Robots + smart grid = Itron

I love it. Apparently this is creating jobs in South Carolina.

 http://roboticsonline.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/robots-for-the-smart-grid-make-jobs-in-south-carolina/

Here's a quote from someone at Itron:

We believe we have to create a vision of the factory of the future (and robots are so important because they) enable us at Itron to manufacture in the United States of America in a very cost effective and efficient way.  

- Michael Higgins, General Manager of Operations, Itron.

If that wasn't cool enough, Itron is also supporting STEM-robotics efforts of First Robotics with a local team. https://www.itron.com/newsAndEvents/Pages/Itron-Supports-Oconee-SC-Robotics-Team.aspx