Nanyang Technological University and IoT specialist Delta Electronics have established a S$24 million advanced robotics lab to conduct research and development of advanced technologies. Supported under Singapore’s National Research Foundation’s Research Innovation and Enterprise 2025 plan, the lab will develop over three years next-generation technologies aimed at overcoming labour shortage challenges for manufacturing and on-site industrial logistics.

The new lab is the latest in a series of collaborations between NTU and Delta Electronics. In 2016, the Delta – NTU Corporate Laboratory for Cyber-Physical Systems was launched with a focus on using cyber-physical systems to build technological capabilities for use in Smart Manufacturing and Smart Learning. In 2018, the lab was expanded to accommodate more research activities.

Over five years, the team has filed seventeen patents, of which eight have been issued, and submitted over 200 papers to journals and conferences. It has also supported more than 140 NTU research staff and graduate students, as well as scientists and engineers from the Delta Research Centre in Singapore.

Projects have included a universal smart navigation system where logistics robots autonomously move goods around factory floors, and a learning analytics technology to improve learning effectiveness in the education industry. These innovations, test bedded on NTU’s Smart Campus, are now being scaled up for wider adoption in the industry.   

Tzi-cker Chiueh, General Director of the Delta Research Centre, said: “We have secured various patents through our collaboration with NTU Singapore. These achievements demonstrate the high potential for commercialisation of the technologies we have developed together. Some of these patents relate to 3D mapping and localisation for automated guided vehicles, human tracking and re-identification, and robotic arm manipulation techniques. This intellectual property will serve as a solid foundation for this new lab, and thus, we look forward to working together to meet the complex needs of several industries.”

NTU President, 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.”

Yancey Hai, Chairman, Delta Electronics 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.”