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Verify and Validate your Robotics Solution

Connected Robotics Living Lab

Submit Your Project Proposal for Funding and Living Lab Access

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Connected Robotics Living Lab: Canada’s Premier Robotics Accelerator

Located on uWaterloo’s campus, the Connected Robotics Living Lab is Canada’s robotics research and validation accelerator. Their state-of-the-art facility can simulate complex, real-world environments across various fields to help you evaluate and deploy your robotics solution.

The University of Waterloo’s RoboHub is a cutting-edge robotics research and innovation facility for collaborative robotics development and testing. As part of one of Canada’s leading engineering universities, RoboHub leverages uWaterloo’s world-renowned expertise in artificial intelligence, computer science, and mechanical engineering to advance robotics applications across multiple industries.

The facility features advanced simulation capabilities, collaborative workspaces, and specialized testing environments that enable researchers, students, and industry partners to prototype, validate, and refine robotic systems in controlled settings.

Through its integration with uWaterloo’s broader research ecosystem and strong industry connections, RoboHub translates academic research into practical, commercially viable robotics solutions.

Infrastructure and Offerings

The Connected Robotics Living Lab offers state-of-the-art validation and development services with a breadth of wireless communications infrastructure, including full 5G and LTE network coverage across multiple frequency bands, 60 GHz WiGig capabilities, and complete hardware support.

The indoor facility also has high-resolution indoor positioning systems for accurate location tracking and autonomous systems validation.

The lab also has both indoor lab spaces and outdoor validation areas, including the AVRIL building parking lot with Class G airspace for drone operations, plus campus-wide access with approval.

The Connected Robotics Living Lab powered by RoboHub and Rogers enhances the validation environment with robot and drone fleet rentals, theatrical lighting systems for advanced scenarios, powered gantry infrastructure, and high-precision sensor networks, creating a complete solution for your robotics, autonomous systems, or connected technology development and validation.

*All project submissions are welcome. Please let us know how your company can leverage the Living Lab.

Submit Your Project Proposal

Expand Your Verification Capabilities with Premium Robot Rentals

Take your verification and validation to the next level. Access cutting-edge robotic equipment to optimize your project.

Available Equipment

Available Equipment

  • Collaborative arms, including robots from Kinova Robotics, Kuka, Franka Emika, and others
  • Humanoids, including full-size bipeds from PAL Robotics and small-scale bipeds from Aldebaran Robotics

  • Indoor and Outdoor Wheeled systems, including a range of Clearpath Robotics platforms from ATV to RC car sizes
  • Indoor and Outdoor Drones, including outdoor camera platforms from DJI and indoor systems from Quanser

  • High-speed positioning system, both in the main facility and a mobile system to be used elsewhere
  • A variety of sensors and other robotics-related hardware, which can be reserved for use

*All project submissions are welcome. Please let us know how your company can leverage the Living Lab.

Submit Your Project Proposal

Expert Support from Canada’s Leading Robotics Researchers

Access world-class expertise to maximize your verification and validation outcomes and accelerate development. Get support from Canada’s premier robotics and automation researchers, ensuring your project benefits from expert knowledge and proven methodologies.

Applied Technology Expertise Across Every Robotics Domain


Manufacturing & Industrial Applications

  • Advanced Manufacturing and Construction
  • Automation and Controls
  • Mechatronic Systems
  • Flexible and Soft Robotics

AI & Autonomous Systems

  • AI and Machine Learning
  • Autonomous Vehicles
  • Cognitive Robots
  • Embedded Systems and Sensors

Human-Centered Robotics

  • Human-Robot Interaction
  • Exoskeletons and Assistive Devices
  • Robotics in Healthcare and Rehabilitation
  • Robotic System User Experience and Accessibility

Advanced Research Applications

  • Humanoid and Legged Robots
  • Robotics in Art, Design, and Architecture
  • Societal Impact of Robotics and Automation

 

*All project submissions are welcome. Please let us know how your company can leverage the Living Lab.

Submit Your Project Proposal

Potential Project Types at the Connected Robotics Living Lab

The comprehensive services offered allow you to verify, validate, and scale your robotic solution. From delivery robots navigating urban sidewalks to drone swarms coordinating complex commands, the Connected Robotics Living Lab provides the controlled, yet realistic, environments your robotic solution needs to succeed.

The Connected Robotics Living Lab offers targeted verification and validation scenarios designed around your specific needs, supporting the complete spectrum of robotic applications. Whether you’re developing public safety and security systems, entertainment platforms, or defence operations, the Connected Robotics Living Lab ensures your solution performs flawlessly when it matters most.

