Novanta Partners With MassRobotics to Nurture Robotics Startups

Novanta Inc. yesterday said it has partnered with MassRobotics to help build the next generation of robotics startups. Novanta business units Celera Motion and ATI Industrial Automation will collaborate with MassRobotics to advance innovations in medical robotics and improve robot productivity.

“As a Boston-based company with technology development and manufacturing in Massachusetts, Novanta is uniquely positioned to be a leader in developing robotics talent for the region," said Brian Young, chief human resources officer at Novanta.

Novanta is a technology partner to manufacturers of medical and advanced industrial systems. The Bedford, Mass.-based company said it has proprietary expertise in photonics, vision, and precision motion technologies.

Novanta part of Massachusetts ecosystem

MassRobotics is an independent, nonprofit organization supporting the Massachusetts robotics commmunity. The organization provides entrepreneurs and startups with the workspace and resources they need to develop and commercialize robotics products.

The Massachusetts robotics cluster includes about 400 companies, according to MassRobotics, which has 65 resident startups in Boston and 40 strategic partners. The collective said it brings together innovators and existing technology organizations through programming and events to nurture the next generation of talent.

“We are proud to support MassRobotics in its critical mission to create advanced robotics, particularly in the medical field,” said Matthijs Glastra, CEO of Novanta. “We are fortunate to be in a unique setting in the Boston area, surrounded by the world’s top hospitals, medical laboratories, and educational institutions. That has given rise to a unique regional ecosystem of resources — with the necessary talent, knowledge networks, infrastructure and financial resources — to produce the best in medical/surgical robotics.”

Celera, ATI to support robot motion innovations

Celera Motion offers motion-control components and subsystems for OEMs serving a variety of markets. It offers precision encoders, motors, and customized mechatronic systems. The Bedford, Mass.-based company said it will collaborate with MassRobotics, as well as with other organizations, companies, and research institutions, to develop new applications, especially in medical robotics.

“We’re excited to be part of the Boston area’s robotics community, one that is leading the next wave of technology,” said Kalpana Singh, president and general manager of Celera Motion. “Together, we are simultaneously fostering and benefiting from our area’s incredibly innovative culture. The future is very bright for our industry, and we can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together.”

ATI Industrial Automation develops robot arm tooling and accessories, including automatic tool changers, multi-axis force/torque sensing systems, utility couplers, material removal tools, robotic collision sensors, manual tool changers, and compliance devices. The Apex, N.C.-based company claimed its robot end effectors are used in thousands of successful applications around the world.

ATI Industrial Automation, which Novanta acquired last year, said it will work with MassRobotics to develop "sophisticated technological solutions that improve robotic productivity."

“We’re thrilled to partner with MassRobotics to engineer the best innovations for the most demanding applications,” said Robert Little, president and general manager of ATI Industrial Automation. “We love to work with people as passionate about robotics as we are, and we see incredible opportunities ahead for exciting new advancements."