Competing Smarter

Robotics is growing rapidly as it has become a $20 billion global industry with nearly 9 million robots in use today worldwide. In fact, the world robot population has nearly doubled within the past four years, according to the International Federation of Robotics. As robots begin to make their mark around the world, PrecisePath Robotics’ President and COO, Jason Zeilke, believes Indiana’s resources are an opportunity and reason for the industry to make its mark in the state.

Zeilke believes that robotics is a practical tool that has the potential to increase productivity in businesses as well as allow humans to be more creative and innovative with robots doing menial tasks. With that in mind, Zeilke recently introduced PrecisePath's new automated mowing equipment initially tageted for golf courses but with potential applications ranging from construction and landscaping to painting and snow removal.

"While Indiana's robotics industry is far from established, we do several key competitive advantages that will enable this booming field to become an important pillar of our growing technology sector," he said.

Reasons why Indiana has a future with the robotics industry:

• Indiana has a growing information technology and software engineering sector
• Home to world-class engineering and computer science programs like Purdue, Rose-Hulman, Notre Dame and Indiana University
• Indiana’s solid manufacturing heritage
• Close proximity to natural customer base
• Advanced manufacturing firms are more aggressively incorporating robotic systems into their industry to improve productivity; more than one million robots currently at work in manufacturing facilities worldwide.
• Indiana is the most manufacturing-intensive state in nation by per capita income and economic output
• Indiana ranks among leaders in medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing, where high-tech automation is necessary to meet industry standards.
• Growing defense and homeland security sector with a need for specialized robot applications

Read Jason Zeilke’s full article on Robotics in Indiana at Inside INdiana Business