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****************** ROBOTICS INSTITUTE SEMINAR SERIES ******************

The Pittsburgh Robotics Initiative

Barry Maciak
Duquesne University

Jim Osborne
Robotics Institute
Carnegie Mellon University

Friday, March 3, 2000
Adamson Wing, Baker Hall
Refreshments 3:15 pm
Talk 3:30 pm


Abstract

Robotics is experiencing a rebirth in the Pittsburgh region; nearly 80
organizations are involved in research, development, engineering and sales
of robotics and automation technologies. In the near future, robots and
robotics technologies will play major roles in commerce and touch many
aspects of our lives. The adoption of robots in many applications of
enormous economic scale is inevitable, and robotics itself will become an
important business sector. By organizing, growing and supporting regional
assets, the Pittsburgh region can assert its preferred position to reap
the benefits of the new robot-fueled economy. The Pittsburgh region has
already established itself as a world leader in R&D of the technologies
that will usher in the robotics revolution; complementing recognized R&D
excellence are established education programs, a strong manufacturing
base, and a good business climate. These factors mean the robotics
enterprise in the Pittsburgh area can become a major component of the
regional economy. It also means that we have a unique opportunity to
capture world leadership in the robotics market. With seed funding from
the Heinz Endowments, a new non- profit organization, the Pittsburgh
Robotics Initiative (PRI), has been formed. PRI's purpose is summed upin
its mission statement: "Our mission is to actualize robotics as an
economic engine in the Pittsburgh region."

PRI's goal is to make robotics represent a major portion of the regional
economy, one in which tens of thousands of people enjoy gainful employment
in organizations that build, sell, develop and research robots and
robotics technologies, and create new wealth. PRI aims to make the region
synonymous with robotics and automation as it once was with steel.


Speaker Biography

Mr. Maciak has conducted workshops and presented at seminars throughout
the U.S., Northern Ireland and Japan on the topics of manufacturing
modernization, management training and industrial networking. Mr. Maciak
holds a BA in political science from Point Park College.

Jim "Oz" Osborn is currently the Director of the Pittsburgh Robotics
Initiative. He has fifteen years of professional experience in robotics
research, development and system integration, with emphasis on
environmental and nuclear applications. Mr. Osborn received his BS in
Electrical and Biomedical Engineering in 1981 and an MS in Environmental
Engineering in 1985, both from Carnegie Mellon University.


Speaker Appointments

For appointments, please contact the speaker, Jim Osborne, at 
oz@ri.cmu.edu.

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