The Pittsburgh Robotics Network today announed that it will co-host the Robotics Factory's Aviation & Robotics Summit from April 18 to 20. The organization joined Innovation Works, which manages the Robotics Factory, as well as industry partners such as the Pittsburgh International Airport's xBridge innovation center and Future Travel Experience.
The summit's goal is “to bring the best minds in robotics and aviation together for three days of workshops, tours, and networking,” said the Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN). “This strategic collaboration will enable the connections and collaborations necessary to create and develop robotics solutions for the aviation industry’s toughest challenges.”
“It’s the PRN’s mission to connect this world-leading robotics community with a wide array of industry sectors,” stated Joel Reed, PRN president. “By pairing robotics thought leaders with aviation experts, we aim to create an environment where autonomous technologies can be applied to current and future challenges in the aviation industry.”
Aviation & Robotics Summit to address industry needs
The Aviation & Robotics Summit will consist of an interdisciplinary series of workshops, industry site tours, and networking events for participants from around the world. The event is invitation-only to maximize collaboration between aviation industry executives and robotics technologists, said the Pittsburgh Robotics Network.
However, an introductory and professional networking session before the summit on April 18 is open to the media, said the PRN. Over the next two days, workshops will help attendees understand strategic challenges and propose solutions for the most pressing ones.
Aviation-specific challenges include baggage handling, airside asset management, aircraft servicing, and workforce support and enhancement, according to Future Travel Experience.
Registration is open for innovation-focused professionals and executivces in the aviation industry.
About the Robotics Factory
Launched last month 2023 by Innovation Works, the Robotics Factory is a part of the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative with the support of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network. The Robotics Factory has three main areas of programmatic focus:
- Create Pittsburgh-area robotics startups to meet industry-defined needs
- Accelerate the growth of companies in robotics and related technologies through investment, tailored expertise, and access to networks
- Scale companies by helping to design their products for regional and domestic manufacturing
Innovation Works (IW) invests in early-stage companies developing hardware, software, and life-sciences technologies in Southwestern Pennsylvania. It is part of the statewide Ben Franklin Technology Partners, a network of four centers developed to help diversify the state’s economy and retain the innovations that are invented and incubated there.
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners are partially funded by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and overseen by its Department of Community and Economic Development. To date, IW said it has financially supported over 700 companies that have brought in an additional $3.3 billion in outside funding, making it one of the most productive uses of state dollars.
About the Pittsburgh Robotics Network
“Pittsburgh has long been the frontier of our country’s innovation,” said Reed. “Along with our partners, we continue to build on that history by applying new technologies in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence to transform the future of aviation.”
The Pittsburgh Robotics Network represents the companies and leaders who make up the Pittsburgh robotics ecosystem, which is anchored by Carnegie Mellon University. It includes more than 130 robotics organizations developing applications for over 12 commercial industry sectors.
The PRN said it mission is “to accelerate the adoption of robotic solutions by bridging this large and dynamic community, to the world.” The organization provides connections and works to expand collective knowledge and to advance robotic and artificial intelligence.
xBridge and Future Travel Experience team to advance aviation
Launched in 2020, xBridge is Pittsburgh International Airport’s proving ground for technologies and startups. The proof-of-concept and pilot site showcases new technologies in a real-world operating environment.
The xBridge is designed to capitalize on and grow the region’s technology economy. It has partnered with firms ranging from global Fortune 500 companies to local startups for projects around air purification, robotic floor scrubbers, and applying AI security wait times.
Future Travel Experience (FTE) offers in-person and digital events, online media, an innovation accelerator, working groups and industry-change initiatives. The group said it brings together airlines, airports, vendors, government agencies, destination partners, and other travel industry stakeholders to share their latest passenger experience and business performance plans and visions.
Having started with a standalone event in North America in 2006, FTE is now part of the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and hosts four annual events around the world, plus in-person and online meet-ups, as well as additional specialist events. It engages with over 50,000 global industry executives on a weekly basis.
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