Brock University is launching a new teaching lab designed to prepare students for careers in fast-growing technology fields, with support from a provincial investment of more than $900,000.
The Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security has provided funding for Brock’s new Engineering and Computer Science Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Mechatronics Lab, which is expected to be fully operational this fall.
The lab will provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment and hands-on learning opportunities in areas such as AI, software engineering, robotics, data science, and technological innovation.
“This support for the Engineering and Computer Science programs at Brock University will ensure students and instructors have access to advanced equipment to meet business and industry standards and enhance the overall learning experience,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West.
“By investing in post-secondary infrastructure, we are not only supporting our local economy right here in Niagara but ensuring students develop the technology and innovation skills they need to succeed in the workforce.”
The project is funded through the provincial government’s Training Equipment and Renewal Fund. The new lab will include industry-standard hardware such as a self-driving car, humanoids and quadruped robots or “robot dogs,” industrial robot arms and mechatronics stations used to teach automation, robotics and industrial programming.
The mix of technology will create an undergraduate learning environment that is “exceptionally rare” in Ontario’s post-secondary sector, according to Peng Wu, Associate Professor and Chair of Brock’s Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering.
“Industries everywhere, from advanced manufacturing and automated logistics to tech research labs, are looking for people who can make machines smarter and more efficient,” Wu said. “By focusing on this area, students move from just using technology to actually designing it, positioning themselves to lead teams and manage the automated environments of the future.”
Students using the lab will be able to design, train and evaluate intelligent systems in real-world environments, helping them better understand practical applications of AI and robotics.
Beatrice Ombuki-Berman, Professor and Chair of Brock’s Department of Computer Science, said the lab will help students build skills that are increasingly important across many sectors.
“By studying AI and robotics together, students gain an understanding of how intelligent systems can interpret information, solve problems and interact with the world around them,” said Ombuki-Berman. “These skills are becoming increasingly valuable across a wide range of careers and industries.”
