IMA Group and University of Bologna lab to create prototypes and test new technologies
The University of Bologna and the IMA Group are working together on a joint laboratory, the “Digital and Mechatronic Research & Innovation for Automated Machinery and Systems” formally opens, providing university students with a wealth of educational opportunities.
DIGIMECH (Digital and Mechatronic Research & Innovation for Automated Machinery and System) will serve as a meeting point, aiming to promote innovation, research, and training in strategic and high-tech fields
One of the laboratory’s main aims is to serve as a bridge between academia and industry, fostering innovation, research, and education in technologically advanced fields. It will also contribute to social and environmental sustainability through low-impact ecological projects and support for local industrial networks.
DIGIMECH will focus on several key research areas:
- automation: design and development of high-performance, low-environmental-impact machines and automated lines
- advanced robotics: creation and implementation of robotic systems to enhance automation, flexibility, and precision in production lines
- mechatronics: integration of mechanical, electronic, and IT systems to build intelligent, high-performance machines
- artificial intelligence and big data: use of AI and big data technologies to analyse and optimise manufacturing processes
- additive manufacturing: development of new additive production techniques to enhance process efficiency and product quality
- predictive maintenance: development of technologies for predictive machine maintenance to reduce downtime and improve
productivity - cybersecurity: protection of digital infrastructure and sensitive business data through advanced cybersecurity solutions.
In development areas, the laboratory will serve as a hub for creating prototypes and testing new technologies to assess their performance and reliability; for developing software and algorithms; and for implementing integrated solutions that combine hardware and software to produce highly automated machines and systems.
The Laboratory also aims to provide numerous training opportunities for students at the University of Bologna. It will serve as a space for conducting theses and internships, and as a host for PhD students, research fellows, and researchers working on strategically important scientific and industrial topics.
Professor Marco Carricato, a university representative for DIGIMECH, noted how the initiative represents an “extraordinary opportunity” for the University of Bologna to strengthen its commitment to applied research and innovation.
“Collaborating with an industrial leader like IMA allows us to undertake top-level research projects – from robotics to artificial intelligence, from mechatronics to additive manufacturing – with a strong impact on the industrial and social fabric,” Carricato explained. “Our goal is to create a dynamic and stimulating environment where academic research meets industrial application, offering students and researchers unique opportunities for training and growth. We are confident that this laboratory will significantly contribute to the technological and sustainable development of our country, and we can’t wait to embark on this new adventure.”
Dario Rea, director of research and innovation at IMA Group, said the agreement marks a significant step in the company’s mission
to promote innovation and technological excellence while collaborating with his alma mater to develop solutions in robotics, mechatronics, big data, and more.
“We believe this lab will become a centre of excellence where students, researchers, and professionals can work together on innovative projects, generating value for the entire community and supporting sustainable development,” Rea added.
