It’s been four years since the Cox Connected Environments Collaboratory at ASU was first announced at the 2019 Smart Region Summit. From supporting campus research to transition ASU to a smarter vehicle fleet, testing cutting-edge technology and networks and giving students opportunities to learn and grow – these are just a few of the ways in which the Collaboratory has innovated in an effort to grow a smarter, more connected campus.
Entering its fifth year, the Collaboratory has thrived by combining the industry leadership of Cox with the research capability of ASU. So much so that it’s time for growth; in 2023, the Collaboratory is expanding its vision from campus to the community.
“At the core, the partnership and ethos of both Cox and ASU are the same – we want to expand upon connected environments,” said Curtis Buschor, program manager at the Collaboratory and Cox Communications. “The structure and the mission [of the Collaboratory] remain the same, but what’s changing is a greater, more expansive vision to make an impact in the local community….to make an impact in the world.”
Buschor joined the Collaboratory last year, bringing with him experience in operations and organizational management, with extensive knowledge in leading safety and fleet management projects. “I wanted to break down silos to focus on the impact and how we can drive change for the community,” said Buschor.
One focus of the Collaboratory that will not change, Buschor confirms, is its dedication to investing in students. One of the goals for this year is to increase the number of student interns at the Collaboratory, and to have them more involved in sharing their opinions in workshops and focus groups to bring unique perspectives to the Collaboratory. “Students have the ability to bring a diversity of thought – as we think about the types of technologies we’re working on and how it impacts communities, it’s valuable to have a diversity of perspectives,” Buschor continued.
A perfect example of this dedication to providing unique opportunities for ASU students is Rachel Hayden, former intern and now project coordinator for the Collaboratory. Through projects like testing video analytics to improve bicycle parking on campus, Hayden earned real-world work experience that continued her interest from college to career.
“The Collaboratory gave me a chance to give back and utilize the skills that I was able to grow in my internship,” said Hayden. “The experience taught me to take chances and risks; otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”
While the team will continue to talk with customers and solution owners to find what problems need to be solved, the Collaboratory is ready to actualize its expanded vision, by working with ASU research teams, students and partners to advance human-centered, smart solutions that will create change for the local ASU community and beyond.