Robots welcome

COEUR d'ALENE - If you were going to create a startup business culture around any industry in Coeur d'Alene, what would it be?

That's a question Nick Smoot and a handful of local entrepreneurs asked themselves recently. Their answer?

Robotics.

"We already have a lot of very smart and sharp people in this community that are involved with robotics," Smoot said Wednesday, rattling off the names of local people who have worked with NASA, Google and many other high-tech companies that are on the leading edge of advanced robotics.

"When we started looking into it, we realized, 'Gosh, it's all here already,'" he said, explaining how robotics and artificial intelligence are both making a big impact on the economy. "There is no city that has claimed this industry yet. Why not bring it here?"

Smoot said area schools already have vibrant robotics programs. He has also found investors interested in providing angel financing for startups.

Scott Broder, who has started and sold two tech startup companies - including one to Microsoft - currently manages the Inland Tech Startup Fund in Coeur d'Alene.

"I want to start a robotics-specific fund in Coeur d'Alene," he said, adding that he moved to Coeur d'Alene because "this is the place to be."

Broder said the goal is to create a structure that would provide incubation and mentoring for entrepreneurs from startup through commercialization.

Cody Peterson is also involved. He is the CEO of Rohinni, which manufactures printable light. He too has recently sold a company called Pacinian to Synaptics.

Peterson said he's interested in creating a culture that will allow all robotics companies to collaborate with open-source robotics.

"I also have some experience with actuator design, which is a cool complement to robotics," he said.

Ultimately, Smoot said, they would like to find the right building in downtown Coeur d'Alene to create what he calls an "innovation factory of sorts."

It would be a one-stop shop, with office space, an incubator, and of course, a coffee shop. It would be a place for all new startups to get started, he said.

Smoot is also planning to approach the city of Coeur d'Alene to propose a few robotics regulations that would guide the use of robots in public places. He would like to propose licensing requirements similar to licensing a motor vehicle.

"The Google car has been on the road in two states for six years without an accident," he said, adding that Google just bought out eight robotics companies.

"We have found no cities that issue licenses for robots in public spaces," Smoot said. "We should be the first in the nation to do that, and let the whole world know we are here."

With the popularity of drones and self-driving cars on the horizon, Smoot said it makes sense to pass basic ordinances guiding their use.

"Some people are concerned about a robot uprising. It's a scary thing for those people," he said. "But if it is done right, it could be a positive thing for society - it's more like not letting fear win."

He said they want to propose four basic regulations for robotic use in the public to ensure obedience, to protect humans and to protect the robots themselves.

He has talked with Mayor Steve Widmyer about their plans, and the mayor appeared to be supportive.

"Actually, we could do this with or without the laws, but it would be nice to get everyone working together," Smoot said. "Let's stand together and link arms - the private sector and the city - and get this done."

In the meantime, Smoot and friends are planning a major robotics conference in Coeur d'Alene later this year. They are working to recruit the major industry leaders in robotics to attend.

"We are seeking out the big names - any major player in robotics," he said, adding they have already started talking with some people at Google.

"When it comes to robotics, it is really the wild, wild west out there," Smoot said. "The reality is software is leading this world, and artificial intelligence can assist society in a positive way. What part of that movement are we going to target?"

For more information on their efforts go to their website innovatecda.com.