The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), a global advocate for machine vision, robotics, and automation technologies, has named Jim Devaprasad, a professor with Lake Superior State University’s School of Engineering and Technology, as the 2026 A3 Educator of the Year.
The award, sponsored by Siemens, is a part of A3’s ongoing initiative to expand focus on students, educators, and emerging professionals.
Amanda Beaton, Siemens U.S. Education Program Manager, will present the award June 23 during the Automate 2026 show’s Educator Day sessions.
Siemens will present Devaprasad with a cash prize via the company’s Siemens Cooperates with Education program. In addition, Devaprasad and the top five Educator of the Year Award finalists will receive Siemens software bundles valued at more than $250,000.
Devaprasad is being recognized for “his decades of leadership in robotics and automation education, his deep industry engagement and his success preparing students to thrive in real-world automation careers,” according to the press release.
Devaprasad has spent 40 years in education and leadership roles in automation. He currently serves as director of the LSSU’s Center for Advanced Robotics Engineering and has helped secure more than $3 million in robotics and automation equipment for the center, along with more than $2 million in grants for engineering programs. He has also helped advance LSSU’s robotics programs, including the first nationally ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in robotics engineering technology in the United States.
Devaprasad and his students will be exhibiting their work during Automate in booth #33051 in the Education Pavilion.
RELATED: Explore Cutting-Edge Vision, AI, and Humanoid Robotics at Automate 2026
RELATED: Automate 2026: Educational Opportunities and Innovation Highlights
