The inaugural Robotics Summit & Showcase (May 23-24 in Boston) kicked off in style with a VIP Reception at MassRobotics, the independent, non-profit organization whose mission is helping grow the Massachusetts robotics community.

MassRobotics, the exclusive strategic partner for the Robotics Summit, hosted an intimate crowd of the Summit’s speakers and sponsors for two-plus hours of networking, a tour of the facility, and live demos of some of the robots in residence.

Scott McCafferty, co-founder and managing partner of WTWH Media, parent company of The Robot Report and the Robotics Summit & Showcase, thanked MassRobotics for playing a vital role in launching the event in Boston – the robot capital of the world.

“What you’ll see at the Robotics Summit is the right type of content that focuses on the design and development of robotics systems,” McCafferty said. “The Robotics Summit will put the flag in the ground that if you’re going to design and build robotics systems, you’re going to do it in Boston.”

The Robotics Summit focuses on the design, development, manufacture and delivery of commercial class robotics and intelligent systems products and services. The Robotics Summit features two full days of enlightening keynotes, including Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, DHL, GE, Harvard and Jabil, and general sessions in four tracks delivered by the world’s leading robotics and business professionals.

Thanks to @MassRobotics for a great reception to kick off the @Robotics_Summit. Still time to get your tickets and learn from the best minds in #robotics. Pepper is so excited for the Summit it couldn’t contain itself. #robots https://t.co/1phXQxhg3A pic.twitter.com/fVTtW7M9GJ

— Steve Crowe (@SteveCrowe) May 23, 2018

“Massachusetts is a global hub of robot technology development and innovation,” Tom Ryden, executive director, MassRobotics, said recently. “As Boston is a leading international robotics cluster, there must be a compelling conference to support the growing group of engineers, technical managers, business professionals and investors involved in this marketplace. Teaming with WTWH Media, the producers of The Robot Report, to bring the Robotics Summit to Boston supports our mission of bringing robotics to life.”

Attendees will also meet or learn about some of the world’s most innovative robots, including Cassie, SpotMini, Mecademic’s Meca500, the world’s smallest 6-axis robot arm, Waypoint Robotics Vector mobile robot, cobot arms from Universal Robots, unmanned ground vehicles from Endeavor Robotics and many more.

MassRobotics Continues to Expand

MassRobotics, which in February 2018 was awarded a $2.5 million MassWorks grant by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, will build-out up to 35,000 sq. ft. of additional space that can hold up to 70 startups. The new spaced will also include private offices; open shared lab, prototyping and test space; a machine shop with 3D printers, laser cutters, and other tools to help make parts; electronics lab; and dedicated labs for advanced manufacturing robots and university-supported research. There will also be public event space and a dedicated STEM lab where students and others can learn about the latest technologies that will be impact and inspire them.

MassRobotics has continued to add new partners and renew partnerships with global robotics and technology companies that provide strategic guidance and help fund MassRobotics programs. Fady Saad, MassRobotics’ co-founder and director of partnerships recently announced the following signed partnership agreements:

iRobot signed an exclusive five-year partnership in the consumer home robot cleaning segment. iRobot’s product line, including the Roomba robot vacuum and Braava family of mopping robots, feature advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation.

Panasonic renewed its annual partnership after a successful 2017 engagement, which included a Technology Day event organized by MassRobotics and a high-level board visit early in 2018.

Amazon Robotics, a founding partner of MassRobotics, is now an Annual Partner.

Harmonic Drive renewed its annual partnership, and will take a seat on MassRobotics’ upcoming advisory board, and will have naming rights in the new facility.

Faurecia, the largest international automotive parts manufacturer in the world, is a new Annual Partner. Faurecia designs and manufactures automobile seats, exhaust systems and interior systems; one in four automobiles globally is equipped by Faurecia.

New Annual Partner, SMC, is a leader in pneumatic technology, providing industry with technology and products to support automation based on the guiding principle of “contributing to automation labor savings in industry.”

Recent commitments from Annual Partners total $550,000 and bring the total funding from corporate partners to nearly $1.8M. As a result of both private and public investment, MassRobotics now features:

• 30 resident startups in its space
• 50-plus events organized in the last year
• Two graduate startups: Square Robot, with 15 people and an investment from Philips
• Ventures; and American Robotics, now at 10 people and $3M-plus in seed funding
• 30 strategic and corporate partners

“A decade ago there were only a handful of robotics companies in Massachusetts, and now there are well over one hundred,” said Anders Bialek, vice president of corporate development at iRobot. “iRobot is committed to fostering an already strong ecosystem of robotics companies in Massachusetts and supporting the next wave of entrepreneurs in the space as they pursue a path to success. MassRobotics plays a very important role in facilitating and growing relationships within the region’s robotics ecosystem, and iRobot is proud to be a part of it.”