Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com DECEMBER 2024/JANUARY 2025 7 S SIT REP Under a new project arrangement, Canada and Australia com- mit to collaborative research and development in support of next generation defensive solutions to defeat these threats. Under this agreement, Defence Research and Development Canada and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group will collaborate on research to understand emerging missile threats, as well as develop detection, monitoring, tar- geting and counter-measure technologies. Through this collaboration, Canada and Australia will ben- efit from access to expertise, experience, unique facilities and cost-effective joint research trials, which will fast-track under- standing of advanced missile technologies and inform next- generation defence solutions. Canada and Australia are each contributing up to $237 mil- lion CAD over five years toward the total project arrangement value of $474 million CAD (cash and in-kind contributions). Joint Statement on Canada-Australia Partnership on Emerging Missile Defence Research The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence of Canada at the Halifax International Security Forum. Image source: https://x. com/HFXforum/status/1860064205363380545 The position, known as the Seaspan Chair in Robotics for Marine Vessels, bridges UBC's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with its Department of Mechanical Engineering. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the complexity and col- laborative nature of robotics research, particularly in develop- ing mobile robotic platforms for diverse applications. Dr. Adrien Desjardins, a distinguished researcher in sens- ing and robotics, has been appointed to this role. His work spans multiple fields, including machine learning, innovative sensing technologies, and autonomous robotics designed for navigating intricate environments. These advancements have practical implications for marine and ocean sciences, as well as biomedical applications. Dr. Desjardins will lead cutting-edge research and instruc- tion in areas such as adaptive sensing, autonomous naviga- tion, underwater inspection, and environmental monitoring. Additionally, his work will explore collaborative robotic sys- tems, or "swarms," that operate in tandem to achieve shared objectives. Over the next five years, Seaspan will contribute $1 million to this initiative, with UBC matching this invest- ment through its President's Academic Excellence Initiative, bringing total funding to $2 million. The potential impact of robotics on marine vessel opera- tions is immense, particularly in enhancing efficiency and sustainability throughout a vessel's lifecycle. As global inter- est in autonomous systems and collaborative robotics grows, Canada's expertise in this field could unlock substantial op- portunities in international markets. UBC's Faculty of Applied Science is dedicated to addressing climate challenges and fostering collaborations that drive in- novation. This new faculty chair will tackle pressing research challenges, such as deploying drones and autonomous sys- tems for environmental impact assessment, vessel perfor- mance monitoring, and marine inspections. By combining expertise in robotics, advanced sensing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, the initiative aims to create transforma- tive solutions for the maritime sector. Seaspan's funding for this role aligns with its broader commit- ment to innovation and sustainability under Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy. By investing in partnerships like this, the company is not only advancing technological capabilities but also nurturing the next generation of engineers and research- ers poised to shape the future of Canada's marine industry. Through this collaboration, Seaspan and UBC are setting the stage for cutting-edge advancements that promise to revolu- tionize the way marine vessels operate and contribute to a more sustainable and technologically advanced maritime industry. Pioneering Marine Innovation: UBC and Seaspan Launch New Robotics Faculty Chair Dr. Adrien Desjardins, a distinguished researcher in sensing and robotics, has been appointed the Seaspan Chair in Robotics for Marine Vessels.

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