An assistant uniting university and industry

Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayça Kumluca Topallı, a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), has become a stakeholder in the ‘AI-Supported Smart Production Assistant’ project, which has been launched with a grant of 7.5 million Turkish lira from TUBITAK. Within the scope of the project, which is a strong example of university-industry collaboration, Asst. Prof. Dr. Topallı will provide consultancy support during the development of a smart production assistant to be created specifically for the globally recognized brand Beko. The ‘smart assistant’, targeted for completion within two years through the development of special software, will minimize productivity losses at facilities and ensure a high standard of production quality. IUE alumni Mert Can Basut and Pelin Balkaya will also support Asst. Prof. Dr. Topallı throughout the project.

The TUBITAK Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Call Contract Signing Ceremony was held with the participation of Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, and TUBITAK President Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın. IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu also attended the ceremony, which brought academia and industry together. Expressing his happiness about being a partner in the project as the University, Prof. Dr. Abacıoğlu wished success to the entire team. Providing further details on the project, Prof. Dr. Ayça Kumluca Topallı stated that the work will be carried out in partnership with Beko, Visea Innovative, Izmir University of Economics, and the TUBITAK BILGEM Artificial Intelligence Institute.

“A GREAT MODEL WILL EMERGE”

Emphasizing the importance of the project and their goal of developing a strong model, Asst. Prof. Dr. Topallı said, “We will develop an AI-based smart production assistant software tailored specifically for Beko. This assistant will help increase time efficiency and manage the workforce in the best possible way. We will share more detailed information about the project in the future.”

“THE KEY TO COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION”

Pointig out that knowledge today is as valuable a production factor as capital, Prof. Dr. Topallı stated the following: “Universities are among the most important institutions where knowledge is produced, developed, and shared with society. Industry, on the other hand, is where this knowledge is transformed into products, services, and value. Therefore, university-industry collaboration, which brings together knowledge and production, is the key to sustainable development, competitiveness, and innovation. I place great importance on the project and feel both happy and proud to support the efforts.”