The SDG Innovation Network is proud to contribute to a research partnership between Alstom, Université Laval’s Lab-Usine, UQAM, and ÉTS, announced in a press release on September 17, 2026. The initiative mobilizes the expertise of researchers from the SDG Innovation Network to advance the use of artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 technologies in the Canadian rail sector.

This applied research program will develop and test innovative solutions in real industrial environments, including intelligent welding, robotics, augmented reality, manufacturing data usage, and AI-assisted design.

Beyond the technological advances, this partnership highlights the strength of collaboration between industry and Québec universities. It will strengthen the manufacturing competitiveness of Québec and Canada while supporting the development of 11 highly qualified professionals who will contribute to shaping the future of innovation.

As Éric Rondeau, Director of Innovation for Alstom in Canada, stated: “In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, partnerships between universities and industry are powerful drivers of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. By combining cutting-edge research, emerging talent, and our operational needs, this strengthened collaboration with the SDG Innovation Network will enable us to master smarter processes, optimize our production chains, and transform data into tangible benefits for our industry and customers. These methods and solutions can also be replicated and deployed across other Alstom sites worldwide.”

This announcement also marks a new milestone in a collaboration that began in 2019. As Jonathan Gaudreault, Director of Université Laval’s Lab-Usine and member of the SDG Innovation Network, noted, this partnership confirms the value and impact of a relationship that is already generating concrete benefits for Alstom, the Lab-Usine, and the SDG Innovation Network.

To learn more, you can access the Alstom press release as well as the Québecor article.