Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute Extends Partnership with U.S. Department of Defense
Continued Funding to Support U.S. Manufacturing and Workforce Development through 2028
In a strategic move to bolster U.S. manufacturing and workforce development, the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute has secured a renewed cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Manufacturing Technology Program. This significant development ensures $35.4 million in funding over the next five years, extending the ARM Institute’s mission to enhance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through automation and workforce initiatives until 2028.
A Collaborative Endeavor to Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing
Ira Moskowitz, CEO of the ARM Institute, expressed gratitude for the continued support from the Department of Defense, particularly Dr. Greg Hudas, the government program manager, for their unwavering commitment to securing the agreement. He emphasized the institute’s eagerness to further collaborate with the DoD to fortify U.S. manufacturing capabilities and tackle critical national challenges.
The genesis of the ARM Institute can be traced back to a 2017 award from the DoD to Carnegie Mellon University to establish a robotics-focused Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII). Since then, the institute has evolved into a thriving nonprofit organization boasting over 400 members spanning industry, government, and academia. Headquartered at the Mill 19 facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the ARM Institute spearheads a diverse range of projects aimed at enhancing U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing.
DoD’s Role in Driving Innovation
In contrast to countries like Germany, Japan, and China, the United States lacks a centralized industrial policy. However, the DoD has taken a proactive approach to promoting U.S. manufacturing by investing in robotics and workforce development programs.
The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering oversees the Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program, under which the ARM Institute receives funding. This partnership is part of the broader Manufacturing USA network, a collaborative effort to revitalize U.S. manufacturing.
A Comprehensive Review and Renewed Commitment
The ARM Institute’s initial agreement with the DoD provided funding through January 2023. Following a thorough review by the Joint Defense Manufacturing Council (JDMC) in 2022, the DoD initiated discussions to extend the agreement.
Dr. Greg Hudas, the Department of Defense program manager for the ARM Institute, highlighted the substantial progress achieved through the public-private partnership over the past seven years. He emphasized the importance of building on this momentum and propelling innovation to new heights for the benefit of the warfighter and the nation.
The renewed agreement also includes an option for the Defense Department to extend the contract for an additional five years beyond 2028, potentially bringing the ARM Institute’s total investment to $70.4 million over a ten-year period.
ARM Institute’s Mission and Initiatives
The ARM Institute’s mission is to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers of all sizes, empowering the manufacturing workforce, bolstering economic competitiveness, and safeguarding national security and resilience.
With a satellite office in St. Petersburg, Florida, the institute has already funded over 150 projects and established robust robotics capabilities at its headquarters. It has also collaborated with the DoD on targeted directed projects, assembled an internal team of nearly 40 experts, and developed RoboticsCareer.org, a national workforce resource.
Examples of the ARM Institute’s initiatives include supporting a forward operating base with limited conventional logistics, launching a scholarship program in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood, recognizing “champions” who promote the institute’s mission, and endorsing training programs.
The new DoD agreement will enable the ARM Institute to sustain its operations, provide funding for projects with its members, and support existing capabilities alongside new initiatives. The institute is actively exploring potential initiatives to advance artificial intelligence in manufacturing.
Robotics Summit & Expo: A Platform for Collaboration and Learning
Attendees of the upcoming 2024 Robotics Summit & Expo, scheduled for May 1 and 2 in Boston, Massachusetts, will have the opportunity to engage with the ARM Institute at Booth 131 to learn more about its current and upcoming initiatives.
Additionally, Dr. Larry Sweet, former director of worldwide robotics development at Amazon Robotics and current director of engineering at the ARM Institute, will present a thought-provoking session titled “Delivering AI and Machine Learning-Enabled Robotics to the Manufacturing and Field-Service Operations.” This presentation will take place in Room 256 at 2:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 1. Interested individuals are encouraged to register for the event.
The ARM Institute’s renewed partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense is a testament to the institute’s dedication to advancing U.S. manufacturing. With continued funding and collaboration, the ARM Institute will play a pivotal role in driving innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and safeguarding national security.