NCNGM Funds Artificial Intelligence in Automation and Manufacturing Project

Students introduce the presentation and demonstration.

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM), in a strategic partnership with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), funded an innovative project to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into manufacturing and robotics over the summer of 2026. This initiative targeted Community College and University students, giving them hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of manufacturing. Dr. Haoyu Wang, Professor and Chair of the Manufacturing & Construction Management Department at CCSU, led the project. Under his leadership, the project built on the foundational research and ongoing efforts from the MET2 Spring 2026 semester project, ensuring continuity and progression in exploring AI applications in manufacturing.

Matthew Zamaria, professor at Connecticut State Community College (CT State) Asnuntuck, explains the collaboration between the university and CT State.

Some key factors contributed to the project's success. One includes Professor Haoyu Wang's attendance at the NCNGM's 2025 Summit, held at FANUC America Corporation, which played a crucial role in cultivating collaborative relationships. During the summit, he engaged with stakeholders from his home state of Connecticut, who expressed a strong desire to connect and work together on initiatives to advance the manufacturing sector. This networking opportunity not only deepened his understanding of the local industry's needs but also helped him offer a location for the 2026 winter intersession MET2 program, ensuring the project would be grounded in relevant local contexts.

Student demonstrates the workflow applications that translate to the equipment demonstrated afterward.

Practical applications of learning from students from CT State Community College Asnuntuck campus and Central Connecticut State University were to form a collaborative team to create an engineering workflow that is both human-supervised and simulation-validated. This workflow seamlessly connects natural-language process requirements with automation architecture, virtual commissioning, and real-world system integration. This innovative approach provides a streamlined interface where a process or manufacturing engineer can articulate a desired application, such as implementing a robotic inspection system using an Allen-Bradley PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and a Cognex camera. In response, the platform automatically generates a comprehensive Automation System Diagram. This diagram identifies the essential components, delineates the relationships between them, and specifies the appropriate industrial communication protocols needed for effective operation.

Matthew Zamaria, professor at Connecticut State Community College Asnuntuck, introduces the students.

Through this project, students are not only gaining invaluable technical skills but also advancing manufacturing practices by integrating AI technologies. The initiative shows how educational institutions can collaborate with industry leaders and research centers to prepare the next generation of engineers and technologists for the challenges and opportunities ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of manufacturing and robotics.

Student showcases the AI workflow diagram for the automation project.

Professors and students involved are as follows: Dr. Haoyu Wang from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and Professor Mathew Zamaria from Connecticut State Community College (CT State) Asnuntuck.

Tyler Brown, Daniel Polgun, Rumman Shahzad, and Eldin Bukalo from CCSU; Gregoire Gerard, Aiden McGraw, John Tzoumas, and Chad Holmes from CT State Asnuntuck.

National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing team and supporters are as follows:

Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, Director and Principal Investigator of the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM); Wendy Robicheau, Assistant Director of the NCNGM; and Marco Taverner, Community Engagement Coordinator of the NCNGM. Professor Eric Flynn, CT State Gateway; Andrew Angle, retired high school teacher; and Diego Angles, graduate of CT State Manchester, now enrolled at the University of Connecticut (UConn).

Central Connecticut State University and CT State Community College students pictured with the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing team at the demonstration of their AI in Manufacturing Summer 2026 Project.