Projets novateurs réalisés

Integrating Symbolic Reasoning and Statistical Perception in Task and Motion Planning

A robot, like any cybernetic system, must perceive it’s world and act upon it to accomplish goals. Most goals are complex and must be broken down into simpler tasks. In the physical world, these tasks almost always require motion to accomplish. But motion itself is far from simple; joint movements must be coordinated, obstacles avoided, physical obstacles respected, and efficiencies maximized. Moreover, this task and motion planning problem is presented in a dynamic and incompletely-known environment. Solving this foundational problem requires high-level background knowledge about the world, understanding of the environment formed from sensory input, reasoning over this information, and low-level motion control for taking action in this environment.
In this project we focus on the integration of symbolic and statistical models for improving applications including perception, action selection, and execution in robots. This project aligns with one of the core research areas at Sanctuary AI, and allows us to further the work necessary to have robots actively participating in dynamic human environments.

Uniting the Métis Nation of BC through values based leadership and strategic culture

The Métis Nation of BC, (MNBC) has been challenged with a sense of division among staff, governance and citizenship. As a result, programming is missing a strategic framework while ministries and chartered communities operate as independent silos. There is a clear and collective desire to rejuvenate Métis culture but without first acknowledging current state and a clear future state (Stroh, 2015), it is difficult to coordinate initiatives within all the cohesive Métis groups in BC. With this united and strategic framework MFCBC will be able to better serve their clients with an authentic understanding of the MNBC citizens’ values.
Through the process of Appreciative Inquiry (Cooperrider, 2005) and dialogical (Bushe, Marshak, Schein & Schein, 2015), solution focused coaching conversations, this project will identify MNBC’s collective values for a common vision to emerge to promote Métis culture and community in BC. In a Métis youth study findings showed that engagement in culture improves the mental health of Métis youth (Smith, 2016). This research idea proposes that a strong connection with core values will surface a shared Métis identity that will serve as a strong foundation for social connection and community. A current understanding of the needs of Métis people in BC will allow MFCBC to align programming appropriately.
Research will include interviews of regional representatives elected in the September 2020 election. This first stage will inform a large group dialogue with individual community presidents to build to unite Métis citizens in BC.

Researcher-in-Residence Initiative in Cultural Mapping, Economic Development, Social Inclusion, and Urban Planning

The City of Kamloops has volunteered to become a living laboratory for the study of community-engaged research and participatory practices in small city urban planning. The three-year Researcher-in-Residence (RiR) Initiative, supported jointly by Thompson Rivers University and the City of Kamloops, affords the City the opportunity to deploy enhanced research resources , with the aim of testing and documenting best practices in (1) community-university research engagement, (2) the integration of cultural mapping to effect more participative and pluralist policy development and planning, and (3) the development of new models for public planning and participatory decision making in small cities.

Analyse des impacts de la disponibilité en eau sur la croissance, le transport de sève (sapflow) et la nutrition des arbres

Les changements climatiques auront des effets importants sur la forêt canadienne. L’augmentation de la température combinée à des précipitations stables pendant la période de croissance, amèneront une diminution du contenu en eau des sols forestiers et augmenteront la probabilité de sécheresse intense dans le futur. Malgré quelques études récentes, les impacts sur les forêts au Canada demeurent relativement peu documentés. C’est pour combler ce manque d’information que ce projet vise à :

A. Déterminer l’impact des variations climatiques sur la croissance et l’utilisation de l’eau à l’échelle de l’arbre en temps réel in situ.

B. Caractériser les impacts des variations climatiques et des sécheresses sur la fertilité des sols et la disponibilité des éléments nutritifs pour les arbres.

Investigation of rut and moisture damage resistant additives for asphalt mixtures

The main goal of this research project is to reduce the rate of occurrence of these distresses by designing and developing improved asphalt binder and asphalt mixtures appropriate for St. John’s environmental and loading conditions. The project will develop recommendations on specifications for asphalt binders, modifiers and asphalt mixtures to enhance the rutting and moisture resistance of pavement.

