The NSERC Canadian Field Robotics Network (NCFRN) put on an impressive display of robots and drones last week in Ottawa as the national network readies its pitch for renewed and increased federal funding. NCFRN, one of 16 active NSERC Strategic Networks, is currently in its final year of a five-year $5 million award. Demonstrations representing the work of 180 researchers from eight universities and 12 industrial and government partners coincided with the network’s annual meeting where high-level discussions took place on how to secure an even larger injection of funding from the federal government.

Dr Gregory Dudek, NCFRN scientific director and a professor of Computer Science at McGill Univ, says Canada’s participation in developing technologies for robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles is at a critical juncture.

“We’re on the brink of an enormous transformation … This is a call to arms for Canadians (to embrace) a tsunami of change,” says Dudek, adding that Canada can either develop these new technologies or buy them from other countries. “We’re at the limits of our funding which is small by international standards … The network is at the end of its funding cycle so this is an opportune time.”

Dudek says that, based on the future requirements of its industrial partners, NCFRN will consider requesting increased funding which officially expires on July 1, though operations could be extended another year through carry forwards — moving eligible lapsing funds from one FY to the following FY.

NCFRN’s research supports large-scale, multidisciplinary research projects in targeted areas that require collaboration between academic researchers and Canadian-based organizations and companies to address problems that will affect the industry over the next 10 years. The main research themes are land, air, water and human-robotic interaction.

Field robotics are defined as autonomous systems designed to perform tasks that are difficult, repetitive, unpleasant, or take place in hazardous environments such as search and rescue operations or air and water quality assessment. Many of the applications are geared towards the use of robotics in harsh or remote environments, while others — such as a self-driving wheelchair — are designed to assist humans with mobility impairments.

The network attracted a host of companies seeking to leverage academic expertise including MDA Inc, Neptec Technologies, BGC Engineering, Clearpath Robotics and the Hydro Quebec Research Institute. They are required to match NSERC funding in cash or in-kind and in return receive a non-exclusive right to access the technologies developed. Separate negotiations are required if companies want to commercialize any of the technologies.

NCFRN Themes

Land: Planetary exploration, contaminated environments, rescue operations and mining

Water: Coastline and underwater infrastructure monitoring; ecological monitoring

Air: Low-altitude flight in all weather conditions for monitoring of large infrastructure (power lines, pipelines) or remote areas

Human: Home of people with impaired cognitive/physical abilities to provide personal assistance, detection of dangerous situations and virtual visits by family

R$