ASU Launches Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics Hub to Shape the Future of Industry!

Arizona State University (ASU) has taken a monumental step toward redefining the future of engineering and technology education with the launch of its Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics Hub. Housed within the new Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building (ISTB) 12 at the Polytechnic campus, this 173,000-square-foot facility is the centerpiece of ASU’s School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, reflecting the university’s commitment to advancing America’s manufacturing competitiveness through innovation, research, and workforce development.

The inauguration of ISTB 12 marks a defining moment for ASU’s vision to bring manufacturing “front and center.” Traditionally embedded within mechanical or industrial engineering departments at most universities, manufacturing now takes the spotlight as an independent, interdisciplinary school designed to meet the growing demand for skilled engineers in automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and semiconductor technologies.

ASU President Michael Crow described the initiative as a bold reimagining of higher education’s role in industrial transformation. “The United States needs the most advanced manufacturing school ever made,” he said. “We’re working with the city of Mesa, the state of Arizona, and leading companies like Honeywell to build it, attract global talent, and shape the next generation of manufacturing.”

Governor Katie Hobbs praised ASU for positioning Arizona as a national leader in advanced manufacturing. “This is more than the opening of a building—it’s a milestone in Arizona’s leadership as a hub of technology and innovation,” she said. “ASU’s commitment to R&D, workforce training, and job creation has been instrumental in driving the state’s success.”

The new facility, located within ASU’s Polytechnic Innovation Zone, is designed to foster deep collaboration between academia and industry. The zone—a 330-acre area dedicated to innovation—invites startups, research institutions, and global companies to co-locate and work alongside students and faculty. Businesses gain access to advanced laboratories, high-tech equipment, and applied research partnerships, while students benefit from hands-on experience, internships, and exposure to real-world manufacturing challenges.

ISTB 12 itself is equipped with specialized research labs focused on additive manufacturing, robotics for smart factories, cyber manufacturing, semiconductor production, and energy-sector manufacturing systems. The facility also includes three instructional labs, four dedicated classrooms, and a 200-person multipurpose hall, enabling large-scale collaborative learning and experimentation.

Dr. Binil Starly, Director of the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, emphasized that ISTB 12 embodies the future of digital manufacturing. “The future of manufacturing is going to be heavily digital, automated, and integrated across all machines and processes,” he said. “ISTB 12 represents the convergence of AI, robotics, and smart automation that defines next-generation manufacturing.”

ASU is currently the only university in the United States to offer a full academic pathway—a bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD—in manufacturing engineering. The curriculum equips students with transferable skills adaptable to multiple sectors, from aerospace and microelectronics to medical and energy manufacturing.

Nancy Gonzales, ASU’s Executive Vice President and Provost, highlighted the facility’s role in inspiring young innovators. “This is where curiosity meets the world of the possible,” she said. “It’s a space for students who love to build, tinker, and imagine how things work—connecting their creativity to real-world impact.”

Kyle Squires, Dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, concluded, “ISTB 12 marks a significant milestone for ASU. It’s more than a building—it’s a symbol of our mission to define what the future of manufacturing will be.”

With ISTB 12, ASU cements its reputation as the nation’s most innovative university, uniting education, research, and industry collaboration to train the engineers and innovators who will build the factories of the future.