A shared training platform where learners build deployment-ready robotics capabilities through direct practice, from foundations to a final challenge festival.
Industrial automation is moving beyond isolated robotic cells toward connected, intelligent, and human-centered systems. Alberta needs people who understand not only robot programming, but also sensing, AI, mobile robotics, digital twins, safety, ergonomics, and integrating people with automated systems. The bootcamp creates a shared training platform where learners can build those capabilities through direct practice.
Bridge the gap between classroom theory and deployment-ready robotics skills.
Create a common training environment across Alberta’s post-secondary robotics ecosystem.
Expose participants to multiple robot classes, software environments, sensing technologies, and application domains.
Develop human-centered automation skills aligned with Industry 5.0 principles: collaboration, resilience, sustainability and intelligence.
Strengthen pathways between students, researchers, technical professionals, employers and startup innovators.
Enable applied, team-based problem solving around real industrial challenges in manufacturing, construction, energy, logistics, healthcare, agriculture and automation.
The three-day program progresses from foundations to system diversity and finally to an experiential challenge festival. Participants learn core concepts, work directly with robots and simulation tools, rotate through specialized stations, then integrate their learning in a final challenge with technical deliverables and a short presentation.
Registration, experience survey, safety requirements, software setup instructions and team-interest selection.
A common technical foundation and a baseline hands-on challenge.
Equipment rotations to broaden platform exposure and build confidence.
A focused challenge track, mentorship, demonstration and presentation.
Certificate, resource pack, feedback survey, networking follow-up and optional pathways to internships, research projects or advanced training.
Kinematics, TCPs, motion, workcells
AI, vision, sensing, data fusion
Cobots, ergonomics, safety, human-centered design
Simulation, digital twins, integration, optimization
Each partner brings equipment from its own labs. Exact models and station assignments will be confirmed closer to the event.
Path programming, TCP, tool changing and palletizing.
Rotation A · University of AlbertaForce control, safety zones and hand-guiding.
Rotation B · SAITProcess concepts, programming workflow and guided teach-through.
Rotation C · Red Deer PolytechnicUGV navigation, collision avoidance and autonomous navigation with point clouds.
Day 1 and Rotation D · NAITObject detection, scene understanding and AI-driven inspection.
Day 1 · NAITVirtual programming and human–robot workcell design.
Day 2 · industry partnerBy the end of the bootcamp, participants will be able to:
The bootcamp is designed for a mixed cohort so that technical learning is reinforced by cross-sector exchange and collaborative problem solving.
In manufacturing, construction, energy, oil and gas, logistics and related automation-intensive sectors.
In engineering, engineering technology, computing, applied sciences and skilled technical programs.
Faculty members, laboratory staff and technical instructors working in robotics, AI, controls, mechatronics or automation.
Product developers and innovators building robotics-enabled products or services.
Technology providers and technical leaders interested in talent development, applied research and demonstration opportunities.
The following agenda provides a complete planning framework: exact speakers, equipment assignments and station capacities will be confirmed during partner planning. All times are Mountain Time.
| Time | Session / Activity | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| 8:00–8:45 am | Registration, breakfast & lab safety check-in | All partners |
| 8:45–9:15 am | Welcome, land acknowledgment, partner introductions & bootcamp orientation | University of Alberta |
| 9:15–10:00 am | Opening keynote: Human–Robot Synergy for the Industrial Robotics Era | UAlberta / Industry keynote |
| 10:00–10:15 am | Break | |
| 10:15–11:00 am | Industry 5.0 foundations: human-centric automation, resilience, sustainability, intelligence & collaboration | University of Alberta |
| 11:00 am–12:15 pm | Industrial & collaborative robot fundamentals: robot anatomy, frames, joints, DOF and workspace. Kinematics for robotics: forward/inverse kinematics and singularities with live examples | University of Alberta |
| 12:15–1:00 pm | Lunch & networking | All |
| Afternoon | ||
| 1:00–2:15 pm | Rotation A: Industrial 6-DOF robots (path programming, TCP, tool changing, palletizing) | University of Alberta |
| 2:15–2:30 pm | Break / transition | |
| 2:30–3:30 pm | AI for robotics: object detection and scene understanding | NAIT |
| 3:30–4:15 pm | AI-driven inspection and detection systems | NAIT |
| 4:15–5:15 pm | UGV navigation in a simulated environment | NAIT |
| 5:15–5:30 pm | Day 1 debrief, learning check & Day 2 briefing | Program leads |
| Time | Session / Activity | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| 8:00–8:20 am | Arrival, coffee & safety briefing | Host team |
| 8:20–8:30 am | Day 2 orientation and station assignments | Program lead |
| 8:30–10:30 am | Rotation B: Collaborative robots (force control, safety zones, hand-guiding) | SAIT |
| 10:30 am–12:30 pm | Rotation C: Collaborative welding robotics (process concepts, programming workflow, guided teach-through and demonstration) | Red Deer Polytechnic |
| 12:30–1:15 pm | Lunch & industry technology showcase | All / Industry |
| Afternoon | ||
| 1:15–2:30 pm | Rotation D: Collision avoidance and autonomous navigation using LiDAR point clouds | NAIT |
| 2:30–3:15 pm | Rotation E: Humanoid / emerging robotics demonstration (subject to host equipment) | To be announced |
| 3:15–3:30 pm | Break | |
| 3:30–4:30 pm | Simulation-based learning: virtual programming, digital twins and human–robot workcell design | Industry partner (to be announced) |
| 4:30–5:30 pm | Robot programming challenge (simulation) | Industry partner (to be announced) |
| 5:30–5:45 pm | Debrief & Challenge Festival team formation | Program leads |
| Time | Session / Activity | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| 8:00–8:30 am | Arrival, team setup & mentor check-in | All partners |
| 8:30–9:00 am | Challenge briefings, judging criteria, safety gates & deliverables, team formation | Challenge leads |
| 9:00–10:30 am | 4 Parallel Challenges (details)
|
Challenge leads (per track) |
| 10:30–10:45 am | Break | |
| 10:45 am–12:15 pm | 4 Parallel Challenges continue | All |
| 12:15–1:00 pm | Lunch & mentor office hours | All |
| Afternoon | ||
| 1:00–2:30 pm | 4 Parallel Challenges continue | All |
| 2:30–3:00 pm | Pitch preparation | Teams |
| 3:00–4:15 pm | Final demonstrations and team presentations | Judging panel |
| 4:15–4:30 pm | Judging deliberation & participant reflection | Judges / Program leads |
| 4:30–5:00 pm | Industrial Robotics Awards & certificate distribution, closing | All partners |
Build it, demonstrate it, present it.
Teams integrate everything from Days 1 and 2 into a working robot solution, then demonstrate and present it to a judging panel.
A concise explanation of the team’s robot solution and design intent.
A live or recorded demonstration of the working system.
Technical reasoning: programming, sensing, safety, integration, and trade-offs.
A clear statement of how the solution improves human–robot collaboration, productivity, safety, or sustainability.
Awards and certificates are presented at the Day 3 closing ceremony.
Registration is open
September 1–3, 2027 · University of Alberta, Edmonton · Questions? Contact the organizers
