Neptec Design Group Ltd. is receiving up to $500,000 from a new program to fund R&D projects in the Canadian auto parts industry. The Ottawa-based 3D sensor and laser inspection systems maker will work with uOttawa and Honda Canada, among other partners, to build a prototype of an automated laser scanning system for detecting minor damage to automobile bodies acquired during assembly. Under the program, Automatic Ding & Dent Detection and two other projects will split $3.5 million in funding, of which $1.5 million will be awarded by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association and Ottawa’s not-for-profit Precarn, which funds emerging technology. Created in May 2007, the Collaborative Auto R&D Program is meant to help smaller automotive parts suppliers develop innovative, operational prototypes for the auto parts industry.