Dr. Rafiq Ahmad (P.Eng.) is the Edify’s Top 40 Under 40 Award Recipient for 2022 for his innovations to improve our society.
About Us
Our research group designs and develops Sustainable and Smart Systems/Technologies to enable the Digital Transformation of industries and society. The three major application areas include Manufacturing 4.0, Construction 4.0, and Agriculture 4.0. SMART Lab was formerly known as LIMDA and was established in 2016 at the University of Alberta, Canada.
Open Positions
We are looking for interested Postdoctoral fellows, PhD students and MSc students to support the research group in multiple projects related to design and development of robotic and additive manufacturing systems.
Research Themes
The Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Laboratory engages in bridging the gap between fundamental research in Design and Manufacturing and its advanced applications in industry. The core research direction is to design, develop, optimize, and engineer intelligent and resilient manufacturing and production systems or processes aiming toward four significant research pillars:
Our Research
Smart Manufacturing
We are advancing the future of manufacturing by integrating Industry 4.0 and 5.0 principles, where cyber-physical systems, AI-driven automation, and human-machine collaboration redefine productivity and innovation. Our research focuses on smart product design and intelligent manufacturing systems that are highly interoperable, transparent, and adaptive to novel and extreme applications. We develop next-generation production technologies that enhance efficiency, performance, and sustainability through digitalization, waste reduction, and advanced materials.
Industrial Robotics
We are driving the future of autonomous manufacturing by developing intelligent robotic systems and platforms that eliminate human intervention in dirty, dull, and dangerous tasks. Using digital tools, computer vision, AI-driven machine learning, and advanced industrial robotics, our research focuses on creating smart, self-adapting automation that enhances safety, efficiency, and precision in production environments.
Green Technologies
We are shaping a sustainable manufacturing future by integrating Industry 4.0 technologies to drive zero-waste production. Our research focuses on developing autonomous systems, intelligent machines, and digital tools for repairing, remanufacturing, and recycling (3R) of materials, extending the lifecycle of critical components while minimizing environmental impact.
Sustainable Production
We run the world’s first engineering-driven research and training facility dedicated to autonomous, sustainable food production. AllFactory integrates Industry 4.0 technologies, automation, and AI-driven monitoring to develop high-efficiency vertical farming systems. By combining aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil-free plant cultivation), aquaponics enables a zero-waste nutrient cycle, significantly reducing water, energy, and fertilizer consumption compared to traditional farming methods.
Our Impact
We are a global community of researchers and engineers, generating innovative applications with a focus on intelligent and eco-friendly solutions.
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Members & Alumni
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Publications
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Events
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Academic & Industry Partners
Our Collaborative Venture
Interested in Knowledge Transfer?
PiTech Academy is a collaborative ecosystem and network, uniting academia and Industry on a shared platform, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and pioneering research to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in embracing Industry 4.0 (smart manufacturing) and sustainable practices and technologies.
SMART Lab 