Introduction: Where Vision Meets Innovation
At Quanser, we have always believed that transformative engineering education thrives at the intersection of visionary institutions and cutting-edge technology. That belief has come to life in a bold new way through our multi-year partnership with one of the world’s premier engineering schools — Purdue University’s College of Engineering.
On May 14, 2025, we joined Purdue leadership in celebrating the launch of the Quanser Autonomy Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to redefine how autonomous and connected systems (ACS) are taught, experienced, and advanced through research. This collaboration is more than a milestone — it’s a shared commitment to shaping the next generation of engineers and advancing the frontier of autonomy, IoT, and robotics.
Why Purdue? Why Now?
Ranked among the top engineering schools in the world, Purdue University is widely recognized for its rigorous curriculum, outstanding faculty, and relentless focus on innovation, so for Quanser, the partnership was a natural one, striking that transformative intersection. As noted by Dr. Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering:
“The partnership with Quanser represents a significant advance in our continuing drive to nurture the nation’s largest and best-prepared engineering talent pool. Quanser is an ideal partner in our efforts to invest further in training the next generation of engineers in the booming field of autonomous and connected systems.”
This partnership builds on Purdue’s integration of Quanser technology across multiple departments. Together, we’re scaling that impact through immersive learning environments that combine academic excellence with real-world relevance.
Creating Immersive Learning — At Scale
Digital-Twin Enabled Virtual Labs
The first major initiative under this partnership is the integration of Quanser’s Digital Twin-enabled simulation infrastructure into Purdue’s professional master’s degree programs in Autonomy, IoT, and Robotics, offered through the Institute for Control, Optimization and Networks (ICON).
“These virtual labs will provide real-world scenarios modeled within an easy-to-use simulator with high-fidelity graphics,” said Dr. Shreyas Sundaram, the Marie Gordon Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and co-director of ICON. “They allow online students to experiment with autonomy, even if they can’t be physically in the lab.”
Seamless Theory-to-Practice Integration
Students engage with simulations of self-driving vehicles, robotic arms, and aerial drones — all connected to physical Quanser equipment on campus, enabling seamless theory-to-practice application.
From Accelerated Education to Research — and Beyond
The Quanser-Purdue partnership isn’t limited to the classroom. It is also a research accelerator.
“This partnership provides abundant opportunity to enhance our research activities in ACS,” Sundaram added. Quanser’s robust, well-designed platforms enable researchers to rapidly prototype and test new algorithms in autonomy and control.”
Just as importantly, the accessibility and flexibility of Quanser’s platforms lower the barrier to entry for engineers and students developing programming and systems integration skills. This means universities can draw from a broader and more diverse pool of learners — empowering more individuals to innovate, build impactful solutions, and contribute meaningfully to real-world challenges in automation, robotics, and intelligent systems.
This collaboration will also extend to joint industry training programs, K-12 outreach, and global conferences on autonomy and robotics.
A New Model for Academic-Industry Partnership
As Dr. Milind Kulkarni, the Michael and Katherine Birck Head and Professor in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and academic lead for the Robert H. Buckman College of Engineering Online Education Program, emphasized: “This facility will position Purdue as the premier institution for autonomy education in the country.”
This lab represents a co-branded, co-invested platform for continuous innovation across undergraduate, graduate, and professional education.
Quanser CEO, Paul Gilbert sums it up: “Quanser and Purdue are perfectly matched with a shared vision to transform engineering education and to produce the most highly qualified engineers in the world.”
Why Academic Leaders Should Take Note
This partnership demonstrates how institutions can:
- Rapidly scale next-generation engineering programs
- Provide hands-on, digitally enabled experiences
- Accelerate research-to-impact pipelines
- Build strategic partnerships to elevate teaching and scholarship
How Your Institution Can Lead the Change
At Quanser, we are proud to be the engine behind this innovation, and we are actively seeking to collaborate with more institutions that share our passion for reimagining engineering education. This work is more urgent than ever.
A global shortage of engineers is a pressing issue, with projections indicating a shortfall of millions by 2030. In the United States, for example, it’s estimated that nearly a third of engineering roles go unfilled each year. These gaps are not just numbers — they represent critical bottlenecks in innovation, infrastructure, and national competitiveness. By working with forward-thinking institutions like Purdue University, Quanser is helping to close this gap by delivering scalable, modern, and deeply practical engineering education experiences.
If you’re ready to transform your engineering programs and inspire the next generation of innovators, we’d love to talk. Reach out to explore how Quanser can help you bring your vision to life.
