How to safeguard America’s national competitive edge in STEM talent

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Podcast

How to safeguard America’s national competitive edge in STEM talent

Steven Chu, Jude Blanchette, and Ryan Hass

June 9, 2022

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**VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE**At the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Philadelphia on 25 May, British technology firm Dyson gave a glimpse of its top secret plans for household robots.During the event, Dyson outlined their ambitions in advanced robotics, and offered a sneak peak at its development of an autonomous device capable of household chores and other tasks. A film, which has also been released on social media, showcases the latest developments of Dyson-designed robotic hands grasping objects, indicating that the tech company is moving beyond robotic floor-based vacuums. The secret R&D work at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire is being led by Dyson’s Chief Engineer Jake Dyson. Jake said: “Dyson employed its first roboticist 20 years ago and this year alone we are seeking 250 more experts for our team. This is a ‘big bet’ on future robotic technology that will drive research across the whole of Dyson, in areas including mechanical engineering, vision systems, machine learning and energy storage. We need the very best people in the world to come and join us now.” Dyson is half-way through the largest engineering recruitment drive in its history, as 2,000 people have joined the tech company this year, of which 50% are engineers, scientists, and coders. The company is supercharging its robotics ambitions, recruiting 250 robotics engineers across disciplines including computer vision, machine learning, sensors and mechatronics, and expects to hire 700 more in the robotics field over the next five years. Their master plan: to create the UK's largest, most advanced, robotics centre at Hullavington Airfield and to bring the technology into our homes by the end of the decade.New recruits will be based at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire, a new London laboratory close to the Dyson Robotics Lab at Imperial College, and Singapore at Dyson’s global headquarters. Over the past six months, Dyson h

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In the second episode of “Vying for Talent,” former Energy Secretary Steven Chu weighs in on U.S. science and technology innovation, the political outlook for STEM immigration reform, and why he is optimistic about America’s talent base. In discussion with co-hosts Ryan Hass and Jude Blanchette, Dr. Chu calls for government action to safeguard our national competitive edge in STEM talent.

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