Kuka Robotics Corp. (www.kuka.com) has provided a $1.5 million endowment to the College of Computing at Georgia Tech, establishing the Kuka Chair of Robotics. The chair will be held by international robotics expert Dr. Henrik Christensen.

"The addition of a globally respected robotics expert such as Dr. Christensen to our already distinguished faculty enables the College of Computing to make a significant and immediate impact on growth in the robotics arena," said Richard A. DeMillo, the John P. Imlay Jr. Dean of the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. He said he expects the company's support will lead to breakthroughs in robotic research.

Kuka also donated a Kuka KR 15SL, six-axis articulated robot made of stainless steel, that will be used to develop automation solutions for various industries including the poultry and fruit industries.

Separately, Kuka announced plans to open a new technical facility at the Scott Technology Transfer & Incubator Center in Omaha, Neb. Scheduled for a fall 2006 opening, the facility will serve as a new showroom testing and validation center for robotic concepts.

The Scott Technology Center is an outgrowth of The Peter Kiewit Institute and provides facilities and infrastructure for large and small organizations directly partnered with The Peter Kiewit Institute.

The technology complex currently has 220,000 square feet of engineering and technology related facilities. The center includes a technology and business incubator that has graduated five companies since opening in late 2001. The facility is currently housing approximately four start-up companies with the majority of the complex comprised of larger, more established technology transfer organizations.