A new manufactoring facility of Gideon, one of Croatia’s most successful technology startups developing autonomous robotic systems for logistics, has been opened in Bolingbrook, a suburb of Chicago.

At the invitation of Josip Ćesić, CEO of Gideon, and member of the Advisory and Alumni Boards of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER), Dean Vedran Bilas attended the grand opening on October 16, 2025. He also took part in the panel "Physical-AI – Transforming the Physical World" alongside experts from Gideon, NVIDIA, and Prologis Ventures, one of the world’s largest companies in the logistics and supply chain sector.

This event marks a major step in Gideon’s expansion into the North American market, as well as a significant milestone for Croatia’s high-tech industry on the global stage.

Gideon, founded by FER alumni Josip Ćesić, PhD, and Edin Kočo, PhD, demonstrates how the world-class knowledge and skills gained at FER can lead to success on the international scene.

The opening brought together leading experts in robotics and logistics, investors, and users of autonomous robotic systems from the United States and the European Union. The ceremony was also attended by H. E. Pjer Šimunović, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the United States.

During the event, Dean Bilas highlighted the importance of developing top engineers and business leaders at FER and emphasized the Faculty’s crucial role in fostering Croatian technology companies that successfully compete in global markets.