CRVI receives $175,000 from the Quebec government to implement an AI‑Assisted Robotics Research Program focused on Industry 4.0 requirements
Centre de robotique et de vision industrielles Inc. (CRVI) has received a grant under the Support Program for Research and Innovation Organizations (PSO), Part 2a, in response to a call for artificial intelligence projects from College technology transfer centers. The Center will use the funding to implement a research program on AI‑Assisted Robotics focused on Industry 4.0 requirements. Our objective is to invest $2 million in the research program and $2.5 million to modernize research facilities over five years.
As part of this effort, we are pleased to announce the creation of a new scientific director position at CRVI to have a full-time resource dedicated to developing and managing the research program, writing grant’s applications, and liaising with the college and university research community and businesses partners in order to enhance long-term collaborative research partnerships.
Our new Scientific Director, Riadh Azouzi, PhD, Eng., joined CRVI on March 23rd, 2020. He holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from Université Laval with a concentration in computer-integrated manufacturing, adaptive process control, and artificial intelligence. He also has a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in manufacturing systems from Université Laval (1991) and a Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.
Mr. Azouzi has had a professional career with a strong focus on computer sciences in manufacturing. Concurrently to his master and doctoral thesis research work, he had a number of teaching and learning experiences related to courses in artificial Intelligence in manufacturing, computer-aided design and manufacturing, materials processing, experiment design and statistical analysis, industrial robotics, and industrial systems simulation. He also was an R&D Engineer at D.S.S. Automotion Systems where he adapted artificial neural networks techniques to on-board systems for automated processes optimization. Then, he served as Algorithm specialist then Senior software engineer at Baan (that has been one of the world’s top producers of enterprise business management and client/server software systems later acquired by Invensys Ltd., SSA Global, then Infor), where he became a resource-person in manufacturing systems and AI techniques. Later, Dr. Azouzi worked as an R&D Agent at FPInnovations and CRIQ. In recent years, he has been supporting some professors at University Laval in setting up research programs with industrials partners, and was responsible for coordinating and delivering some of these programs. Finally, Dr. Azouzi is the lead author of some industrial strategic reports and several scientific articles that appeared in renowned journals.
About CRVI
Centre de robotique et de vision industrielles Inc. (CRVI) is a college technology transfer center located at Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon. CRVI has been an integral part of Quebec’s innovation system since 1984.
We help companies looking to leverage innovation and be more productive and competitive by offering our expertise in applied research, technology transfer, and customized support in the fields of industrial robotics, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. CRVI is a key player in Quebec’s efforts to implement advanced technologies and truly make the jump to Industry 4.0.
CRVI is backed by a multidisciplinary team of experts and state-of-the-art research facilities complete with industrial equipment and cutting-edge laboratories. As a firm believer in the collaborative approach, CRVI is a member of the Synchronex network, QuébecInnov, and many other sector-based associations, thereby optimizing value and innovation potential for clients.
