The Robotics Factory, an initiative of Innovation Works and the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, has selected five promising local robotics companies to join its inaugural Scale Residency program. The year-long residency aims to provide resources and support to help accelerate these startups from concept to commercialization stage.

The five companies making up the first Scale Residency cohort are ESTAT Actuation, KEF Robotics, Thiopoly, Thorne Baby, and Piximo. Each was chosen for their innovative technologies and strong potential in their respective robotics sectors.

"The Scale program helps these companies grow from concept to commercialization," stated Kevin Dowling, managing director of The Robotics Factory. "Our staff offers guidance to these budding startups, all of which have found product-market fit and further solidify this region as a global robotics hub."

Over the next 12 months, the five resident companies will receive access to The Robotics Factory's facilities in the city's "Robotics Row" district, as well as cutting-edge prototyping tools, grant funding, connections to local manufacturers, training resources, and hands-on support from engineers and entrepreneurial experts.

The Scale Residency cohort showcases the diversity of Pittsburgh's robotics ecosystem:

• ESTAT Actuation has developed lightweight, compact electro-adhesive clutches and brakes far more efficient than conventional hardware.
• KEF Robotics provides state-of-the-art autonomy software using computer vision for autonomous drone flights.
• Thiopoly is creating accurate physical medication models to enable highly precise drug dispensing systems.
• Thorne Baby has designed an innovative portable, self-assembling play yard for young children.
• Piximo constructs mobile minimarts operated by remote drivers with an eye towards production scalability.

"Pittsburgh is already home to over 100 robotics companies. The Scale Residency gives these five pioneers access to that deep local ecosystem and connections," said Dowling. "Our goal is to guide them in designing for manufacturability, prototyping, finding the right production partners, and scaling their operations."

The Residency is funded through a $63 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded to the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative. In addition to Scale, The Robotics Factory runs an Accelerate program nurturing early-stage robotics startups.

As an established hub of robotics research and innovation, Pittsburgh aims to translate its expertise into company and job creation through supportive programs like The Robotics Factory's Scale Residency. The five companies in the inaugural cohort represent the region's pioneering efforts to birth the next generation of successful commercial robotics companies.