DAYTON — Motoman Inc. will establish a robotics laboratory at the University of Dayton School of Engineering, the university said Wednesday, April 2.

The university said Motoman is providing $371,000 in "state-of-the-art robots."

"Motoman is certain that this investment into the school of engineering will generate great returns for Motoman, both in a ready source for research and development and in a ready source for highly educated and skilled future employees to facilitate Motoman's future growth and prosperity," Craig Jennings, Motoman president, said in UD's announcement.

As part of the school's electrical and computer engineering department, the Motoman Robotics Laboratory will be located in some 800 square feet of space in the Kettering Labs being renovated for six robot stations.

UD said it has granted Motoman a $150,000 "electrical and computer engineering research credit" that will "allow the company access to first-class robotics research and project opportunities."

The lab is expected to be ready for the start of the 2008-09 school year.

"Creation of the Motoman Robotics Laboratory is an exciting partnership opportunity for the University of Dayton, the school of engineering and, most of all, our students," Joseph Saliba, dean of the engineering school, said.