A Volkswagen AG decision to locate in North Alabama could speed the timetable for the research phase of Calhoun Community College’s robotics complex, a key player in negotiations said.

Two-year college Chancellor Bradley Byrne said Thursday that if Volkswagen chooses a site near the Athens-Decatur-Huntsville area, he expects research at the complex to be a priority.

He would not speculate about how soon that phase might get under way.

Volkswagen expects to announce in July which U.S. location under consideration will land the company’s new automotive plant. A site near Chattanooga also is a contender.

“I know research is a priority for NASA, UAH (University of Alabama in Huntsville) and for the government contractors. I know that Volkswagen has a strong interest in research as well,” Byrne said after a meeting of the state Board of Education.

Byrne said a Volkswagen decision for the Alabama site widely rumored to be in Limestone County likely would accelerate the timetable for completing the research component.

He said he expects UAH to be involved in that phase of the operation because of the university’s existing research programs.

“At this point, the research involvement is still a vision,” UAH spokesman Ray Garner said Monday. “But UAH has a lot of background and a strong interest in robotics at federal agencies, at NASA and Redstone Arsenal and with the U.S. Army.”

Garner’s comments follow an earlier endorsement for the program by UAH President Dave Williams.

“Alabama is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in robotics and enhance the state’s competitive advantage over other states in this field,” Williams said the day Calhoun’s selection was announced.

Gov. Bob Riley announced June 9 that Calhoun would be home to the Advanced Technology Robotics Research and Development Complex.

The announcement came after months of speculation and competition for the complex among colleges, including Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.

The 51-acre, $71 million complex will consist of three separate facilities, each targeted to meet a specific industry need. The site is across U.S. 31 from the main Calhoun campus, adjacent to the Delphi Corp. buildings.

Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking for Phase 1, a $14 million student and industry employee training facility, will take place within six months and should reach completion in about 18 months.

Riley said the day of the announcement that construction on Phase 2, the research and development phase, and Phase 3, a demonstration area, would begin only as state funds permit.

Research and development are set for the second phase of construction at a time when the state’s finances allow, according to Riley.

But Byrne said he believes that research is an important element for Volkswagen as well, likely increasing the priority of that phase if the company locates in Limestone County.

Whether Volkswagen locates in Limestone County or not, Phase 2 will be an important part of the complex. Riley said NASA and the U.S. Army Missile Command would conduct research, development and testing of “leading edge robotics” for military projects and space exploration.

The facility also would have outdoor areas for testing in a variety of environments.

Third plant

A third plant on the campus will allow companies to build and adapt robots for new industries. In this plant, companies will be able to set up manufacturing lines, integrate software and equipment, test their systems, and train maintenance and production staff.

The complex will be the first of its kind in the United States, said Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute Director Ed Castile, who will work on building design and program development with Calhoun.

“It will be the only place in the country that has all the components of education, work-force training, research and robotics industry demonstration space in one spot.”

Categories: Huntsville Auto
Tags: auto, vw