The University of Windsor and TELUS want to know how 5G technology can solve problems in agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles, so they're opening a new commercial lab on campus.
The university entered a partnership with TELUS in 2020, and this week, the communications technology company announced a $5-million investment in the lab.
"Our partnership with UWindsor will supply some of Canada's leading researchers with the latest 5G technology to enable advanced research in key industries," said Ibrahim Gedeon, TELUS's Chief Technology Officer. "This investment will help to grow the local economy of Windsor-Essex and its position in the region as an automobility and technology leader and will provide UWindsor students with an enhanced academic experience."
In return, the university will name the central space at the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation the TELUS Atrium.
Working with Mitas, a non-profit national research organization, researchers will explore how artificial intelligence can enhance safety and security in connected and autonomous vehicles.
A second project with the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, Original Equipment Manufacturers, and policymakers will study how autonomous vehicles can help fix cross-border congestion and supply chain issues.
Researchers also partnered with Horteca on a two-acre, fully-operational, and connected greenhouse in Harrow. The hope is 5G technology will help make food production more scalable, for less money and impact the environment.