Rose-Hulman has announced that it has received funds worth $50,000 from the Alcoa Foundation for supporting its initiatives in robotics. This funding will help Rose-Hulman to include new project workstations resembling industrial robotic systems.
Joseph Haniford, VP of global manufacturing for Alcoa Power and Propulsion, has stated that enhancing the skill-set of future innovators and labor force is the common goal of both, Alcoa Foundation and Rose-Hulman. He mentioned that the robotic workstations will offer students with analogous conditions faced in production environments, enabling additional enhancements in production and improved robotics. He added that it is important to offer the latest tools to students for enabling them to investigate the challenges encountered in the industrial environment.
Rose-Hulman offers hands-on experience to their students, enabling both graduates and students to offer innovative contributions to the latest technology-related workplace. With the help of workstations, students will gain practical knowledge regarding the utilization, selection and applications of industrial robotics technology.
David Fisher, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has mentioned that applied robotics is a major subject in their multidisciplinary robotics certificate programs. He added that every year, more students are showing interest in robotics and the new workstations will further increase the students’ number for taking part in several projects in robotics.
In addition, Beckman Coulter has awarded a grant worth $20,000 to include applied robotics systems in the Rose-Hulman’s labs.