The University of Nebraska-Lincoln to Lead $25M Project for Robotics Innovation

Invest Nebraska Corp. developed the proposal for expanding robotics education and innovation in the state.

Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska’s Santosh Pitla (right), associate professor of biological systems engineering, watches as Chee Town Liew, staff with biological systems engineering, adjusts the height on a planter attachment on a robotic tractor. The tractor will be used to plant cover crops in the fall. Pitla's research is one of many campus projects that will benefit from the Heartland Robotics Cluster.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is among the partners that will benefit from a $25 million award as part of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge program.

By Troy Fedderson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

· September 6, 2022

The Biden administration has started disbursing funds to encourage economic and workforce development, as well as robotics innovation. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln last week said it is taking a lead in a $25 million federal award in the Cornhusker State.

The award is part of a $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge program announced Sept. 2 by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Nebraska’s $25 million award will establish a Heartland Robotics Cluster. The university’s $14.8 million portion of the award includes $9.3 million to build out robotics-related research and teaching spaces in Kiewit Hall, Scott Engineering Center, and Splinter Labs.

Additional allocations will use resources at Nebraska Innovation Studio and The Combine, both located at Nebraska Innovation Campus. And the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership, part of the university’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will use $1.4 million to develop an automation demonstration space and program for Nebraska manufacturers.

Nebraska educational institutions partner to apply

The proposal was developed and led by Invest Nebraska Corp., a state-level venture development organization led by Dan Hoffman. Other project partners include Northeast Community College and Metro Community College—both of which will expand robotics instruction for students.

“This is truly an innovative team approach developed by Dan Hoffman and his team,” said Mark Riley, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering. “Ultimately, this project is going to be about research and engagement, developing the next generation of robots, and showing industry partners across Nebraska how they can integrate robotics into their operations.

“It will also focus on how we train students and assist them in becoming next-level robotics entrepreneurs, helping grow the economy for all of Nebraska,” he said.

Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Resources available through Nebraska Innovation Studio and The Combine, both at Nebraska Innovation Campus (pictured), will help expand the statewide entrepreneurial impacts of the federal award. Credit: Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

New project to address labor challenges

Hoffman said the project will help overcome pandemic-driven labor challenges that continue to hinder Nebraska.

“Today, we start the long process of investing in our state’s automation infrastructure and growing the future talent pipeline in automation, robotics, computer vision and AI,” he said.

The Heartland Robotics Cluster project was selected among a pool of 529 applications from all 50 states. In December, 61 proposals were named finalists, of which 21 were awarded funds.

About the author: Troy Fedderson is part of the University Communication and Marketing team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Invest Nebraska Corporation (Nebraska), one of 60 Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) finalists, presented their proposal to corporate and philanthropic partners and funders during EDA’s virtual showcase on April 26, 2022.

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