As artificial intelligence transforms the manufacturing landscape, Wayne State University is preparing engineering students by providing direct access to the technologies reshaping the industry. Through practical work with robots, automated conveyor systems, machine vision, and generative AI, students within the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering are learning how to build smarter, more flexible, and more efficient manufacturing systems.

This hands-on training centers around IntelliMake, a new research hub and pilot-scale factory being developed in partnership with Kyndryl. The initiative directly supports Michigan’s manufacturing economy, where state estimates indicate that roughly 75% of manufacturing jobs will require upskilling as automation and artificial intelligence become more widespread. Responsible AI adoption across the state could potentially generate up to $70 billion in economic impact and support 130,000 jobs, making the creation of a skilled workforce an urgent priority.

Learning by Doing in the IntelliMake Lab

To bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial needs, instructor Raj Sohmshetty and co-director Dr. Ratna Babu Chinnam redesigned the IE 6000: Digital Automation course to combine classroom learning with practical experiments in the IntelliMake lab. Traditional industrial robots follow rigid programs for repetitive tasks, but slight variations in part position or geometry can cause traditional setups to fail.

Inside the lab, students work with robots, a conveyor system, and a laser engraver to explore how AI agents, machine learning, and computer vision can help machines recognize surroundings and adapt to shifting conditions. Rather than merely programming a sequence of movements, students investigate how automation can achieve greater autonomy and flexibility.

Real-World Outcomes and Career Placement

The hands-on approach is already translating into career opportunities for graduates. During the fall 2025 term, a cohort of about 10 students spent significant time experimenting in the lab, with several subsequently securing roles at prominent companies. Among them is Gokula Kumaran Kiruthiga Gopal, an artificial intelligence master's program graduate who landed an AI engineer position at Panasonic.

Kiruthiga Gopal credited the IntelliMake experience with helping secure the job, noting that demonstrating edge AI work and a team-developed factory-monitoring system resonated with the employer. Integrating machine-learning models, working with cameras, and handling intelligent systems directly prepared him for his current professional responsibilities.

Upskilling Working Professionals

Beyond traditional degree paths, the facility serves working professionals looking to update their skills. Approximately 70% of students in recent Digital Automation cohorts are currently employed engineers and automotive professionals.

  • Sushant Lingras: An operations manager for PHINA (formerly Delphi Technologies) pursuing a master's in AI, Lingras developed an AI-powered agent for his workplace that helps employees quickly access plant information, eliminating manual data-entry tasks and reducing administrative delays.
  • Derek Stringfellow: An applications analyst at the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), Stringfellow uses his lab insights to explore and propose human-centric automation and technology opportunities for upcoming water and wastewater projects.

Because experimenting with unproven methods on an active factory floor can disrupt production, the controlled environment of IntelliMake allows students and professionals to test ideas, observe how systems fail, and refine solutions safely. As the facility continues to develop, Wayne State plans to expand the curriculum into modern quality control, production control, facilities design, and operational optimization.