Humber College and SEW-EURODRIVE team up for advanced manufacturing

Jul. 12, 2018 – Humber College and SEW-EURODRIVE are entering into a five-year partnership agreement designed to build awareness and provide training and applied research opportunities related to Industry 4.0 technologies, a critical aspect of advanced manufacturing. The partnership will expand the knowledge of faculty, students and employees. It will also enable both large Canadian companies and small and medium-sized enterprises to explore how aspects of Industry 4.0 can help enhance their manufacturing processes and increase their productivity.

As part of the agreement, SEW-EURODRIVE will showcase its Industry 4.0 laboratory for the first time in North America. This living laboratory focuses on Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), mobile worker assistants and connected automation equipment. Located in Humber’s Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation (CTI), the laboratory will demonstrate how mobile technology interacts with both people and stationary automation.

“By collaborating with SEW-EURODRIVE, we are finding new ways to invest in our students and strengthen Humber’s expertise in advanced manufacturing education and training,” said Dr. Chris Whitaker, president, Humber College. “This partnership reflects how in our polytechnic approach to education we are working closely with industry to engage students and faculty through emerging technologies.”

The partnership will include:
• Investment of more than $4 million in SEW-EURODRIVE technology at Humber
• SEW-EURODRIVE Industry 4.0 Live Laboratory in the Barrett CTI
•  $125,000 to establish new scholarships through the SEW-EURODRIVE Ernst Blickle Awards
•  Employment and exchange pathways for Humber students to work at SEW-EURODRIVE locations in Canada and around the world
•  Educational programs in the areas of drive automation and industry 4.0
•  STEM outreach activities and awareness events with a goal of inspiring high school students to consider industrial automation careers

“At SEW-EURODRIVE, we see great value in investing in Humber students and providing the opportunity for students to develop the skills and gain the practical experience that today’s employers demand,” said Anthony Peluso, SEW-EURODRIVE Canada, COO. “We look forward to working with other industry partners to lead and build a world-class automation and learning systems centre at Humber.”