TMHNA Program to fund two research proposals

One of the biggest forklift manufactures, Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA), has selected two university’s research proposals to receive funding through its  2020 University Research Programme.

TMHNA announced the recipients of grant funding during a joint press conference at MODEX 2020 held in conjunction with Material Handling Institute (MHI). The research proposals selected for funding include:

Dynamic Capacitive Wireless Charging System for Autonomous MH Vehicles.  Proposal Author: Prof. Khurram Afridi, Cornell University.

Material Handling for Industry 4.0 in Small and Medium Enterprises.  Proposal Author: Prof. Jorge Dorribo Camba, Purdue University.

The sponsored research program was created to drive the next generation of technology for the supply chain, logistics and material handling industries. The program encourages university professors and researchers to apply their knowledge of engineering and technical fields, drawing synergies and collaboration between collegiate research and TMHNA.

The University Research Program, now in its fourth year, attracted a record 44 research proposals from 30 leading universities across the country.  “Our University Research Program is reflective of Toyota’s mission to solve challenges creatively,” said Brett Wood, TMHNA president and CEO. “In partnering with leading universities, we seek to foster industry-led innovation by combining our resources and guidance with the fresh and new ideas coming out of academia. Together in the spirit of collaboration, we hope to build a better, safer, more efficient future for the material handling industry.”