Advancing Autonomous Technologies for Advanced Manufacturing in Mississippi
Regional Innovation Engines Development Award
Project Number 2305517
Award Description
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The goal of the Regional Innovation Engines Development Award is to advance the manufacturing ecosystem by developing and integrating smart, autonomous technologies positioning Mississippi for a greater share of the technological revolution and enhancing U.S. industrial competitiveness.
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The award brings together like-minded partners from industry, academia, economic development, state, and communities to improve productivity, develop new technologies, upskill the workforce, fuel startups, attract new industries, and help existing industries grow.
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The project will be a platform and vehicle for coordination among project leadership and regional stakeholders that understands how to maximize and deploy all available resources.
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The project will pilot new approaches to prioritizing user-inspired research based on regional manufacturing needs.
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The project’s success is based on understanding the shared challenges of industries, leveraging stakeholders’ capacities, and enhancing regional coordination.
Anticipated Outcomes
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Increased competitiveness of regional industries through the integrations of smart, autonomous technologies, development of new products, and adoption of Industry 4.0 practices.
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Frameworks and processes that advance solutions based on user-inspired research, university-industry-community partnerships, human capital development, and technology commercialization.
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Industrial and workforce innovation that is sustained and supported by stakeholder coordination impacting Mississippi’s most rural areas.
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A regional ecosystem prepared for a Type 2 Engine.
Initial Partners
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MSU Advanced Research and Development Corporation, Lead partner
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Accelerate MS
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Mississippi Department of Employment Security
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Aurora Flight Sciences
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Aria Group
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Taylor Machine Works
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Milwaukee Tool
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Steel Dynamics
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Camgian Corporation
Organizations
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CREATE Foundation
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FORGE Foundation
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Mississippi Manufacturers Association Manufacturing Extension Partnership
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Mississippi State University
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University of Mississippi
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East Mississippi Community College
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Greater Starkville Development Partnership, Golden Triangle Development LINK, East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, North Mississippi Industrial Development Association
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VisionFirst Advisors
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ERDCWERX
SmartTech MS Technology Conference Showcases Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Innovations
Manufacturing technical staff, plant managers, and industry leaders explored emerging technologies and high-tech operational solutions that are reshaping modern manufacturing during the inaugural SmartTech MS conference.
"Industries were willing to share, and they wanted to learn from each other," said Julie Jordan, Vice President of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University, about the conference held on January 23, 2025, at the NISSAN Training Center in Canton, Miss.
Survey data found that most respondents who attended the conference were extremely satisfied and achieved their goals of learning about new technologies and exploring solutions to existing manufacturing challenges.
"One of the most important takeaways is that they are using this conference to develop industry 4.0 strategies that can be implemented in their manufacturing facilities,” said Tonya McCall, Director of the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems – Extension at Mississippi State University, emphasizing the conference’s practical impact.
With 88 attendees representing 52 companies—both large and small—the conference fostered dynamic discussions on integrating advanced solutions into operations. The event featured four expert-led panels covering:
- The Current State of Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing
- Autonomous Technologies in Industry 4.0: Revolutionizing Modern Manufacturing
- Vision Systems in Smart Manufacturing: Enhancing Precision, Quality, and Automation
- AI in Smart Manufacturing: Driving Innovation and Productivity
Beyond panel discussions, breakout sessions delved into specialized topics such as collaborative robots (cobots), digital twins, virtual safety, and AI-driven predictive maintenance. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge advancements, including autonomous mobile robots and the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network’s role in workforce development.
The organization operates through an Engines Development Award investment from the National Science Foundation in partnership with the Mississippi State University Advanced Research and Development Corporation.
For more information, contact Tonya McCall at tmccall@cavse.msstate.edu .
October 7, 2024 - Community Stakeholders Convene to Discuss Strategies to Accelerate Advanced Manufacturing for Mississippi.
CEO, SmartTech MS
Dr. Julie Jordan, President of the MSU Advanced Research Development Corporation and Vice President of the MSU Office of Research and Economic Development, will oversee the execution of the NSF Regional Innovation Engines Development Award guiding collaboration and coordination for a robust advanced manufacturing ecosystem. As project CEO, she will chair the governing board, comprised of North Mississippi regional leaders from public and private partners.
Management Team
Partners
