What is being described as a substantial four-year research partnership between Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd, Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software and Munster Technological University, has been launched this Monday by Education Minister Norma Foley.
The project will develop and expand Liebherr’s existing systems for smart cranes which help to safely and efficiently move millions of shipping containers around the world every day.
Minister Foley said the research project brings together two leaders in the field of research and development and shows the importance and the value of industry-academic collaborations.
She noted that since its formation in 2005, Lero has established itself as a world leader in software research and continues to underpin Ireland’s outstanding software research reputation.
“This partnership represents a continuation of the decades’ long commitment to research and development that Liebherr Container Cranes has shown which, coupled with its apprenticeship and scholarship programmes, set an example for others to follow, Minister Foley said.
Liebherr’s managing director, Charlie McCarthy, said the partnership would help strengthen the company’s market position and will allow it to remain at the forefront of container crane development.
“We enjoy an enviable reputation for providing cranes of exceptionally high quality. Our ongoing relationship with Lero and the team at MTU enables us to compete on quality and technological innovation building on substantial investment in research and development to help ensure the future success of the company and our customers,” he added.
Mr McCarthy said that innovation and development continue to be the company’s lifeblood, with teams of structural, electrical, software, automation, mechanical and quality engineers developing new products, systems and software that ensure that Liebherr stays at the cutting edge when it comes to technology and product innovation.
Lero researcher, Professor Joseph Walsh, based at the Munster Technological University’s Kerry campus, is leading the partnership with Killarney-headquartered Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd and he said that six full-time researchers would work in close partnership with Liebherr engineers on the project:
President of Munster Technological University Professor Maggie Cusack said the long-standing and fruitful partnership between Liebherr, MTU and Lero gives her great confidence that MTU will further enhance its relationship with manufacturing companies who want to get ahead.
Liebherr is one of the leading manufacturers of container cranes globally, many of which are equipped with extensive automation systems and remote-operation capabilities. The Killarney-based company is a key employer in the south-west with over 800 employees and a long-time collaborator with universities through their research, engineering and IT scholarships and apprenticeship programmes.
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