The Canadian Robotics Council (CRC) announced a partnership with Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), involving a funding of $100,000. This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of robotics in Canada’s manufacturing sector.
The CRC, established as a non-profit in June 2023, focuses on enhancing Canada’s robotics ecosystem and increasing the visibility of Canadian robotics capabilities both domestically and internationally. The funding from NGen is intended to support the CRC in developing its organizational structure and furthering its mission.
As part of this partnership, the CRC will join NGen’s Cluster Accelerator Network, taking a lead role in the robotics segment. This integration will facilitate collaborative opportunities with NGen’s network clusters in areas such as AI, photonics, and automation, fostering mutually beneficial projects and events.
The CRC and NGen will initiate their collaboration by co-organizing the CRC’s third annual symposium in Toronto on June 14, 2024. This event is expected to gather representatives from industry, academia, and government to discuss the current state and future opportunities of robotics in Canada.
Hallie Siegel, Co-founder and Co-chair of the CRC and Managing Director of Strategy and Partnerships at the University of Toronto Robotics Institute, emphasized the importance of this partnership in connecting various sectors within the Canadian robotics ecosystem. She highlighted the role of NGen’s network, which includes end-users in mining, mobility, and advanced manufacturing, in fostering growth and collaboration across different industries.
Christy Michalak, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Development Programs at NGen, recognized the CRC’s vision and its position as a national voice for Canada’s robotics sector. She noted the CRC’s potential to lead NGen’s robotics cluster towards enhancing growth and innovation in Canada’s manufacturing sector.
