The problem now though is that robotics and automation is more than just engineering the machine, the challenges are in managing and building the AI. This area of study and research is not so active in Michigan.
Ann Arbor is about 40 miles from Detroit, and the university there has one of the top AI programs. I believe they are building an autonomous car testing ground for the auto industry as well http://www.technologyreview.com/news/531301/town-built-for-d...
