Waikato University & Company-X join forces on AI project

A new partnership between the University of Waikato and Company-X is set to advance research impact in transport, infrastructure, primary industries, and smart manufacturing.

University of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Alister Jones highlighted the advantages this partnership brings, enabling the University to apply its global expertise to commercial projects.

"We have a strategic vision for the University to work with private companies for the benefit of the community and country – this new partnership with Company-X is an excellent example of this," said Professor Jones.

The inaugural project of the collaboration aims to improve decision-making speed and effectiveness for asset managers tasked with maintaining critical infrastructure, including roads, water, and energy.

This initiative will integrate research from the University's School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, School of Engineering, Artificial Intelligence Institute, and Waikato Management School.

Jeremy Hughes, CEO and Co-founder of Company-X and a University alumnus, spoke on the global challenges facing physical infrastructure asset management, especially in transport.

"According to Statista, countries spent between 0.2% and 4.8% of total gross domestic product (GDP) on Inland Transport Infrastructure in 2021. However, within that spending, the ability to make evidence-based decisions can become complicated if the data is disconnected, inefficient, or insufficient," Hughes stated.

Working with the University, Hughes aims to create a system combining advanced asset management data visualisations and artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making in road maintenance and renewal.

"There is huge opportunity, given the wealth of high-quality data in the transport domain, for training AI models to surface insights needed to make informed and efficient investment decisions. Given the University is recognised internationally for its work in AI, it makes sense to partner with them to explore the potential of this," Hughes added.

He continued, "By enhancing the decision-making process we will be aiming to improve asset managers' ability to invest the right amount of money and time into the right asset to gain maximum efficiency. It's a technical evolution that will not only benefit individual asset managers but also strengthen the industry as a whole."

David Hallett, Co-founder of Company-X and also a University alumnus, emphasised the University's capability to provide critical insights across various sectors as a key factor in forming the partnership.

"Our partnership will contribute to Hamilton City's 'Tech in the Tron' reputation and attract skilled professionals where they can achieve great things with technology," said Hallett.

He further expressed confidence in Waikato's role as a hub of innovation and the collaborative potential between the University and Company-X in transport informatics.

"Waikato is a hub of innovation. The University is a world-leader in AI, and Company-X has the potential to be world leaders in transport informatics. Hamilton is primed to advance its global impact. The talent and potential in the Tron is diverse, connected, collaborative and boundless, and we are excited to continue to mark our spot on a critical global sector."

This AI infrastructure platform represents the first interdisciplinary project undertaken by the University and Company-X intended to deliver significant impact both within New Zealand and internationally.