Emerging robotics startups now have a space to call their own in Massachusetts.
MassRobotics, an independent, non-profit hub serving to inspire and bring robotics startups, initiatives and investments to life, is opening its initial office, laboratory and test space.
The collaborative workspace includes the labs and equipment needed to help young robotics companies develop and scale their concepts and prototypes.
Located at 12 Channel Street in Boston’s Seaport Innovation District, the organization is leasing nearly 15,000 sq ft and will develop an additional 25,000 sq ft MassRobotics is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony tomorrow to officially open the space.
Thomas Ryden, executive director, MassRobotics, says: “We are excited to now offer shared workspace designed to support companies, robotics technologies and the robots they are developing. The building, which can host everything from drones to self-driving cars, is a perfect location to help build the premier hub of robotics development in the country.”
The fifth floor – MassRobotics’ “alpha” space – features six private, furnished offices that can support almost 30 people, and shared workspace for up to an additional 60 people.
It includes 7,000 sq ft of open workshop and lab space, fully equipped with workbenches and power for robotics companies to rent on an as-needed basis.
The space also has 2,000 sq ft of shared lab/prototyping space with a machine shop, 3D printers, electronics lab and robotic platforms like a dual-armed collaborative robot.
Resident amenities include a common, stocked kitchen as well as office equipment, phones, conference rooms and more for resident use.
MassRobotics offers resident companies and the regional robotics industry best-in-class infrastructure and prototyping facilities to enable the development of robotics systems for this rapidly growing regional industry.
In addition, MassRobotics connects and grows the support ecosystem for entrepreneurs by providing them with access to the investors, service providers, mentors, researchers and companies that are relevant to the robotics industry.
The space will serve as a venue for regular robotics industry meetings, competitions, international activities and public education sessions.
Initial residents include:
- American Robotics;
- Digital Alloys;
- Hurdler Motors;
- Air Force Research Lab; and
- Square Robots.
Mayor Martin Walsh, says: “I’m pleased to welcome MassRobotics to the city of Boston, a new addition to Boston’s innovation ecosystem that will build on our emerging robotics industry in the Seaport.
“MassRobotics will serve as a collaborative resource for Boston’s entrepreneurs, offering access to facilities and cutting-edge equipment that will help companies bring their new ideas to life. I look forward to seeing these companies grow and develop exciting, new technology that has the potential to change how we interact with the world around us.”
MassRobotics partners and sponsors include:
- Amazon Robotics;
- iRobot;
- Arrow Electronics;
- Deshpande Foundation;
- Harmonic Drive;
- Brain Robotics Capital;
- Autodesk;
- Cambridge Innovation Center;
- IDA Ireland;
- SolidWorks;
- Vecna Technologies;
- Panasonic;
- Liberty Mutual;
- Rethink Robotics; and
- Mass Technology Leadership Council.
Due to the growing interest and demand from startups and companies to reside in MassRobotics, the team has already launched a fundraising campaign to build out an additional 25,000 sq ft state-of-the-art robotics innovation space in the building.
The robotics cluster in the state currently has more than 150 companies with more than $2 billion in sales.
