Midi SDG – A Monthly Webinar Series for Sustainable Innovation

The SDG Innovation Network is proud to launch Midi SDG (Lunch& Lurn), a new monthly webinar series designed to spark dialogue, foster interdisciplinary exchange, and showcase innovative initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each month, experts from academia, industry, and the community will share insights on key challenges and opportunities related to sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation. Join us for an inspiring and engaging lunchtime session that fuels collaboration and action!

Lunch & Learn

🗓️ September 16, 2026
Adopting Augmented Reality in Manufacturing for Task Assistance
🎤 Presented by Mohamed Rami Latreche, DBA, in collaboration with the Research Center for Intelligent Organizations (CROI) at the Université de Sherbrooke.

An opportunity to discover the possibilities offered by augmented reality in manufacturing environments and exchange ideas on its applications for task assistance.

For more details: L&L_September 16, 2026


🗓️ May 26, 2026
Improving the Operational Management of Shared Tools in a Manufacturing Workshop Using a Digital Twin
🎤 Presented by Chloe Samuel a collaborator of Professor Jean-Francois Audy  at UQTR.

Summary: Manufacturing companies frequently use shared tools in their production operations, resulting in tools moving between workstations and the tool crib. This project demonstrates, through simulation, the potential of digital twin technology to improve tool management. A discrete-event simulation model was developed to compare two scenarios: one incorporating tool-tracking technology and another without it. The results were then analyzed using performance indicators to assess the impact of tool tracking on tool management.

For more details: L&L_May 26, 2026


🗓️ April 28, 2026
The Potential of RFID for a Montreal-Based Non-Profit Organization: The Case of the Online Grocery Store BocoBoco
🎤 Presented by Professor Matthieu Gruson at UQAM.

Summary: This presentation explores the relevance and feasibility of implementing a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system to manage returnable containers at BocoBoco, a zero-waste grocery store that has been operating in Montreal for several years. BocoBoco’s customers place their orders online at the beginning of the week and receive their groceries in returnable jars on Thursdays or Fridays. Managing returned containers is particularly time-consuming, as each jar must be counted manually to ensure that customers receive the correct deposit refund. Although time-consuming, this step is essential to maintaining customer trust. BocoBoco is therefore seeking a solution to reduce the time required for this process. The presentation covers preliminary tests on using RFID technology to identify the company’s jars and explores how the container-return process could be improved. The results show that RFID tags are available that can withstand the storage conditions of the jars, particularly temperature variations, and that these tags could help speed up the jar-return process.

For more details: L&L_April 28, 2026


🗓️ Avril 14 2026
L&L_ETS-NeurobotAI Development of a measurement tool, data collection, and AI modeling for analyzing powder coating thickness distribution
🎤 Présented by Chaouki Haitam  – collaborator Pr. Lucas Hof de l’ETS.

Summary: The powder coating process is widely used for its durability and low environmental impact, but ensuring uniform coating thickness remains a key challenge for minimizing waste and meeting industry standards. This project proposes a comprehensive approach combining the development of an automated measurement tool, data collection, and the creation of an artificial intelligence model. The system, based on a microscopic cutting tool and a hybrid computer vision pipeline, enables high-precision measurement of coating thickness. The generated data is used to train an AI model capable of predicting the distribution of the electrostatic coating. The system serves as a valuable tool for quality control and industrial optimization.

For more details: L&L_April 14,2026.


🗓️  Mars 17 2026
Robot Control for Powder Coating Process: From Manual Process to Automation Script
🎤 Présented by Zhaohan Zheng, collaborator of Pr. Rolf Wuthrich  from  Condordia University.

During this presentation, Zhaohan Zheng will share lessons from her project exploring the transition from a manual process to an automated solution


🗓️ February 24 2026
Suivi en temps réel des pièces industrielles dans l’environnement de production

🎤 The SDG Network invites you to its upcoming Lunch & Learn webinar “Real-time Monitoring of Industrial Parts in the Production Environment” on February 24, 2026, organized in partnership with the Lab-Usine

When it comes to augmented reality, you imagine immersive glasses, right? Know that there are other options. Jean-Thomas Sexton, a doctoral student under the supervision of Prof. Jonathan Gaudreault will present his clever non-invasive augmented reality system. The projection of information on the work surface helps guide the work of the operators.


🗓️ 20 janvier 2026

Du CAM au SAM: Quand l’Harmonie bat la Précision
🎤  Samuel Rouleau, collaborateur du Pr. Jonathan Gaudreau, de l’Université Laval
Amélioration de la qualité des assemblages par l’harmonisation des erreurs d’approximation dans les processus d’usinage à l’aide d’un générateur intelligent de trajectoires d’outils intégrant les contraintes d’assemblage du produit


🗓️ 10 Décembre 2025
Digital twin for adaptive maintenance and battery charging management: A Real-time synchronization approach

🎤 Hedir Oukassi, Master’s candidate in Industrial Engineering

Organized by the Intelligent Cyber Value Chain Network (CEOSNet) & the Intelligent Cyber-Physical Systems Lab (Lab SCP-I de Polytechnique Montréal).


🗓️ June 10, 2025
Digital Twin in Smart Digital Chain
🎤 Prof. José Fernando Jimenez (Université Savoie Mont Blanc)
Exploring the role of digital twins in smart and connected supply chains.


🗓️ April 15, 2025
Fixtureless Assembly Enabled by 3D Metrology
🎤 Prof. Souheil-Antoine Tahan (ÉTS Montréal)
Innovations in flexible and precise assembly processes in manufacturing and aerospace.


🗓️ March 25, 2025
Holistic User Research for Passenger Drones
🎤 Prof. Andreas Riener (AAMI)
💬 Moderated by Jean-Marc Frayret
User-centered research on acceptance criteria for passenger drones and air mobility adoption.


🗓️ February 19, 2025
Foundation Models for Industrial and Engineering Applications
🎤 Prof. Yaozhu Zhao (Université Savoie Mont Blanc)
Introduction to foundation models (AI/ML) and their applications in engineering contexts.


🗓️ November 26, 2024
Data Streaming & Processing in Production: Do’s & Don’ts
🎤 Prof. Ralf Walthoff
Best practices and pitfalls in real-time industrial data processing.


🗓️ October 29, 2024
Connecting Physical and Digital Worlds: Not So Simple
🎤 Prof. Igor Tchouchenkov (UQAM)
Challenges and complexities of integrating physical systems with digital technologies.