Research for its own sake is a worthy pursuit, but it’s most valuable when that research yields practical applications.
Academic engineers generate a great deal of research, but not everything has to be robotics, simulation and design. Supply chain management, logistics and the material handling industry rely heavily on insights drawn from engineers, particularly industrial and systems engineering.
However, engaging in this research and investigating how to apply its results requires funding.
Enter a new initiative from Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) called the University Research Program (URP). This sponsored research program is launched and funded through TMHNA, which aims to build partnerships with universities across North America.
To that end, TMHNA is seeking research proposals from full-time professors and researchers at North American universities pursing technologies that will benefit the material handling, logistics and supply chain industries.
This program, and others like it, promise to create widespread, long-running project opportunities for engineering professors and their students. Those students will have the chance to work on greater projects, with greater anticipated outcomes, as well as build valuable skills for their future employment and education goals.
TMHNA offers guidelines on its website, including submission requirements. The website states that project proposal themes should aim to advance or innovate the supply chain, logistics and material handling industries in areas that match the technological interests of the program:
- Image recognition
- Deep learning
- Big data analysis
- Predictive maintenance
- Power suits
- 3D metal printing
- Automation and robotics
Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Research must contribute to the fields of supply chain, logistics or materials handling
- Research must be significant, innovative and have a positive impact on these industries
- Research efforts must be well-planned and feasible within the time period specified and budget requested
- Researchers and principle investigators must be qualified in the proposal field of research
TMHNA is accepting proposals until August 31, 2016. Selection of proposals will take place by October 1, 2016, with projects to have an anticipated start date of November 2016.
Selected proposals will receive up to $500,000 per year in financial support, with multiple proposal selections being likely. Depending on research outcomes, faculty funded through the URP may be invited to renew the contract for up to three years.
"It's exciting to see the innovative and dynamic products our industry consistently introduces to the supply chain world. We created this program to foster more innovation for the growth of our industry," said Brett Wood, president and chief executive officer for Toyota Material Handling North America. "The goal of the new TMHNA University Research Program is to draw synergies and collaboration between collegiate research and TMHNA, enhancing our mission to provide our customers with smarter, more efficient, effective solutions."
For more information and to submit proposals, visit the Toyota Material Handling North America University Research Program website.