Aerospace firms funded an automation institute.

Rockwell International and Hughes Aircraft each contributed $100,000 to become the first members of a nonprofit institute to improve industrial automation skills. The institute is being set up by the University of Southern California and UCLA. The Institute for Manufacturing and Automation Research expects to spend $2 million to $4 million annually to conduct research and provide education to the industry. Participating companies are expected to commit $100,000 annually for three years.