Advancing Automation in the US for the 21st Century

President Jeff Burnstein describes the new A3 organization, and the prospects for advanced automation in US industry.

US industries have historically led in the adoption of advanced automation, all the way back to the first Unimate installed in a New Jersey diecasting plant in 1961. Today, automation has come to describe a broad spectrum of technologies, from smart sensors to autonomously guided vehicles, and until now no single trade association has emerged to represent the US industry as a whole. This has changed with the amalgamation of four industry groups into the Association for Advancing Automation, or A3. With Asian and European firms rapidly deploying advanced automation in multiple industries, the pressure is on for US firms to innovate on an equal level, or risk being left behind. A3 president Jeff Burnstein discusses the new Association, and the prospects for advanced automation in American industry.

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Written by

James Anderton

Jim Anderton is the Director of Content for ENGINEERING.com. Mr. Anderton was formerly editor of Canadian Metalworking Magazine and has contributed to a wide range of print and on-line publications, including Design Engineering, Canadian Plastics, Service Station and Garage Management, Autovision, and the National Post. He also brings prior industry experience in quality and part design for a Tier One automotive supplier.