Human-robot interaction isn’t an afterthought. It’s fundamental. The Connected Robotics Living Lab can help you validate your safety protocols, social interactions, and adaptive behaviours to ensure your robotic solution works seamlessly alongside people and other robots.

The validation processes cover everything from gesture recognition and voice command response to complex multi-agent coordination, giving you the confidence to deploy systems that enhance human capabilities.

Potential Project Types

  • Robotic System Monitoring and Coordination
  • Autonomous Delivery Robot Navigation for Last-Mile Logistics
  • Smart Building Operation
  • Fleet Coordination System
  • Ground Vehicles for Public Safety and Emergency Response
  • Drone-Assisted Traffic Surveillance
  • Delivery and Cargo Drop System
  • Human-Robot Social Interactions
  • Swarming and Multi-Drone Coordination
  • Robot Safety Validation
  • Multi-Agent System Coordination

*All project submissions are welcome. Please let us know how your company can leverage the Living Lab.

Complete Technology Development Services

Prepare your innovation for market success with our comprehensive end-to-end list of AI and technology services, designed to support your innovation’s journey from concept to deployment.

Complete AI Development Stack

From data preparation and model development to user interface design and regulatory compliance, you’ll get access to integrated services across all layers of AI development. This comprehensive approach ensures AI solutions are not only technically robust but also user-friendly, compliant, and market ready.

Specialized Testing & Hardware Solutions

Access cutting-edge testing facilities for robotics, IoT, and communication systems, plus flexible hardware-as-a-service options. Specialized testing services ensure your innovation performs flawlessly in real-world conditions while rental programs provide cost-effective access to high-performance computing resources.

IP Protection and Certification Support

Navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property and AI governance with confidence. From patent filings to the ISO 42001 AI governance certification, these services help protect your innovations and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Explore the Full List of Services

Connected Robotics Living Lab: Advisory Services

Get strategic guidance from on-site staff to ensure every aspect of your project runs smoothly.

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Project Preparation & On-Boarding

Planning sessions to optimize your testing approach

Custom test protocol development

Risk assessment and mitigation strategies

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Design Validation Consulting

Technical review and optimization recommendations

Performance benchmarking against industry standards

Regulatory and certification guidance

 

 

*All project submissions are welcome. Please let us know how your company can leverage the Living Lab.

Submit Your Project Proposal for Funding and Living Lab Access

Call For Proposals

Explore Available Project Funding and Proposals

View the Full List of CENGN’s Current Call for Proposals

Get the Funding You Need for Your Project

CENGN’s Living Lab initiative provides access to funding through two streams:

Innovation Projects

Startups and scaleups test and validate their solutions for market entry and commercial growth.

Up to $250,000 in funding available.

Adoption Projects

Startups and scaleups partner with a prospective customer to validate their innovative solutions for the customer’s specific requirements.

Up to $500,000 in funding available.

Learn More about CENGN’s Living Lab Initiative

Take on a Specialized CENGN Intern

Need Extra Support for Your Project?

Accelerate your project by accessing specialized talent through the CENGN Living Lab Internship Program.

Whether you need support before, during, or after your organization’s living lab project, CENGN’s internship program connects you with the critical technology and/or business skills to stay competitive.

Need help? CENGN can direct you to suitable funding agencies that can subsidize your internship costs. CENGN can also support you, from paperwork to student matching.

Learn More about Living Lab Internships

Does your company qualify for a CENGN Project?

 

✅Less than $50M in revenue

✅ Based in Canada, with fewer than 500 employees

✅ Technology level must be TRL 4 and above

Apply for Your Living Lab Project

About the Living Lab Initiative and CENGN

Currently supported by the Canadian Government’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) helps startups and scaleups bring their solutions to market. CENGN provides the resources and technical expertise to test and validate their innovative solutions while developing tech talent through its internship programs.

Since 2014, CENGN’s programs have created nearly 12,000 Canadian jobs, contributed $1.15 billion to Canada’s GDP, supported over 300 internships with a 97% employment rate, and completed over 230 commercialization projects to build Canada’s position and expertise in the global technology landscape.

Learn More About the Program

About the Connected Robotics Living Lab

Learn more

Contact

Do you have a question about the Connected Robotics Living Lab or the CENGN Living Lab Initiative?

With a passion for industry development, Lisa Klimstra is the Senior Manager of Business Development for CENGN. She’s responsible for leading all aspects of the Business Development function and is an advocate for CENGN’s Living Lab initiative, which provides the services, expertise, and infrastructure required to test and validate network technology solutions.

For questions about partnership opportunities or program applications, please contact Lisa at [email protected].

Connected Robotics Living Lab

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Test and validate your robotics solution with the Connected Robotics Living Lab
Submit Your Project Proposal for Funding and Living Lab Access Back to Living Labs