The town of Riihimäki bases its strategy on robotics for developing an attractive business environment. Since robotics has been selected as the strategic focus area for the town, the authorities are committed to long-term development and implementation of robotics in a wide range of life and working environments. To ensure implementation, it is necessary to have an open atmosphere so that stakeholders, including citizens, business actors and town authorities, can participate in robotics development and innovation activities. By involving multiple stakeholders, it is possible to reduce resistance to change, increase commitment, and obtain new development ideas.
The town has invested heavily in educational robotics activities, ranging from nurseries and elementary schools, to university level and lifelong learning for adults, integrating this with the needs of various sectors, including industry, health care, education, and traffic. Education is not only seen as a way of building know-how, but also of reducing resistance to change, speeding up implementation and promoting a positive attitude to robotics. Education is also fundamental to innovation when it takes place in “real-life” environments, in pilots and quick trials.
