2024 Impact Recap: Building the Future of Robotics in the Heartland

The Heartland Robotics Cluster (HRC) continues to make waves in the robotics ecosystem. Our dynamic community is shaping the future of robotics by fostering innovation, collaboration, and talent development. Whether you're a robotics enthusiast exploring cutting-edge tech or a tech innovator seeking breakthroughs, the HRC offers a wealth of insights into new technologies and applications.

This recap highlights the collective impact of the HRC’s members and the major milestones that defined the year, including our most successful annual conference to date.

The Heartland Robotics Cluster at a Glance

The HRC is a thriving hub of innovation, uniting academic institutions, community programs, and private enterprises to propel the robotics industry forward. Its mission is to advance robotics technology, build a skilled workforce, and position the Midwest as a global robotics powerhouse. From startups to established research labs, the cluster nurtures a collaborative environment where ideas become reality.

Why is the HRC Vital to Robotics?

Talent Pipeline Development: By partnering with educational programs, HRC ensures a steady flow of skilled engineers, technicians, and innovators into the workforce.
Collaborative Innovation: Member organizations within the cluster pool resources, ideas, and expertise to fast-track technological breakthroughs.
Industry Applications: Innovations born in the HRC have widespread impacts on industries like agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, solving real-world problems with advanced automation.

Cluster-Wide Impact by Strategic Theme

Workforce Development & Education

Nebraska Innovation Studio (NIS) launched a Robotics Operating System (ROS) graduate-level course at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and introduced robotic welding training to its Universal robotic arm program.
NIS Robotics Fellows Program welcomed its inaugural cohort, supporting four fellows selected from over 30 applicants with mentorship and material resources.
Northeast Community College iHub reached 600+ K–12 students through STEM camps and began construction on a state-of-the-art fabrication space.
Metro Community College reached 92% of its goal in delivering robotics education to underserved students, launched a mobile “BBB Trailer” education unit, and sponsored FIRST Tech Challenge competitions.

Research & Innovation

UNL College of Engineering advanced a new Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering, hosted the 2024 VEX Robotics Competition, and led groundbreaking research in aerial drones (NIMBUS Lab) and power management.
The Combine connected agtech startups to the broader ecosystem, hosting the AgTech Connect Showcase and accelerating agricultural robotics innovation.

Industry Adoption & Commercialization

Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) built a new automation demonstration space and trained over 50 companies on modern manufacturing tools.
The Combine supported 10 agtech startups in 2024, highlighting their role in bridging robotics and agriculture.

Equity & Access

Metro Community College’s mobile outreach and robotics curriculum ensured more equitable access to training, especially in rural and underserved communities.

2024 Heartland Robotics Conference: A Community in Motion

Held on November 22 at Nebraska Innovation Campus, the 2024 HRC Conference was a vibrant showcase of collaboration, technology, and inspiration. The event welcomed 224 registrants—a 10% increase year-over-year—with 172 attendees participating in person. Of those:

71 held All Access tickets
153 were students, including those from Purdue University, Western Governors University, South Dakota State University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The conference offered immersive learning through keynote talks, partner exhibits, interactive demos, and networking opportunities.

Keynote Highlights:

Matt Foley, agribusiness investor, spotlighted agricultural robotics and its role in sustainable farming.
Rachael Wagner, UNL Assistant Professor, discussed surgical robotics, space tech, and medical device innovation.
Luke Farritor, NFDG investor and AI Grant leader, explored AI applications in research and automation.
Dar Sleeper, VP of Growth at 1X, shared insights into humanoid robotics and their integration into everyday life.

Award Presentation: Luke Farritor received the 2025 HRC Award for his exceptional contributions to AI and the Nebraska tech community. Surrounded by fellow attendees and his family, Farritor’s recognition reflected HRC’s commitment to honoring innovation rooted in the Heartland.

Watch the recap video here:

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on this momentum, the HRC is preparing for:

The launch of Nebraska’s first undergraduate Robotics Engineering degree at UNL
Expanded mobile robotics training across rural schools and underserved populations
Deeper commercialization support for robotics startups in agriculture and manufacturing

Emerging initiatives in autonomous farming, drone delivery systems, and AI-powered production are on the horizon, as HRC continues to bridge academic research with industry needs.

Join the Movement

Whether you're a student, researcher, manufacturer, or entrepreneur—there’s a place for you in the Heartland Robotics Cluster. Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on social media, and get involved as we build the future of robotics right here in the Midwest.

Together, we're driving innovation, expanding opportunity, and reshaping what's possible.