For Kettering University senior Scotty Grunwald ’26, an electrical engineering major from Riverview, Michigan, engineering has always been about more than theory — it’s about building real solutions. When he encountered the University’s newest robotic cell, he gained another opportunity to work hands-on with Kettering’s state-of-the-art robotic system, built in collaboration with Patti Engineering, Mitsubishi Electric, and Keyence Corporation.
“This was my first real attempt at a full automation system,” Grunwald said. “It was a lot harder than it looks on paper, but that’s what made it so valuable.”
The robotic cell, installed in Kettering’s engineering lab, gives students direct experience in programming and debugging industrial automation. Featuring an industrial robot and a collaborative robot, the cell performs pick-and-place operations, complete with a 3D vision system and industrial robot for unstructured material arrival, as well as the collaborative robot and a stationary camera for inspection. A flexible code base allows students to modify programming and test their solutions while safety features remain locked in place. The result is a hands-on learning tool that mirrors state-of-the-art challenges met with the precision of real-world manufacturing automation.
“Our students want to work on things that are meaningful,” said Kettering University lecturer Andrew Watchorn. “This system puts cutting-edge automation technology in front of them, allowing them to see the impact of their problem-solving in real-time. That hands-on experience builds deep expertise — the kind that sets Kettering graduates apart in industry.”
The vision for the robotic cell began with Sam Hoff ’90, CEO of Patti Engineering. As a Kettering alumnus, Hoff knows firsthand the power of hands-on education and saw an opportunity to give students an advantage in automation and robotics. He approached Mitsubishi Electric with the idea, and together with Keyence, BorgWarner, and Kettering faculty, they brought the concept to life.
“We are proud to support Kettering University’s engineering students by providing this state-of-the-art robotic cell,” Hoff said. “This tool will offer invaluable practical experience and help equip students with the skills necessary for success in the rapidly evolving field of robotics and automation.”
For Grunwald, the experience was transformative. Although his early interests leaned toward circuit design and programming, working with the robotic cell changed how he thought about automation.
“This project definitely gave me an edge in the job market,” he said. “I can say, ‘I’ve worked with Mitsubishi PLCs before. I’ve programmed Mitsubishi robots.’ Even working with HMIs [human-machine interfaces] — it all adds to my portfolio and sets me apart.”
Few students outside of Kettering gain that competitive edge. Grunwald frequently compares notes with friends from other universities, many of whom lack access to industrial-grade automation systems.
“None of them really have experience with anything purely automation-based,” he said. “They might have a small robot in a lab, but nothing like this — nothing that could go straight into an industrial environment.”
