3 leading US robotics clusters create alliance

Editor’s Note: Fady Saad, co-founder of MassRobotics, and Andra Keay, managing director of Silicon Valley Robotics, will both be speaking at the Robotics Summit & Expo on May 10-11. Saad will give his talk, titled “The Rise of Robotics Unicorns,” on May 10 from 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM. Saad will review the global robotics investment landscape during this session. Keay’s talk, titled “New Initiatives to Support the Local Manufacture of Robotics Solutions,” will take place on May 10 from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM, and will review the ways Silicon Valley Robotics is working with IEEE Entrepreneurship and IEEE Robotics and Automation Society to improve awareness of robotics manufacturing experiences. 

MassRobotics, Pittsburgh Robotics Network and Silicon Valley Robotics have formed the United States Alliance of Robotics Clusters (USARC). USARC supports the development, commercialization and scaling of robotics for global good by collaborating with government and industry stakeholders. 

The organization will develop and drive U.S. robotics mandates to deliver:

• Increased collaboration and communication across U.S. robotics clusters
• Enhanced support and success for stakeholders and startups
• Focused advocacy for the robotics and artificial intelligence industries

“The development, commercialization and scaling of robotics technologies, software, hardware, systems and components is accelerating rapidly, and the vision of using robotics and automation to bring meaningful solutions to previously unsolvable challenges is a reality,” Tom Ryden, executive director of MassRobotics, said. “USARC will amplify the collective voice of our industry, innovative startups, partners and stakeholders with a goal of securing ever-increasing engagement with academia, government and industry to support U.S. robotics leadership.”

With a goal to help meet U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, USARC and its members will support: 

• Sustainability through myriad robotics application including agritech, energy efficiency, recycling and climate change
• Revitalization of local industry and economic development through the growth of robotics clusters 
• Onshoring more robotics and artificial intelligence businesses and initiatives

“The robotics industry is perfectly positioned, with the right governmental support, to help meet U.N. Sustainable Development Goals,” Joel Reed, executive director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, said. “We’re facing issues like an aging population, lack of access to arable land and clean water, and climate change resulting from inefficient energy production and utilization. Robotic technologies are addressing these issues with great success and contributing to a healthier society — and we can do much more with a unified approach.”

The U.S. robotics industry represents the fastest geography for growth and activity in the world. In 2021, robotics and automation investment in the U.S. exceeded $20 billion, 60% of the global investment total. Additionally, robotics startups are thriving in the United States as 28% of investment deals are to early-stage companies. Each of the robotics clusters within USARC has realized tenfold or better growth in the last decade (based on the number of companies in each of the clusters.) 

“The role of robotics cluster organizations must grow to keep pace with rapid expansion of robotics in the U.S. Our organizations have always worked together informally but are now collaborating strategically to increase U.S. economic productivity and sustainability,” Andra Keay, managing director of Silicon Valley Robotics, said. “The United States is the global thought leader in robotics, automation and AI, and we are applying these technologies for both the greater good and to meet global challenges.”