The need for manufacturing automation engineers and programmers is growing at a rapid rate. Most Mechatronic (Industrial Robotics) programs are focusing on the traditional mechanical engineering based academic programs with only a small amount of computer science and little to no AI (Artificial Intelligence) training. We see this situation as an opportunity to build a research center focused on Computer Science contributions to robotics in addition to mechanical and electrical engineering. The term "Robotics" is a general term that covers industrial automation in general. Not every robot looks like an arm. There are many different forms of robots.

The Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics will serve as an entity to foster faculty and student collaboration between these disciplines, applied to a host of applications from manufacturing to agriculture. The Center will provide a focus for attracting research grants and other external funding to build the University of Idaho robotics program. We have already raised $1.4M in donations for robotics.

The University of Idaho Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering programs are building a 21st century program with equal attention to new software paradigms such as AI (including machine learning) and PLC programming in conjunction with mechanical engineering focused on industrial automation and robotics.