Governor Patrick Visits MassTLC Robotics Cluster

Mass Technology Leadership Council was pleased to host Governor Deval Patrick at today's monthly Robotics Cluster meeting, held at iRobot Corporation in Bedford, MA. Governor Patrick said that "extraordinary advances are happening in the robotics industry and today's discussion will help us foster this critical and burgeoning sector of our economy."

At the meeting, industry leaders spoke about the diversity of ongoing robotics research in areas such as defense, healthcare, homeland security, logistics, marine, and other sectors critical to the region's economy. The Governor saw robots that neutralize roadside bombs, patrol the oceans, automate warehouse distribution, rehabilitate patients, and vacuum floors.

Included in the dialogue with the Governor was a discussion of the unique characteristics of the Massachusetts robotic industry. Cluster members highlighted the fact that Massachusetts has a wide range of companies serving a very diverse set of markets, a group of 9 universities engaged in cutting-edge research, track record of innovation and commercial success, critical mass of workers, and the only robotics engineering degree in the country (at Worcester Polytechnic Institute).

The meeting ended with a discussion of the Cluster's goals which are to double employment and revenue by 2015; establish an academic consortium; and increase cluster identity, visibility, and connections.

The Mass Robotics Cluster was formed by the Council in 2005 to bring together companies, institutions, and individuals engaged in robotics research, education, and product design and commercialization. The Cluster includes a broad range of 80 companies, 9 Massachusetts colleges and universities, and service firms that support the industry. The 80 companies in the Cluster employ over 2,500 people and generate sales in excess of $942 million annually.

The changing demographics of the US will raise the need for the capabilities that robotics can deliver. Massachusetts is currently the US leader of this new and emerging industry. "This was a great opportunity to help showcase to the Governor the growing robotics industry in Massachusetts," said Council President Joyce L. Plotkin. "We are pleased that the governor has agreed to work with the Cluster to raise its profile and to reach out to other important constituencies."

Information about the industry was collected as part of a "Cluster Development" grant from the John Adams Innovation Institute of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

See the press release from the Governor's Office here.

View more pictures from this event here. 

Robotics Cluster Overview

The Council’s Robotics Cluster fosters economic development through education, knowledge-sharing, and relationship building among the region’s leading robotic companies, academic research laboratories, and related organizations. The cluster examines business and government applications of existing and future robotic technology through public and private meetings with industry leaders, researchers, and policy makers.

The Robotics Cluster Advisory Board meets on a regular basis and is open to member executives with direct experience/expertise in the Robotics field. The Organizing Committee convenes breakfast briefings where industry experts discuss the latest issues and are available for general Q&A from the audience. These sessions highlight the critical role of the Massachusetts Robotics Cluster in the research, development, and deployment of robotic technologies worldwide.

 

Recent Initiatives include:

  • Cluster reception featuring CEOs of BlueFin, Foster-Miller, and iRobot at Holland & Knight. Also highlighted WPI FIRST Robotic Team 190; Northeastern's "lobster" robot; Black-I Robotics and others.
  • Cluster "Poster Wall" featuring 30+ local robotic companies and universities
  • MA Robotics Cluster Brochure highlighting local robotics community
  • Cluster worked with RoboBusiness organizers to be sure local ground robot, underwater robot, sensor/subsystem, and healthcare robotic companies were represented in speaking roles; Cluster also secured public official to speak
  • Cluster Booth at RoboBusiness Show (member companies shared 20x20 space to reduce cost)
  • Cluster worked with Economic Development to get the robotics cluster visibility with Commonwealth leaders
  • Cluster worked with Mass Tech Collaborative to secure John Adams Innovation Grant for visioning and planning long-term cluster development activities
  • Cluster Ribbons identifying local companies and universities on badges at RoboBusiness
  • Cluster support in establishment of National Robotics Center and Consortium
  • Cluster company presentations and tours to facilitate intra-cluster collaborations
  • Cluster Advisory Board Meetings to facilitate relationships, knowledge sharing, and partnering
  • A breakfast briefing program on Robotics in HealthCare: Battlefield Extraction, Neurosurgery, Rehabilitation, Prosthetics, and Beyond
  • A networking event and viewing for Robotics Cluster members of the Star Wars Exhibit at the Museum of Science

Mission

The mission of the MA Robotics Cluster is to raise awareness of region’s robotics industry throughout the United States, attracting thought-leaders and resources, and to grow the robotics industry in Massachusetts by creating opportunities for new and existing companies.

What People Are Saying...

“There is no better place in the world to start a robotics enterprise than in Massachusetts.”

- Dr. Rodney Brooks, iRobot co-founder & CTO, and Director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab

“Massachusetts has all of the elements necessary to maintain and broaden its role in mobile robotics and intelligent systems.”

- Dan Kara, President, Robotics Trends

“The combination of world-renowned academic and industrial strengths guarantees that the Massachusetts robotics industry will make huge contributions to healthcare."

- Ron Newbower, Co-founder, CIMIT (Center for the Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technologies)

“The highly educated labor force in Massachusetts provides a competitive advantage that has fueled our business for the past fifty years.”
- Dr. William Ribich, President, Foster-Miller

“One of my fondest robot memories is of a gorgeous 1971 hydraulic arm at Marvin Minsky's MIT AI Lab in Technology Square that reached back under computer control and ripped out its own shoulder. Since then Massachusetts robots have overcome their suicidal tendencies and developed caring personalities, military and industrial applications, online avatars, and are now even vacuuming rugs.”

- Bob Metcalfe, MIT engineer, Ethernet inventor, 3Com founder, Infoworld pundit, and now Polaris Venture Partners partner

Council Representative:

Ian McGuinness, Program Manager, 617-437-0600 x13