Alabama plans to build multi-million-dollar robotics center
April 18, 2008
The state of Alabama is planning to build a multi-million-dollar robotics center that will focus on industry training and education. Governor Riley hopes to make Alabama a leader in robot technology education, as well as ensure that industries have the robotics technicians they need for future manufacturing.
Last Tuesday, discussions took place in the towns of Cullman and Huntsville, Alabama, on the location of the new center. Delegates from 14 local industries and representatives from two nearby community colleges - Wallace State Community College and Calhoun Community College - attended the discussions. The center could be located at either of the two colleges.
The center would consist of three plants, each with a specific focus. The first plant would be used for training technicians to work on robotics machinery used in local industries. Top robot companies, such as ABB, Motoman, Kuka, and Mitsubishi, would send trainers and their own robots to the plant, where the trainers would teach technicians how to work with their company's robots.
The second plant, which would be located nearby, would be an R&D facility designed specifically for military, defense, and aeronautics projects. The plant would be within an hour of NASA, eliminating the need for NASA and military scientists in the state to transfer their experiments to the east coast for testing.
The third plant would be an integration facility, which companies could use for short-term training sessions or projects and as a place for building robots for new applications. This facility could also be a training ground for students, with the idea being to provide real-world experience for high school and college students, employing them as interns, apprentices, and staffers.
The center would likely be located at either of the two community colleges, in accordance with the goal to integrate education and industrial training.
Officials are currently selecting an architectural team to design the center, and, once the location has been decided, the first building should be constructed within two years.
via: The Cullman Times
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