UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROGRAM ACCEPTING RESEARCH PROPOSALS TO ADVANCE NEXT-GENERATION INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY

Research program adds new concept paper review to support professors and researchers prior to submitting final proposals

GREENE, N.Y., March 18, 2020 — The University Research Program will be accepting proposals beginning April 12, 2021 through November 5, 2021. The Raymond Corporation, a Toyota Industries Company, is sponsoring the University Research Program which was created to encourage and support professors and student researchers to apply their engineering and technical research to discover innovative solutions for the material handling industry.

The sponsored research program is in its fifth cycle of accepting applications for grant funding that can reach up to $500,000. Applicants from North American universities will be evaluated on several criteria, including their possible impact on the future of the material handling industry, timeline and feasibility of budget. Applicants with selected proposals will be announced at MODEX 2022, March 28-31, 2022, in Atlanta.

“We believe new technology and innovative approaches from academia’s brightest and most innovative minds can inspire the supply chain of the future,” said Michael Field, president and CEO, The Raymond Corporation. “Raymond’s investment in the University Research Program is just one way we’re showing our commitment to the next generation of material handling leaders.”

Winning proposals from previous years included projects surrounding automation, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), energy infrastructure, internet of things (IoT) and Industry 4.0. Proposal themes for the 2021-2022 research submissions in the following areas are encouraged, however, given the broad nature of material handling, alternative themes are welcome.

• The Future of Logistics
  Material Handling in an Uncertain Future
  Material Handling in a “Smart City”
  Warehouse Design
  Urban and Suburban Package Delivery
• Improving Material Handling
  Automation and Material Handling
  Advanced Sensors for Material Handling
  Advanced Vision Systems and Material Handling
• Truck and Operation Evolution
  Industrial Design of Vehicles
  Operator Ergonomics
  Neurotechnology Applications in Material Handling

This year, the University Research Program has added a new optional concept paper step in the process. This step is a way that professors and student researchers can connect with the University Research Program reviewers for initial input of their submission. Professors and researchers are encouraged (but not required) to submit a one page concept paper explaining their proposal. Concept papers must be submitted between April 12, 2021 through August 27, 2021 in order to be reviewed.

For more information on the University Research Program, visit  www.universityresearchprogram.com.

About The Raymond Corporation

The Raymond Corporation, a Toyota Industries Company, is a leading global provider of best-in-class material handling products and intelligent intralogistics solutions. Built on principles of innovation and continuous improvement for over 95 years, Raymond’s integrated automation, telematics, virtual reality and advanced energy solutions provide ways to optimize operations and bring warehouse and distribution operations to a new level of performance. Raymond® electric forklift trucks are engineered to achieve increased productivity and efficiency and are designed to provide ecological and economic benefits. Raymond delivers solutions to material handling and logistics markets in North America and globally. Combining operational excellence, award-winning innovation and world-class global customer support, we work together to run better, manage smarter and keep our customers always on. For more information, visit raymondcorp.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.