Where is Robot-Valley?

Posted 9 Jul 2004 at 20:35 UTC by steve

A new robotic trends article uses an assortment of statistics to predict where we'll see the robot equivalent of silicon valley. After describing lots of maps of population-adjusted densities of unspecified local robot clubs, contests, and start-up companies, the author concludes that robot valley will be on the east coast, unless it's on the west coast, or somewhere else, or unless the Japanese take over the whole market first.

Robot valley, posted 9 Jul 2004 at 22:32 UTC by motters » (Master)

I think "robot valley" will appear wherever there is a convergence between leading edge R&D and cheap manufacturing costs. My guess would be Japan or much more likely China.

Lack of valley isn't bad, posted 15 Jul 2004 at 18:10 UTC by Rog-a-matic » (Master)

I'm guessing that in this day of the internet, outsourcing, and overseas manufacturing, there will be no 'valley' for the robotics industry. It's just not necessary to have companies next to each other in order to make the industry hum.

There are plenty of examples of cutting edge technology that had no 'valley'. One that I can think of off hand is the electronic music synthesizer industry in the 60's and 70's. The manufacturers were spread from the west coast to the east coast with some in-between.

In fact, this geographical situation created a healthy competition that spurred ideas and made customers hungery.

Of course, when the volume got big enough the big boys in Asia stepped in.

Roger