Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc. has partnered with the Alabama Robotics Technology Park (RTP), and is serving as the primary robotics safety provider for the project. The RTP is a three-phase project that will consist of individual training facilities targeted to a specific industry need, which will provide college level courses on every aspect of robotics training, including robotics safety.
Completed in September 2010, Phase I of the project is the 52,000 square foot Robotic Maintenance Training Center, which houses the industry training program where technicians are trained to work on robotic machinery.
Phase II of the project will be the 30,000 square foot Advanced Technology Research and Development Center, which will feature a test facility for companies currently in the robotics manufacturing industry. The facility will be used by NASA and the U.S. Army Missile Command for the purpose of research, development and testing of leading edge robotics used for military projects and space exploration. Phase II is scheduled to open spring of 2011.
Phase III will be the Integration and Entrepreneurial Center - a collaborative consolidation of technology involving higher education and industry. This facility 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.