This project will create the UWRF Dairy Mechatronics Space, a hands-on innovation hub focused on helping researchers and students turn ideas into practical solutions for the dairy industry. Located in the Ag Engineering Annex, the space will bring together tools for rapid prototyping, robotics, and artificial intelligence to address growing needs for automation and smart sensing in the Wisconsin dairy industry.

The funding will support five specialized work areas, including fabrication tools, electronics and control systems, robotics, and AI development. Together, these resources will allow users to quickly design, build, and test new technologies such as automated feeding systems, environmental monitors, and animal health sensors. By combining engineering, agriculture, and data science in one space, the project aims to improve farm efficiency, support animal well-being, and prepare students with the skills needed for the future of dairy innovation.