https://ift.tt/xjHz0ys
The University of Waikato is partnering with Company-X to bring research, computer science, business management, maths, engineering and artificial intelligence together to drive commercial projects.
The first area the partnership will focus on is transport and infrastructure, by integrating artificial intelligence to improve roading, water and energy management.
The collaboration overall, however, aims to open pathways for researchers to have an impact in broader fields of infrastructure, primary industries, smart manufacturing and management.
“We have a strategic vision for the University to work with private companies for the benefit of the community and country – this new partnership with Company-X is an excellent example of this,” said University of Waikato deputy vice-chancellor professor Alister Jones.
The partnership’s first project will focus on enhancing the speed and effectiveness of decision-making for asset managers responsible for maintaining infrastructure such as roading, water and energy.
It will combine research and expertise from the University’s School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, School of Engineering, Artificial Intelligence Institute and Waikato Management School.
Company-X CEO and co-founder and Waikato University alumnus Jeremy Hughes said the management of physical infrastructure assets, particularly in the transport sector, was a global challenge.
“According to Statista, countries spent between 0.2 per cent and 4.8 per cent of total gross domestic product on inland transport infrastructure in 2021,” he said.
“However, within that spending, the ability to make evidence-based decisions can become complicated if the data is disconnected, inefficient, or insufficient.”
The first collaboration aims to develop a system that integrates advanced asset management data visualisations with world-class AI, enabling asset managers to make more efficient and effective decisions on road maintenance and renewal.
“There is huge opportunity, given the wealth of high-quality data in the transport domain, for training AI models to surface insights needed to make informed and efficient investment decisions,” Hughes said.
“Given the University is recognised internationally for its work in AI, it makes sense to partner with them to explore the potential of this.”
Company-X co-founder and also a Waikato alumnus David Hallett said the university’s ability to provide insights across multiple sectors was critical to forming the partnership.
“Our partnership will contribute to Hamilton City’s ‘Tech in the Tron’ reputation and attract skilled professionals where they can achieve great things with technology,” he said.