by IoT is digital equipment operations tracking to advance maintenance strategies. This is important as poor maintenance strategies can reduce a plant's overall productive capacity by 5-20%. IDEAWORKS will help companies adopt IoT equipment tracking with sensor systems and software development.The ARTP will enable IDEAWORKS to hire and train up to 27 students, helping them develop technical skills in areas such as software development, sensor integration, data/image analysis, hardware design, testing and iteration, and simulation. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a major Mohawk commitment, demonstrated by the College-wide EDI Action Plan to ensure our team is reflective of our community, and our workplace is inclusive and accessible. For the ARTP, IDEAWORKS will continue the efforts through training for all IDEAWORKS team members and work with the Equity and Inclusivity Office for hiring support.