Minister of State for Science and Technology Ed Holder (second from right) and Sault MP Bryan Hayes (far right) in the Tenaris Robotics Lab prior to a funding announcement at Sault College on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Science and Technology Ed Holder (second from right) and Sault MP Bryan Hayes (far right) in the Tenaris Robotics Lab prior to a funding announcement at Sault College on Tuesday.

Sault MP Bryan Hayes made a 490-thousand dollar FedNor Announcement on Tuesday at Sault College. The funding will be used to purchase and install six industrial robots and related software, and three portable pre-engineered robotic cells specifically designed for robotic training purposes for the college’s new robotics lab. College Vice-President of Academics Leo Tiberi says students will benefit through hands-on experience when the robotic cells are fully functional this fall…

The college will also hire a Robotics Coordinator for a two year period to lead the lab and create business partnerships. Minister of State for Science and Technology Ed Holder says the college’s various partnerships have played a role in what’s going on in the robotics program…

Holder also credited Hayes and his relentlessness in putting Sault Ste. Marie front and centre on Parliament Hill. He added described the funding announcement as ‘leading edge’ and a potential sign of more things to come. Holder says the benefits will reach beyond the college…

Robotics is a sector that is in high demand locally. According to Tiberi, close to 100 manufacturing companies are using robots or are about to adopt that form of technology. Right now, robotics at Sault College involves as many as 200 students from various programs.