Calling All Robots, Calling All Robots …

The Robotics Industries Association will host its annual International Collaborative Robots Workshop on September 30 at the San Jose Convention Center. This year’s workshop will focus on advancements in the field or robotics, with special emphasis on collaborative robot technology, applications, safety implications and human impacts.

RIA president Jeff Burnstein said the conference is a great opportunity for everyone in the fast-growing robotics industry to get together to exchange ideas and experiences.

“We’re bringing together international robotics industry leaders, researchers, suppliers and users to help us understand where the industry is today and where it’s headed in the future with collaborative robots,” Burnstein said in a news release. “We are excited to host the event in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s hotbeds for robotics research and start-up companies.

One of Silicon Valleys most well-known residents is Google, which recently bought Boston Dynamics — an engineering company that has designed mobile research robots for the Pentagon that can run faster than 40 mph. Google also recently purchased Big Dog, a company that makes a four-legged robot that can climb hills and travel easily through snow, and Schaft, an award-winning Japanese robot design firm that has built a robot that walks upright like man, climbs ladders and can perform routine cleaning tasks like cleaning debris and connecting hoses.

Google, the company that owns the Internet’s most popular search engine, also recently purchased five other robotics firms in the past year.