UCalgary researcher improving manufacturing performance and automation has standout 2025

2025 has been an interesting year for the Schulich School of Engineering’s Dr. Jihyun Lee, PhD, whose research expertise was recognized by international organizations including XPRIZE.

Lee’s research focuses on applications in manufacturing, mechatronics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensors. But when referring to the robots used in Lee’s research, don’t picture WALL-E or Optimus Prime; picture instead articulated robots and intelligent automation systems that are being used to increase productivity in manufacturing and machining for the oil and gas, automotive and aerospace industries.

“I listen to the problems of companies and then from the problem I find the motivation for my research,” says Lee. This includes a research collaboration with a manufacturer of parts for drilling equipment used in the oil and gas industry.

“They had been manually assembling those parts every day through human labour, and it’s a waste of time and money. We have been working on automating this process through our mechatronic, AI and vision technologies for improvement.”

Several ongoing research projects in Lee’s lab include exploring how to make robotics smarter and stronger to support industrial applications.

This past spring, the associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering was invited to be a member of the XPRIZE Deep Tech Braintrust.

As part of the 2025 Global Braintrust, Lee’s expertise was used to identify breakthrough ideas that contribute to the ideation and design of future XPRIZE competitions. Her work started in May when the XPRIZE Canada Hub hosted the first meetings of the Braintrust at UCalgary. Then commenced hours of virtual collaboration before Science Conclave in Washington D.C., with the work of the Braintrust culminating this past October in Malibu, CA, at Visioneering. 

Visioneering is XPRIZE’s premiere event where the bold prize concepts developed by the Braintrust are voted on to move forward into the design of a future XPRIZE competition.

“Being part of the 2025 Global Braintrust and discussing the key issues the world must address was a new and memorable experience for me. Watching experts from academia and industry present their ideas at the Science Conclave gave me a valuable chance to reflect on where the world should be heading in the digital and robotics fields.”

Lee also received a Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. This fellowship recognizes researchers from across the globe with an exceptional academic record to conduct research in Germany. 

Lee will be heading to the Technical University of Munich on Feb. 1, 2026, for the first of three short-term research visits over the next three years to explore predictive maintenance of industrial robots.