Providing innovative solutions to industry challenges in the electromechanical engineering and textile, apparel design and manufacturing sectors

乔治布朗学院（GBC）的ARTP活动将由GBC产品开发交流（PDx）和时尚交流（FX）进行，前者提供机电硬件产品和工艺创新的创新解决方案，后者通过产品和工艺创新解决纺织品和服装的挑战。这些研究领域在大多伦多地区（GTA）的需求很高，这体现在广泛的市场研究和我们的合作伙伴的浓厚兴趣，他们被咨询以确定基于可行性，合作伙伴参与和商业影响的拟议ARTP研究主题。机电工程和纺织，服装设计和制造（TADM）行业已经被全球化，数字化，新技术和，此外，TADM行业还面临纺织品污染和企业重新转移生产以减轻供应链风险、质量和可持续性问题、交货期长和生产过剩等问题。于二零二零年，29. 4%的加拿大制造商因COVID-19而裁员80%，行业利润暴跌高达93%。虽然这两个部门的中小企业都渴望采用新技术并适应新的可持续性标准，但由于缺乏专业知识和设备，大多数中小企业都无法做到这一点。在COVID-19后的全球市场中，GTA机电制造公司面临的挑战是：1）设计和开发创新的新产品，以应对不断变化的消费者态度和新的公共安全要求，以及2）拥抱流程改进，包括采用和适应技术，以及新的产品开发工作流程，以支持远程工作和物理分离。纺织品和服装公司继续面临以下迫切需求：1）增强纺织技术、服装特征、结构和设计的功能性，以减少纺织品污染; 2）为残疾人、着装挑战、独特的功能性需求，或新的非-ARTP研究计划将允许GBC的PDx和FX支持当地企业解决这些挑战。该计划将在两个主题下进行：1。机电硬件的产品和工艺创新; 2.纺织品和服装的产品和工艺创新。每个主题将包含两个次主题和四个项目，详见提案文件。

The ARTP activities at George Brown College (GBC) will be carried out by the GBC Product Development Exchange (PDx), delivering innovative solutions in electromechanical hardware product and process innovation, and Fashion Exchange (FX), solving textile and apparel challenges with product and process innovation. These research areas are in high demand in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), demonstrated by extensive market research and keen interest from our partners who were consulted to identify the proposed ARTP research themes based on feasibility, partner engagement and business impact.The electromechanical engineering and textile, apparel design and manufacturing (TADM) sectors have been disrupted by globalization, digitization, new technologies and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic; in addition, the TADM sector struggles with textile pollution and companies reshoring production to mitigate supply chain risks, quality and sustainability issues, long lead times and overproduction. In 2020, 29.4% of Canadian manufacturers laid off 80% of their staff due to COVID-19 and industry profit collapsed by up to 93%. Although SMEs from both sectors are eager to embrace new technologies and adapt to new sustainability standards, capacity to do this is out of reach for most due to lack of expertise and equipment. In a post-COVID-19 global market, GTA electromechanical manufacturing firms are challenged to 1) design and develop innovative new products that respond to changing consumer attitudes and new public safety requirements, and 2) embrace process improvement, including the adoption and adaptation of technologies, and new product development workflows to support remote working and physical separation. Textile and apparel firms continue to face the acute need to 1) enhance functionality in textile technology, garment features, construction, and design to reduce textile pollution, and 2) create innovative clothing adaptations for persons with disabilities, dressing challenges, unique functionality needs, or new non-stigmatizing designs that provide independence and comfort.The ARTP research program will allow GBC's PDx and FX to support local businesses in addressing these challenges. The program will be carried out under two themes: 1. Product and process innovation in electromechanical hardware, and 2. Product and process innovation in textile and apparel. Each theme will contain two sub-themes and four projects, as detailed in the proposal document.