A unique artificial intelligence (AI) technology co-developed by Resolute and FORAC, a Quebec-based research consortium comprised of Laval University, forest products companies and governments, was selected as a finalist for an Innovation Award from the Association pour le développement de la recherche et de l’innovation du Québec (ADRIQ). ADRIQ is a provincially-funded organization that supports technological innovation in Quebec and fosters partnerships between decision-makers. The technology could revolutionize lumber drying operations at sawmills.
Using mathematical models and AI algorithms that consider thousands of variables, the new system reduces the time required to plan the lumber drying process from an hour to about five minutes. Industrial engineering student Vanessa Simard was instrumental in developing the technology while pursuing a master’s degree from Université Laval. She spent two years working at our Mistassini (Quebec) sawmill, collaborating closely with Resolute planners to bridge the gap between the industrial and academic worlds. This one-of-a-kind technological advance was made possible by the joint efforts of the FORAC researchers and Resolute employees.
We congratulate all of the finalists of ADRIQ’s 28th Annual Innovation Awards Gala.
