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BMW Manufacturing Co. has donated 20 robots to the state's Technical Education System's Center for Accelerated Technology Training, and several will find homes in Upstate tech schools.

Greenville Technical College, Tri-County Technical College and Spartanburg Technical College will benefit from the gift, as well as seven other schools around the state.

BMW used the robots in the Greer assembly plant's body shop to weld metal parts for the first-generation X5 SUV. Production of the second-generation X5 began in September, and the plant retooled with new robots.

The robots will be delivered and installed at the colleges early next year.

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"This means a lot to us. It's such a wonderful thing that will be used to benefit our students," said Greenville Tech spokeswoman Becky Mann.

She said the new robot will go in the school's Engineering Technology division, where it will help students and professors simulate a manufacturing environment.

BMW had previously donated 42 robots and robot controllers in 2002 to the state Department of Education that are in use at various vocational schools throughout the state, including the Donaldson Career Center and J. Harley Bonds Career Center in Greenville County.

"Education is a key to preparing the future work force, and these robots will be a great asset in developing students' technical skills and experiences with robotics," said Robert Hitt, BMW's department manager for public affairs."