University of Huddersfield and TWI Ltd Partner to Launch Two New Innovation Centres Focused on Engineering and AI Solutions

A shared commitment to driving engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that create real-world industrial impact has led to the establishment of two new Innovation Centres: the Precision Engineering Innovation Centre and the Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre. These centres are the result of a first-time partnership between the University of Huddersfield and TWI Ltd, marking a significant step in fostering innovation in key technological areas.

The contract signing ceremony, held on 16 December at the University of Huddersfield’s campus, was attended by Professors Tim Thornton, Parik Goswami, Simon Parkinson, and Andrew Longstaff from the university, alongside Warren Bath, James Kern, and Chris Milligan from TWI Ltd. The event marked the formal launch of the two centres, which aim to develop cutting-edge research and technology capabilities in their respective fields.

The University of Huddersfield has built a strong reputation for producing internationally recognized research with a focus on addressing global challenges. With around 20,000 students, the university earned a Gold rating in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2023 and has consistently ranked among the top institutions for staff holding doctorates and higher degrees. Its apprenticeship provision was also graded Outstanding by Ofsted.

TWI Ltd, a global leader in research and technology, has more than 75 years of experience in engineering innovation. The organization specializes in welding and joining, manufacturing, advanced coatings and materials, asset integrity management, and non-destructive testing (NDT). TWI works closely with SMEs, large companies, universities, and other research organizations to foster collaborative research and development (R&D), securing funding for new technology projects.

A Vision for Future Research and Collaboration

The creation of the two new Innovation Centres aims to generate cutting-edge research, develop future-focused technical strategies, and secure funding through initiatives like Horizon Europe and UK Research & Innovation. These centres will create long-term sustainability by generating a portfolio of collaborative projects, providing access to new skills and technologies.

The Precision Engineering Innovation Centre will focus on machine tool technologies, manufacturing machine design and control, dimensional metrology, surface metrology, and precision manufacturing at various scales. The Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre, on the other hand, will drive the development of autonomous systems, machine learning (ML), AI applications, and technologies related to planning, decision-making, and visualisation.

Professor Parik Goswami, Director of Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Huddersfield, said: “It is truly inspiring to witness how these centres merge the expertise from the university and TWI to create practical solutions with significant impact. The collaboration between fundamental and applied research will provide a competitive advantage for stakeholders in precision engineering and applied AI, fostering innovation and facilitating knowledge transfer.”

Chris Milligan, Section Manager of Research and Innovation Operations at TWI Ltd, added: “We are excited about the joint R&D opportunities ahead in the fields of precision engineering and applied AI. These centres will deliver solutions that benefit both industry and society, while also providing new capabilities and insights for TWI’s industrial members.”

This partnership between the University of Huddersfield and TWI Ltd represents a major step forward in advancing both precision engineering and artificial intelligence, with the potential to significantly impact industries worldwide.