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Hyde Park, NY – The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded $80 million to a national public-private partnership in which The Culinary Institute of America is a collaborating member. The Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Innovation Hub is receiving the five-year grant to further the development of robotics. The CIA is among the 40 academic partners working with industry, government, and non-profit organizations as part of the Carnegie Mellon University-based ARM Institute.

Supported by the DoD, the ARM Institute is a collective effort to help revitalize American manufacturing and provide companies with a reason to invest in new technology. The CIA became involved when the college submitted a proposal to ARM focused around the further development of foodservice automation and manufacturing through advancements in smart robotics solutions.

“We are hopeful that our project in collaboration with ARM will be selected for development, considering its unique nature and ability to disrupt the foodservice industry,” says CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan. “Specifically, we believe the development of these technologies will cut down on food waste and increase efficiency and consistency.”

According to the January DoD announcement, “Robotics are increasingly necessary to achieve the level of precision required for defense and other industrial manufacturing needs, but the capital cost and complexity of use often limits small to mid-size manufacturers from utilizing the technology. The ARM Institute’s mission therefore is to create and then deploy robotic technology by integrating the diverse collection of industry practices and institutional knowledge across many disciplines.”

Other higher education institutions that are part of the ARM Institute include Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, MIT, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, Yale, and Purdue.

Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:

CIA President Tim Ryan talks about the potential benefits of robotics in foodservice and hospitality during The Culinary Insttute of America’s reThink Food conference at the college’s California campus in November 2016. (Photo credit: Kristen Loken/CIA)

Media Contact:

Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor’s degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education through its Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of 49,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The CIA has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.

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