Tyson Donates $50K Robot to UA’s Bumpers College

Don Johnson, professor with the agricultural education, communications and technology department in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food & Life Sciences,  demonstrates the capabilities of the six-axis robotic arm donated by Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale.

Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale last week donated a $50,000 robot to the University of Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences in Fayetteville.

Tyson is donating robots to nine schools around the state to encourage student engagement in STEM. The company also donated 100 copies of software programming to the college.

Don Johnson, agricultural systems professor for the college and the UA System Division of Agriculture, said in a news release that the robot will be used in existing agricultural systems 

and technology courses and for an upcoming special topics class on agricultural industrial robotics.

“Robots are often used in industry,” Johnson said. “This class will help prepare students to use them in the workforce.”

The six-axis robot can be programmed through a touchpad or software. Similar robots are often used for palletizing or welding, and industrial robotics technology is increasingly being used in the food processing industry, according to the release.