Sweet Home Alabama, the popular 2002 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, may take on a new meaning for the robotics industry now that state officials cut the ribbon to open the Alabama Robotics Technology Park (RTP). This is just the first of a three-phase, $73 million state robotics development initiative located in Tanner, Ala.
The project had been under development for three years. A September ribbon cutting was postponed on short notice after RTP managers realized the facility wouldn’t be completely finished. The initial facility, Phase 1, officially opened on November 10, 2010, and work is now under way on subsequent phases.
The RTP is the brainchild of outgoing Governor Bob Riley in conjunction with nearby Calhoun Community College in Decatur. It is intended to help grow the already significant robotics manufacturing community within the state. Governor Riley envisioned the RTP as a collaborative effort among the state of Alabama, Calhoun Community College, Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), and robotics industry leaders across the nation. Governor Riley cannot run for governor again due to terms limits.
Robots and the Law
First Contact: A Primer on Robots, the Law and Humans
Robots, the Workplace and the Law
The Drone Debates: New Rules for a New Frontier
Top Transactions
All of the robotics industry’s top reported orders, sales, investments, mergers & acquisitions and financial events of 2012 now available in one downloadable doc!
Finally, UK Funds Big Boost in Robotics: $55M
$10.7M Series A to Airware for Universal OS and Platform for Drones
Multi-head Camera Patent for Seegrid
Brazil, iRobot & Terrorist Threats Equal $7.2M Robot Sale
