Matt Tomblin

Matt Tomblin

Matt Tomblin

Director, Automation Research Center

Overview

Matt Tomblin, director of NIAR’s Automation Research Center, is uniquely experienced in advanced manufacturing and automation, previously serving as operations manager for the Smart Factory at Wichita, a division of Deloitte.

Tomblin, was directly involved in implementing the Smart Factory’s state-of-the-art production line, which is currently configured to produce Smart Rover kits, a STEM-forward, 21st-century learning experience designed to equip middle school students with the enduring skills needed to design, code, and build for the future.

NIAR’s Robotics & Automation Lab was also a critical partner in the Smart Factory production line development and implementation.

Prior to joining the Smart Factory, Tomblin was a research engineer for NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems, and worked as a student assistant for the Robotics & Automation Lab. 

Tomblin graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

NIAR’s Robotics & Automation Lab is located on Wichita State’s main campus in the John Bardo Center. It is part of the 3DEXPERIENCE Center, a partnership with Dassault Systèmes. The lab employs 14 full-time employees and more than 50 student lab technicians in applied learning positions.