A new partnership between the University of Waikato and software experts Company-X will open pathways for researchers to have an impact in the fields of transport and infrastructure, primary industries, smart manufacturing and management.
University of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Alister Jones says the partnership is a great opportunity for the University to bring its global expertise to commercial projects.
“We have a strategic vision for the University to work with private companies for the benefit of the community and country – this new partnership with Company-X is an excellent example of this," says Professor Jones.
The partnership’s first project will focus on transport and infrastructure by leveraging data to enhance the speed and effectiveness of decision-making for asset managers responsible for maintaining infrastructure such as roading, water and energy.
It will combine research and expertise from the University’s School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, School of Engineering, Artificial Intelligence Institute, and Waikato Management School.
L-R: Company-X Co-founders and University alumni David Hallett and Jeremy Hughes
Company-X CEO and Co-founder, and University alumnus Jeremy Hughes, says the management of physical infrastructure assets, particularly in the transport sector, is a global challenge.
“According to Statista, countries spent between 0.2% and 4.8% of total gross domestic product (GDP) on Inland Transport Infrastructure in 2021. However, within that spending, the ability to make evidence-based decisions can become complicated if the data is disconnected, inefficient, or insufficient,” says Jeremy.
Hughes envisions working with the University to develop a system that integrates advanced asset management data visualisations with world-class AI, enabling asset managers to make more efficient and effective decisions on road maintenance and renewal.
“There is huge opportunity, given the wealth of high-quality data in the transport domain, for training AI models to surface insights needed to make informed and efficient investment decisions. Given the University is recognised internationally for its work in AI, it makes sense to partner with them to explore the potential of this.
“By enhancing the decision-making process we will be aiming to improve asset managers’ ability to invest the right amount of money and time into the right asset to gain maximum efficiency. It's a technical evolution that will not only benefit individual asset managers but also strengthen the industry as a whole."
Company-X Co-founder, and University alumnus David Hallett, says the University’s ability to provide insights across multiple sectors was critical to forming the partnership.
“Our partnership will contribute to Hamilton City’s ‘Tech in the Tron’ reputation and attract skilled professionals where they can achieve great things with technology,” says David.
“Waikato is a hub of innovation. The University is a world-leader in AI, and Company-X has the potential to be world leaders in transport informatics. Hamilton is primed to advance its global impact. The talent and potential in the Tron is diverse, connected, collaborative and boundless, and we are excited to continue to mark our spot on a critical global sector.”
The AI infrastructure platform is the first interdisciplinary project that the University and Company-X is conducting to deliver impact across New Zealand and the globe.
