Doyle And Wamp Launch Congressional Caucus On Robotics
June 19, 2007

Pennsylvania Cong. Mike Doyle and Tennessee Cong. Zach Wamp announced the formation of a bi-partisan Congressional Caucus on Robotics. The caucus will focus on key issues facing the nation's traditional industrial robotics industry as well as issues critical to growing companies, markets, and industries based on recent technological advances that enable robots to perform functions beyond traditional assembly line tasks and to operate in environments beyond the factory floor. A kick-off event is being planned for mid-September.

"Robots are now being used well beyond traditional industrial automation applications like assembling automobiles," said Cong. Mike Doyle. "Today, they are also being used to defend our nation, perform surgery, fill prescriptions, deliver supplies and materials, and even as tools to educate our children, so it is important that we create a forum by which Congress can familiarize itself with the impact this first great technology of the 21st century is likely to have on the lives of all Americans."

"The increase in the number of emerging and potential applications for robotics is astounding," added Cong. Zach Wamp. "Microsoft Corporation chairman Bill Gates has stated his belief that the robotics industry is developing in much the same way that the computer business did 30 years ago. Forming a bipartisan caucus now will enable Congress to get a better grasp on many of the challenges and issues likely to emerge and help ensure that the United States can maintain global leadership as the robotics industry undergoes considerable expansion in the coming decade."

The preliminary, proposed goals of the bipartisan Robotics Caucus will include, but are not limited to:
·Increasing general awareness of robotics industry challenges and issues among Members of Congress and policy analysts in the federal government.
·Educating Members of Congress and congressional staff on current and future research, development, and utilization initiatives involving robotics.
·Serving as a forum where robotics-related policy issues can be discussed and debated.
·Ensuring that our nation remains globally competitive as the robotics industry rapidly expands and begins to exert a profound effect on the way our citizens live their lives.