CRC'25 Panel - From Pilots to Lead Customers: Empowering Municipalities in the Age of AI-Robotics скачать в хорошем качестве

CRC'25 Panel - From Pilots to Lead Customers: Empowering Municipalities in the Age of AI-Robotics

This panel explores how municipalities can transform from passive test sites into powerful lead customers, shaping a robotics and AI industry that serves their strategic interests and national priorities. Moving beyond the familiar terrain of one-off pilot programs, this discussion tackles the financial realities faced by cash-strapped municipalities. It will draw on real-world examples in last-mile delivery, logistics, and housing development construction. Panelists will share their insights on designing and implementing programs that not only test new technologies but also create a path to long-term adoption and a demonstrable return on investment. The conversation will cover how cities can leverage public-private partnerships (PPPs) and regulatory authority to drive innovation that addresses critical needs, such as affordable housing, infrastructure inspection and maintenance, and efficient urban logistics. Acknowledging the lessons learned from past urban tech initiatives, this panel will offer a candid look at how municipalities can shift from bearing a broad array of financial burdens — from the initial cost of pilots and infrastructure overhauls to the long-term expenses of maintenance, regulation, and workforce training— to actively shape a market that serves their strategic interests and supports broader national priorities. This will include a discussion on the essential role of federal and provincial alignment and support, using a major industrial cluster strategy as a model for how municipal, private sector, and government interests can converge. The aim is to explore how municipalities can be empowered to become proactive partners and drivers of a thriving, locally-focused robotics ecosystem. __ This panel took place on October 9th, 2025 at the Canadian Robotics Council's 2025 Symposium in Kingston Ontario. https://roboticscouncil.swoogo.com/sy.... Learn more about the Canadian Robotics Council and hot to become at member at: https://www.roboticscouncil.ca/ __ Moderator Joshua Marshall , Professor, Queen's University Speakers Nhung Nguyen , CEO, Horizon Legacy Construction Automation Corp. Craig Desjardins , Director, Office of Strategy, Innovation & Partnerships, City of Kingston Sharif Virani , Head of Growth, Real Life Robotics Jason Wong , Manager, Industries and Government Practice (Western Canada), Optimus SBR Bios ____ Dr. Marshall is a robotics engineer, educator, and consultant with expertise in data-driven control systems engineering, mobile robotics, autonomous vehicle navigation and mapping. He has a special interest in and experience with autonomous robot applications in mining, space, marine, and defence, as well as in other harsh-environment applications. His R&D work is featured in the From Earth to Us exhibit at the Canada Science and Technology Museum and has been commercialized through companies such as Epiroc (formerly Atlas Copco), Peck Tech Consulting (acquired by Caterpillar) and spin-off RockMass Technologies (now GroundedAI). Craig Desjardins is the Director of the Office of Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships at the City of Kingston, and leads the development and integration of strategy and innovation activity across the corporation and in the community including the new Integrated Economic Development Strategy. He also oversees the workforce development and in-migration strategy implementation, smart cities initiatives and is the Accountable Executive for the Kingston Airport. Nhung Nguyen is the CEO of Horizon Legacy, transforming a seven-decade-old company into a leader in construction technology and robotics. She holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Ottawa, studied Environmental Management at Harvard University, and has experience with autonomous underwater vehicles. Under her leadership, Horizon is building the first and largest neighborhood in Canada using on-site robotics. Nhung has created Canada’s first Construction Automation Lab, facilitating collaboration between industry, academia, and government to advance construction technologies. Sharif Virani builds the next generation of Canadian robotics companies: commercial-first, human-centric, and sticky by design—to deliver real customer value and lasting societal impact. Jason Wong is a management consultant with Optimus SBR, a leading North American consultancy working across strategy, transformation, and economic development. He specializes in developing sector and cluster strategies that connect emerging technologies with traditional industries to drive competitiveness and growth. Recently, Jason supported the development of the AI x Construction & Engineering (AIxCE) Strategy, a first-of-its-kind initiative led by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and Government of Alberta.