Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME), Columbus, Ohio, opened the new Artificially Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Lab (AIMS) to tap into the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the future of manufacturing.

The 1,500-square-foot lab space sits on the university’s west campus, and entails three Yaskawa robot arms that stretch from floor to ceiling.

The AIMS lab was developed with input from industry, national defense and energy laboratories and university experts. It’s said to be a first-of-its-kind test site for industry and academia to study and develop manufacturing systems that work with, and are controlled by, different types of AI.

“The AIMS lab aims, pun intended, to be the bridge to these two communities, and provide each of them an environment that would be difficult to create on their own,” says Michael Groeber, associate professor in the Department of Integrated Systems Engineering.

Groeber and Walt Hansen, senior lead engineer for student programs within CDME, jointly manage the lab. Groeber and Hansen developed a testbed to engage engineering, business and social science departments from across Ohio State University’s campus.

“What is happening here with Ohio State and the College of Engineering is exactly what needs to happen here in Ohio – collaborating with industry partners, working to build the talent of the future, innovating and trying to find ways to be competitive and serve their customers,” says Husted.

“As an educational institution, that is just an amazing call we have. How do we begin to change and think about the workforce of the future?” says Morley Stone, senior vice president of research. “I think this [lab] has the great benefit of showing that we can adapt and drive that future for the state.”