Autodesk Research and University of Toronto Receive Synergy Award for Innovation from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Autodesk Research is dedicated to innovation and discovery of new technologies to help solve some of the world's most complex design problems, from pressing ecological challenges to the development of scalable smart infrastructure. Autodesk Research is studying a broad range of topics -- from methods to help users learn powerful digital prototyping tools, to visualization and simulation techniques that enable designers to achieve new levels of performance. Advancing the state of the art in human-computer interaction, computer graphics, and digital design technology, Autodesk Researchers collaborate openly with researchers at leading universities around the world.

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A 20-year partnership between the University of Toronto and Alias/Autodesk Research has made Canada a leader in the expanding field of visual modeling used in film, animation, architecture, medicine, and a variety of other fields. Begun by Eugene Fiume at the University of Toronto’s Dynamic Graphics Project and Gordon Kurtenbach and Bill Buxton from Autodesk, this unique partnership has produced volumes of research, dozens of highly skilled computer scientists, and numerous patents and awards that include a Technical Academy Award and an Academy Award nomination for Film Animation. More than 100 papers have been co-authored by Autodesk Research and alumni from the University of Toronto. Autodesk Research has provided many diverse opportunities for internships across many disciplines, including computer graphics, human computer interaction, physical simulation, green initiatives, and computer aided geometric design, with many interns from the University of Toronto ultimately being employed at Autodesk in Toronto. Over 100 graduates of the University of Toronto have worked at Alias/Autodesk with more than half still at the company.

The Synergy Awards for Innovation were launched in 1995 by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) to recognize partnerships in natural sciences and engineering research and development between universities and industry. Since their inception, the awards have honored the most outstanding achievements of university-industry collaboration in the natural sciences and engineering. Winners receive $200,000 research grants. Way to go team!

Celebration is alive in the lab.