The Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) has partnered with the Centre national intégré du manufacturier intelligent (CNIMI) and Ericsson to enhance Canadian manufacturing innovation through a new Living Lab initiative. This collaboration will provide co-funded access to the Advanced Manufacturing Living Lab, utilizing Ericsson's Private 5G technology.

The lab will support over 100 Canadian startups and scaleups by allowing them to test and validate advanced sensor, robotic, and artificial intelligence products. Jean-François Houle, mayor of Drummondville, emphasized the importance of execution and collaboration in innovation, stating that the lab offers a unique opportunity to de-risk and accelerate commercialization.

This partnership signifies Canada's commitment to leading in next-generation manufacturing technologies, positioning the country at the forefront of global innovation.

The Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) announced a Living Lab partnership with the Centre national intégré du manufacturier intelligent (CNIMI) and Ericsson to advance Canadian innovation in manufacturing.

Through the partnership, the CENGN Living Lab Initiative will now include co-funded access to the Advanced Manufacturing Living Lab, powered by Ericsson Private 5G and hosted at CNIMI.

The living lab will enable Canadian startups and scaleups to test and validate their cutting-edge sensor, robotic and applied artificial intelligence products for integration in today’s and future manufacturing operations, accelerating their path to market readiness.

“Innovation is not just about ideas, it is about execution, speed and collaboration,” said Jean-François Houle, mayor of Drummondville. “The living lab provides companies with a unique opportunity to experiment, to derisk innovation and to accelerate their path to commercialization.”

Supported by a $45 million investment from the Federal Government’s Strategic Response Fund (SRF), CENGN’s national Living Lab Initiative aims to help over 100 Canadian startups and scaleups looking to prepare their products and solutions for industry adoption.

CENGN reportedly selected CNIMI for its hands-on, human-centered approach, which makes advanced solutions more accessible and easier to understand, while enabling entrepreneurs to test them in real-world conditions.

Its 2,800 m. (30,000 sq. ft.) factory-lab, an active innovation hub dedicated to industrial transformation, will host the new Living Lab.

CENGN’s Advanced Manufacturing Living Lab will be outfitted with the latest Private 5G wireless connectivity, powered by Ericsson. This includes 5G IAP (indoor advanced positioning), enabling validation of solutions targeting key use cases, like indoor positioning systems, integrated sensor and machine solutions and autonomous stationary and mobile robotics.

“What we are jointly announcing today is not just another technology initiative, it is strategic and it is a clear signal that Canada is ready to lead in the next generation of manufacturing,” said Nishant Grover, president of Ericsson Canada.

“Manufacturing around the world is being reshaped by AI, robotics and next generation connectivity. The question is not whether this transformation will happen. The question is whether Canada will lead this,” Grover said.