2022 Nominees
​VOTING TAKES PLACE Sept 27 - Oct 2

​The NE Manufacturing Alliance's Coolest Thing Made In Nebraska competition highlights Nebraska's manufacturing industry. The diversity and quality of the products nominated are a testament to the dedication and work ethic of Nebraska's manufacturing industry. Nebraska's manufacturing industry is truly the backbone of our economy!

Take a closer look and you’ll be amazed by all the cool products Nebraska manufacturers make.

VOTES AFTER OCTOBER 2 WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN FINAL COUNTS.
​
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a network of fellow manufacturers, but it also provides you with the
​peace of mind to know
that while you are running your business, we are monitoring issues that affect you,
​your business and your bottom line
Top Products in the Coolest Thing Made In Nebraska Contest

Coolest Thing
NYC Subway Car
-  Kawasaki Motors Mfg. Corp., USA ​

The R211 is a new technology subway car for the New York City Transit Authority (NYCT). The contract consists of 1,612 cars, producing 40 cars/month. The R211 is three distinct car types.  R211A cars for NYCT, R211T cars have open gangways to increase passenger capacity. The R211S for the Staten Island Railway.  The design features 58” doors, reducing on-boarding and train sitting times in stations. Include digital displays with real-time rider information, brighter lighting and signage, aerodynamic bonnets, and other features.  ​

Coolest Thing
Grain Weevil Robot 
- Grain Weevil

Grain Weevil is a grain bin safety and management robot doing the work that no farmer should. This mobile robot uses auger-based propulsion to engage directly with grain and other granular material in bulk storage.  By doing tasks normally done by a farmer with a shovel, the robot can control risk, reduce cost, and improve grain quality management. Our mission to protect people and their profit is straightforward, “No boots in the grain.”

Coolest Thing
MIRA Surgical Platform 
- Virtual Incision

Meet MIRA. The world's first miniaturized robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) platform. MIRA is strong enough for surgery but weighs approximately 2 pounds – more than 500 times lighter than the devices available today. MIRA has been used for bowel resection in a clinical trial to support FDA market authorization. In 2024, MIRA will board the International Space Station to perform surgical simulations. The design aims to help patients gain access to RAS anywhere....possibly even outer space!

​Coolest Thing
Pivot Walker
- Chief Fabrication

Used for pivot irrigation, The Chief Pivot Walker was a concept brought to Chief Fabrication by a central Nebraska farmer.  The idea is to reduce pivot ruts in fields to prevent damage to equipment, injuries to livestock, and to reduce field work of closing pivot tracks, saving time and money.  The all steel wheel is practically maintenance free and will never go flat.  The wheel traps mud as it “walks” through the field and any water in the shallow track can run across the pads of the wheel either direction eliminating the squeegee effect of constant rolling tires. How cool is that? Nebraska farmer design, produced in a Nebraska manufacturing facility, and shipped all over the US and overseas.  Nebraska farmer, Nebraska manufacturing, and Nebraska used.  It doesn’t get much more Nebraska than that!

Vote for YOUR Favorite


​Voting Begins Here

    Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska Final 4 Voting