Marine resilience in the Anthropocene: understanding the adaptive capacity of marine social-ecological systems to change

The ocean is experiencing drastic declines in biodiversity due to the cumulative impact of human activities, including habitat loss, resource exploitation and fossil fuel emissions. These declines in species abundance and diversity have dire consequences for coastal communities whose economic and social systems depend upon healthy oceans. While global analyses of human impacts on marine ecosystems motivate international political action, often coastal communities struggle to make use of large- scale analyses in their decision-making. In this era of global and local change, research needs to be conducted at scales that are meaningful to the entities responsible for implementing local management and adaptation strategies. My research will address this challenge by creating a framework to analyze the adaptive capacity of a marine socio-ecological system to anthropogenic pressures, using a combination of natural and social science methods. With a geographic focus on a glacial fjord in the Salish Sea, Atl’ka7tsem (Squamish Nation place name for Howe Sound), I am partnering with the Squamish Nation and collaborating with local governments, stakeholders and non-profits to conduct a survey and interviews that braid Indigenous, local and western scientific knowledge systems.

Business Strategy Intern

The outcome of the project is to deliver a finished product that is ready to launch. This requires the following critical elements:

Product definition and design (price, size of transaction, returns, security, costing, etc)
Product collateral (communication piece – design, features, benefits)
Market validation (customer and stakeholder input and feedback)
Launch strategy (marketing and communication, distribution channels, strategic alliances and key stakeholders, etc)
Business case and financial plan.

Chatbot Service Intent Mapping Project

Chatbot service intent mapping project will focus on understanding Ada support’s user intent to provide them with the most relevant answer or connect them with the best agent. By collaborating with the Analytics & Insights team at Ada, I will be instrumental in shaping how millions of our customers interact with Ada products. I will be working directly with data engineers, data scientists, ML engineers, and business stakeholders to analyze and synthesize data that can guide Ada’s business and product strategies.

Locations Locketgo Inc

Pour survivre, Locketgo a besoin de s’attaquer aux marchés des immeubles et tours à condo ainsi qu’au commerce de détail. Pour assurer son succès, nous avons besoin d’une ressource de marketing stratégique qui nous aidera à créer un environnement où il sera propice à la force de vente de Locketgo d’écouler ses casiers.

Diversity and Inclusion – Ottawa Board of Trade

By developing a strategy and committee structure to assist businesses in Ottawa embrace diversity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace will be addressed and our neighbourhoods, workplaces, and schools will see the collective benefits of embracing diversity.

Product Strategy Analyst

Corvum is the only VoIP telephone service provider dedicated to the legal industry in North America. COVID-19 has affected our company’s ability to attend in-person conferences, which was our largest source of leads and customers. Because of this, Corvum now faces the challenge of competing against large companies in our industry which have more resources to invest in online marketing, and feature implementation. Our go-to-market strategy is focused on targeting the legal industry niche. COVID-19 has increased the cost reaching out to this market segment. Corvum needs to find the best way to adapt our product to fit the needs of our target segment. An intern who can aid in creating a business/product strategy that allows us to customize our product, gain exposure and compete with limited resources is crucial to the success of Corvum.

We want to hire a Product Strategy Analyst to pivot the way we reach out to potential clients, acquire new leads and to create a client acquisition strategy for competitive positioning. The student would also be analyzing our existing product, and researching ways to tailor it to the legal industry.

Shawcor – Business Strategy Internship

Shawcor wants to work with a team of three MBA students looking for a challenge. Each student will be assigned one of the business segments of pipeline and pipe services, composite systems, or automotive and industrial (connection systems), stretching across all served markets.

1) After they complete an orientation and conduct an in-depth analysis of our company, segment, and its operations, they will also participate in several discovery sessions for their assigned business segment and assist in the development of key findings and observations.

2) Following the segment review the team will work on the enterprise level Shawcor purpose and impact and contribute based on their segment findings and view of the company.

3) Final presentations will be to business segment leaders and Shawcor executives with a December milestone presenting a vision of the future to the board and executive team.