The Advanced Technology Robotics Research and Development Complex will consist of three separate facilities, each targeted to meet a specific industry need. Riley first proposed the robotics campus in 2006.

“This will make Alabama the nation’s leader in robotics research and development. It will make Alabama the national leader in robotics technology education. The benefits will be remarkable for our economy, for our workforce and for our future,” said Riley. In choosing Calhoun as the site for the robotics complex, he stressed that it met all the needed requirements, including proximity to Huntsville.

“Our vision from the beginning was a state-of-the-art robotics campus affiliated with a two-year college that is close to Huntsville’s aerospace research hub and easily accessible to our manufacturing industries. Calhoun Community College is a perfect fit for what we envisioned,” he said.

Robotics manufacturers pledged to provide $42 million worth of robots for the robotics campus during a meeting with Governor Riley in September. Representatives from 12 robotic companies were brought together with Riley by AIDT and agreed to also help design different elements of the campus.

Calhoun President Dr. Marilyn Beck pledged to utilize the college’s resources to make the Governor’s vision a reality. “Calhoun has become known as one of the leaders in education in our region, and this new robotics campus will definitely take the college to the next level,” Beck commented. “I know I speak for the entire Calhoun family when I say how appreciative we are to Governor Riley, members of our local legislative delegation and the Limestone County/Athens and Morgan County/Decatur leadership for their tremendous support of Calhoun in this project,” Beck added.

AIDT Director Ed Castille said, “This robotics complex is a major part of Governor Riley's vision for Alabama in his quest for our state to be the world leader in manufacturing technology, continued research and development of cutting edge robotics technology, and the mecca for companies that want to be leaders in their respective markets. Today, Alabama takes another huge step in making that vision a reality. I applaud the Governor and look forward to the opportunities going forward.”

The robotics campus will consist of three individual training facilities, each targeted to a specific industry need. The first building will be a 40,000 square-foot facility where technicians will be trained to work on robotic machinery. It will be staffed by trainers supplied by top robot builders. It will also be the home of several major robotics and automation brands and each will have a significant space for training and product demonstration. Construction for this first phase of the robotics complex is expected to take approximately 18 months. Plans are for 450 people to be trained at the facility each year.

The second facility will be used by NASA and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command for the purpose of research, development and testing of leading edge robotics used for military projects and space exploration. The structure will have the appropriate infrastructure to support these activities, with substantial outdoor areas for testing in a variety of environments.

The third building of the robotics campus will allow companies to build and adapt robots for new industries. Start up plants will be able to set up manufacturing lines to integrate software and equipment, test systems and train maintenance and production staff.

All three buildings will have an investment of approximately $71 million, including robotics equipment.

For more information, contact Calhoun Community College Public Relations department at 256-306-2561, or visit the college’s website at www.calhoun.edu.