Digital Technology Transformation Initiative

Overview

RRC Polytech’s Digital Technology Transformation Initiative (DTTI) is a cross-institutional program created to support applied research collaborations between the College and industry that aim to advance digital transformation and drive sustainability in Manitoba.

Funded by a Mobilize grant of just over $3.4 million from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC), the DTTI helps local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and community organizations by offsetting the costs of applied research projects that address existing gaps in technical and human skills that lead to digital innovation.

Access to RRC Polytech’s equipment, facilities and the expertise of professional research staff, faculty and students, along with funding for related materials and supplies eases the initial investment for Manitoba-based organizations to explore the validation of progressive ideas — accelerating digital adoption and clean tech across the province.

The applied research projects under DTTI will focus on the adoption of digital technologies that support Industry 4.0. These technologies include but are not limited to Artificial Intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing, big data analytics, simulation and modeling, industrial internet of things (IIoT), internet of things (IoT), autonomous collaborative robotics, cybersecurity, universal integration, and cloud/fog computing.

DTTI partner organizations may be from the public sector, private sector, for-profit companies, or not-for-profit organizations.

Partner organizations are expected to:

• participate actively in the research activities and contribute in a meaningful way to their success
• provide contributions (cash and in-kind) to support activities directly related to the research activities
• be capable and willing to implement and exploit the results of the research to the benefit of the College’s community and/or Canadian society

This strategic initiative aims to build capacity around digitally focused applied research at RRC Polytech, to address industry’s most critical needs in the areas of advanced digital manufacturing and clean technologies and to lay the groundwork for future collaborations. The DTTI will also provide invaluable experiential learning opportunities for students while facilitating a talent pipeline of diverse innovators to power the workforce of tomorrow.

Making Access Easy

RRC Polytech is excited to leverage the power of partnership to assist you. We understand that securing funding to aid research and development can be a time-consuming process. Let our DTTI Team connect you with the appropriate department and talent within our organization to lead your research project and help you navigate all available funding and engagement opportunities. Just describe the objectives and scope of your idea, and we will tailor our approach to maximize your investment.

Potential Projects

Sample projects may include:

• Digital twinning and simulation of manufacturing processes, environmental scenarios, and building design
• Advanced battery management systems
• Physical asset optimization and predictive maintenance
• Real-time optimization of energy consumption
• Electric vehicle (EV) performance optimization and predictive maintenance systems
• Building automation and energy management systems
• Intelligent charging systems
• Real-time data acquisition, analysis and decision-making, including handling large datasets
• Advanced collaborative robotics
• Advanced manufacturing IoT
• Process integration and coordination
• Enterprise resource management optimization and data visualization

Are You Ready to Connect?

Looking to develop a research or innovation idea? Benefit from the Digital Technology Transformation Initiative program, utilize our facilities and connect with our experts at RRC Polytech to develop your project. We’d love to work with you to bring your idea to life!

Industry and External Partners

Submit your expression of interest today and take the first step towards digital innovation!

RRC Polytech Staff and Faculty

Have an idea for an AR project that benefits staff and students or an external connection who has expressed interest? Learn more about the internal administration of the DTTI and get involved today!