Thinking big about robots
<p>From left, Yoshi Kamamiya, Ryan Arnold, Steve Griffitts, Charles Andrews, Nick Smoot and Charles Buck gather to announce a memorandum of understanding between Innovation Collective, Kootenai Health, Jobs Plus and the University of Idaho aimed at working together in moving forward local the robotics and high tech industry.</p>
<p>Kenneth Tyler makes a presentation to a group about his start up technology company that focuses on improving 3D printing equipment and technique Friday at the Think Big Festival at North Idaho College.</p>
<p>Erik Hayton, chief executive officer of the start-up company The Wedding Nook, pitches his business to judges Friday at the Think Big Festival at North Idaho College.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - In March, Yoshikazu Kanamiya traveled from Japan to visit his son in Coeur d'Alene.
Little did he know that trip to visit his grandchild would lead to him helping launch a robotics culture here in the Lake City.
He picked up The Press one morning and read the headline "Robots Welcome." Being a professor in robotics at Tokyo City University, Kanamiya was more than interested.
He tracked down Nick Smoot - who, through the Innovation Collective, is trying to kick-start a hub for robotics startup companies in Coeur d'Alene - and sent him an email.
"So, I get this email from this guy who says, 'Yeah I have been a professor of robotics for 35 years,'" Smoot said, adding he thought it was a hoax. "And I am thinking, yeah, one of my friends is being really funny, but sure enough Yoshi and I met up and all this started happening."
That was one of the factors that culminated in the Think Big Conference held at North Idaho College Friday. The conference was designed to bring together factions of the community to collaborate and begin the development of a robotics culture in Coeur d'Alene.
During the conference, Kanamiya said if they can build that culture, it will likely change the lives of everyone in the community.
Just before he spoke, Kanamiya joined representatives from Kootenai Health, the University of Idaho, Jobs Plus and the Innovation Collective to announce a new collaboration to move Coeur d'Alene even closer to the robotic revolution.
"A fun thing we discussed is that we need to move medical robotics forward and the discovery of how we can implement in the field of rehab and robotics," Smoot said, during the announcement.
He explained that Kanamiya has worked extensively on robotic braces that help prevent the elderly from slipping in the snow, as well as space robots.
"We are working on getting him here for a sabbatical," Smoot said. "So he can work with the University of Idaho and there is a decision.
"What if we can sign a memorandum of understanding between all of our organizations to intentionally focus on advancing medical rehab and medical robotics here in our region?" Smoot continued. "To make this a push where we all decide to take our resources and pool them together as team - hands in - and let's go do this."
He said that is exactly what is happening now. Those organizations have decided they are going to sign an MOU and do it.
"Imagine, as you are sitting here, thinking about robotics and what you can do in telemedicine and all of the other things, understand that there is a force behind what is happening here that is not just a few people," Smoot said. "It is a large group that wants to educate, that wants to give access to data on real-world problems, money that is going to go to fly places to recruit companies to come here, and Yoshi is going to lend his expertise and Ryan and I, who are just going to keep challenging people."
Kanamiya told the crowd of 250 attendees that he believes Coeur d'Alene has the energy to bring about great strides in the industry.
"When I saw the column in the newspaper and then I met Nick and he responded immediately, I said this is a lot of energy here. I felt energy, and it is very interesting stuff, and I like this," he said.
Kanamiya was only one of several inspiring speakers who delved into mind-stretching topics surrounding the emergence of a worldwide robotics revolution.
Brad Templeton kicked off the day-long discussions with an entertaining update on the research and development of the robotic car industry.
Brent Regan, a local engineer and entrepreneur, gave an inspiring talk on innovation and telepresence, which he believes is the next big thing in robotics.
Guvenc Ozel, an artist and architect, spoke on how robotics and artificial intelligence are being incorporated into buildings and other structures, and Kathryn Myronuk, a co-founder of Singularity University, gave an overview of the industry and what the world is facing in light of the robotics revolution.
Three startup companies also pitched their ideas to potential investors, who were in attendance to question them about their products.
Throughout the conference, speakers and audience members discussed the fears associated with robotics and some of the potential downfalls a robotics revolution could create.
Overall, however, the discussions were inspiring and informative.
Smoot urged all attendees to check out the Innovation Collective website at www.innovatecda.com to keep track of the latest events and news of the group's efforts. He said there are more than 50 events scheduled throughout the year and the public is welcome to attend.