The company Cobotics, derived from the words ‘collaborative robotics’, was established in 1997 by Edward Colgate and Michael Peshkin, two professors from Northwestern University in Illinois, USA. They had developed the technology for a servo-powered intelligent assist device during research funded by Ford and General Motors.
Steve Klostermeyer was charged with marketing and promoting the product at the outset of its product life cycle, a task he has undertaken with energy and enthusiasm. Cobotics describes itself as “the global market leader in the large fast-growing market for IADs”. Although this remains a small market, the potential is huge, given that intelligent assist devices present a more flexible option than full automation with robots, and a more productive option than conventional mechanical handling. This potential was recognised by Stanley Assembly Technologies, which acquired Cobotics in 2003. On takeover, Cobotics president and CEO Paul Decker left the company, but Klostermeyer stayed on board and retains a central role in the promotion of this innovative technolgy, not just for Stanley but for the industry as a whole.
