Research Progress (SMART Lab)

Dr. Rafiq Ahmad is advancing the frontier of construction robotics through his pioneering research in industrialized
robotics and smart manufacturing. At the University of Alberta, Dr. Ahmad and his team have developed large-scale
industrial robotic platforms dedicated to the smart manufacturing of building components. This platform integrates
robotic arms, gantry systems, and real-time monitoring to enable sustainable construction solutions that reduce
material waste, improve precision, and accelerate productivity in one of the world’s least automated sectors.

His research bridges construction, smart manufacturing, automation, and sustainability, offering pathways to next-
generation building systems that respond to Canada’s urgent housing needs and global calls for low-carbon, circular

construction. Beyond Earth, Dr. Ahmad’s work has also gained international recognition: his spin-off company Waste
Parrot Inc., in collaboration with the SMART Lab (https://rafiqahmads.com/), was selected as the only Canadian
winner in NASA’s LunaRecycle Challenge (Phase I). This project explores how robotic systems, and 3D printing can
recycle waste into usable tools for astronauts—technologies with profound implications for both space exploration
and Earth’s sustainable future.

Contact:

Dr. Rafiq Ahmad, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta

Email: Rafiq.Ahmad@ualberta.ca, Phone: +1 (780) 492 7180,

LinkedIn: Rafiq Ahmad, Ph.D, P.Eng. | LinkedIn

Website: https://rafiqahmads.com/