Ontario Tech University Leaders in AI in Advanced Manufacturing
Leaders in AI in Advanced Manufacturing
We are a Canadian research-intensive university with a strong focus on engineering and innovation. Committed to advancing discovery and applied knowledge, we collaborate with industry partners to drive economic growth, technological progress and regional development.
The field of Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing is an Institutional Research Priority, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise from world-class researchers and leveraging globally leading facilities to accelerate the commercialization of innovation at industry speed.
Our team, consisting of seasoned industry professionals and faculty with extensive experience, has a proven track record of working with businesses to successfully bring new products to market.
- The ACE Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel core research and testing facility supports industry product development globally.
- STEM-focused university with multiple research institutes and industry-responsive training programs.
- Lead academic and build partner on Project Arrow 1.0
- Canada’s #1 Undergraduate Research University of the Year (2023 and 2024) and the national leader in applications of AI in advanced manufacturing.
Areas of research and innovation expertise include:
- Industry 4.0 and 5.0 revolutions
- Cyber-physical systems in manufacturing
- Digital manufacturing
- Design for manufacturing
- IoT software and devices
- Data analytics
- Vision systems robotics/smart machines
- Additive/subtractive manufacturing
- Smart materials
- Opto-electric and energy material
- Micro-electronics
- Digital twins
- Project management
- Testing
- Autonomous systems
- AI and machine learning
Industry sector expertise include:
- Transportation – road and rail
- Electric vehicles of all classes
- Renewable energy
- Aerospace industry
- National security
- Cybersecurity
- Electrification
- Autonomous systems
- Sport and athletics
Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE)
ACE is a world-class research and development facility equipped with a team of skilled engineers and technicians dedicated to solving complex product development and testing challenges. Our innovative Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel and advanced climatic chambers provide cutting-edge solutions for aerodynamics, thermal management, EV, and hydrogen testing, tailored to meet your specific needs.
- Test in Cold: -40C and/or Hot: +60C
- Test in Rain/Snow/Ice/Solar/Fog
- Tune precipitation to your requirements
- Underbody Thermal Management
- Measure Aerodynamic Forces
- YAW Cross-Wind Testing Capability
- Climatic Wind Tunnel Testing on integrated Dynos
- Up to 350kW in-chamber DC fast-charge capability
- Test Battery and Power Electronics Performance in extreme conditions
ACE is available for rent to anyone seeking its specialized capabilities including manufacturers, startups, and researchers from Canada, the United States and beyond. Clients have the flexibility to rent the entire facility or specific chambers at globally competitive hourly rates. Additionally, remote real-time monitoring allows customers to test and conduct and oversee testing from anywhere in the world.
Hydrogen Commercialization and Demonstration Centre
We collaborate with technology leaders to develop innovative projects and build prototypes for commercialization and demonstration.
Our mission is to drive significant global reductions in carbon emissions by utilizing our world-class facilities, intellectual property and industry partnerships to advance hydrogen-based energy and mobility technologies.
Our ACE facility offers hydrogen fueling and testing capabilities across multiple test chambers.
Project Arrow
Project Arrow is the most significant industrial collaboration in the history of the Canadian automotive sector. The initial project involved 60 partners, each contributing their cutting-edge technology. Project Arrow progressed from initial supplier meetings to part design, fabrication, and full build on-site in the university’s ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel.
While today’s cars are typically assembled on production lines, every aspect of Arrow’s design and fabrication—selecting and placing each bolt to final installation and construction—was meticulously completed on campus by a team of experts and students from the university’s engineering programs. This team worked closely with the APMA’s many partners, including industry leaders, startups and major Tier-1 suppliers across Canada to drive innovation and collaboration on Project Arrow.
Ontario Tech's research strengths and priorities relevant to Project Arrow
- Energy, applied bioscience and environmental sustainability
- Canada’s energy and environmental future
- Electric battery and fuel cells
- Advanced manufacturing and materials
- Intelligent manufacturing and materials innovation
- Automotive engineering, transportation and electrification systems
- Autonomous vehicles and systems
Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) brings together a diverse and multidisciplinary community of researchers focused on exploring the evolving needs of the manufacturing sector. Their work addresses key aspects such as Predictivity, Agility, Reconfigurability, Sustainability, and Intelligence (PARSI).
Why AMRC?
Our research enhances productivity, optimizes operations and promotes sustainable growth. With expertise in AI, robotics and smart manufacturing, we help you stay ahead of your competition by offering practical solutions with real-world impact.
Our core research areas
- Predictivity – Advanced data analytics for precision manufacturing.
- Agility – Flexible production systems for rapid adaptability.
- Reconfigurability – Self-adjusting manufacturing setups to identify the best ways to use available resources.
- Sustainability – Environmental impact and efficient processes to minimize waste.
- Intelligence – AI-driven decision-making in manufacturing.
Industry partnerships & collaborations
Collaborate with us on research projects, pilot programs and workforce training initiatives. Industries that have engaged with us include automotive, sports, defence and renewable energy.
Partner with us to transform your manufacturing business. Explore opportunities for funding, collaboration and innovation that advance industry success.
Waste to energy innovation - Transforming industrial waste into clean power solutions
Gerdau, a global steel company, is collaborating on a project with Whitby-based cleantech startup Ekstera, which was founded by an engineering team at Ontario Tech University (OTU). Ekstera CEO and co-founder Brendan MacDonald, an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at Ontario Tech, aims to harness the waste heat from furnaces and reuse the energy for use within the factory.
The solution:
- Heat recovery technologies – Capture and repurpose excess energy.
- Circular energy systems – Turn industrial by-products into power.
Industries with high potential for waste heat utilization include:
- Heavy Industry and Manufacturing – steel, cement, chemicals
- Energy and Power Generation – oil & gas refineries or natural gas pipelines
- Data Centers and IT Infrastructure
- Pulp and Paper Mills
- Food Processing Plants
Waste-to-energy innovation is a transformative opportunity across industries. Early adopters can lower costs, reduce emissions and gain a competitive advantage in the evolving energy landscape.
Visit Brendan McDonald at the Canadian Pavilion in Hall 2 Stand B42 in the Startups Section.
Contact Us
CANADA | ONTARIO TECH UNIVERSITY
2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario Canada L1G 0C5
Not sure where to start? Contact us at partnerships@ontariotechu.ca
Looking to collaborate on research? Contact us at researchpartnerships@ontariotechu.ca
Connect with ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel here: ace.ontariotechu.ca
Looking to support Ontario Tech and our students? Contact us at advancement@ontariotechu.ca
Sales, support and general information:
acemarketing@ontariotechu.ca
ACE is available for rent to anyone seeking its specialized capabilities including manufacturers, startups, and researchers from Canada, the United States and beyond. Clients have the flexibility to rent the entire facility or specific chambers at globally competitive hourly rates. Additionally, remote real-time monitoring allows customers to test and conduct and oversee testing from anywhere in the world.
