NTU Singapore, Delta Electronics establish $24m advanced robotics lab

Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and Delta Electronics, a global provider of IoT-based Smart Green Solutions, have joined forces to establish the Delta-NTU Corporate Lab for Advanced Robotics.

With a total investment of $24 million, this collaborative lab is a testament to their ongoing partnership in research and development of advanced technologies.

Supported under Singapore’s National Research Foundation’s Research Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 plan, the lab will dedicate three years to developing next-generation technologies that address the challenges posed by labor shortages in the manufacturing and intralogistics industries. Intralogistics refers to the internal flow of goods and materials within a company’s site.

As businesses transition into Industry 5.0 and the world grapples with a shrinking workforce due to an aging population and declining birth rates, collaborative robotic systems are poised to become essential. These systems will include robots inspired by human touch, capable of adjusting their grip to handle a wide range of materials, from fragile glassware to volatile chemicals.

Additionally, the lab will focus on the development of smart sensing technologies, radar systems, and 3D sensors. These advancements will enable autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to navigate dynamic environments with human traffic, such as hospitals and warehouses.

Yancey Hai — Delta Electronics Chairman said: “We are honoured to further our long-term cooperation with NTU following the success in the field of cyber-physical systems, especially as our new joint Delta-NTU Corporate Lab for Advanced Robotics has earned the support of Singapore’s RIE 2025 initiative.

“We intend to leverage Delta’s smart manufacturing prowess and autonomous mobile robot know- how, as well as our Delta-NTU R&D talent to develop essential technologies for the next-generation of autonomous mobile robots. The innovation milestones of this lab will help multiple industries solve key challenges, enhance Singapore’s long-term resilience, and improve the quality of life of its citizens.”

NTU Singapore, Delta Electronics establish $24m Delta-NTU Corporate Lab for Advanced Robotics. Photo courtesy of Delta Electronics Int’l (Singapore) Pte. Ltd./PR Newswire Asia Ltd.

The launch of the joint lab took place in a ceremony attended by Alvin Tan, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade & Industry, Professor Ho Teck Hua, President of NTU, and Yancey Hai.

The collaboration between NTU Singapore and Delta Electronics is expected to drive significant advancements in robotics and automation, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future across various industries.

Professor Ho Teck Hua said: “This corporate lab with Delta Electronics proves that NTU’s research activities are industry relevant. The lab creates opportunities for us to translate our research into impactful, real-world innovations. This is in line with the NTU 2025 strategic vision, to harness the power of digital and advanced technologies to support the discovery of new knowledge and promote better learning and living experiences.”