Pittsburgh is known as the Robotics Capital of the World, and for good reason. The region, which is the birthplace and testing ground of the worldwide autonomous vehicle industry, boasts over 100 robotics industry organizations and over $3.4 billion in investment, as well as over 20 academic and research institutions with some of the highest levels of R&D funding in the nation.

This impressive Pittsburgh robotics, AI and automation community will be well-represented at the automation industry's leading networking event as Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) executive director Joel Reed and program director Jenn Apicella travel to Orlando, Florida to participate in the A3 Business Forum. This year the forum, which takes place from January 31-February 2, also serves as the kickoff of an official partnership between A3 and the PRN.

The A3 (Association for Advancing Automation) is the leading global automation trade association which represents more than 1,100 organizations involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision, motion control, and related automation technologies. Through this partnership, A3 and the PRN will receive mutual recognition and support, and PRN member organizations will be able to receive exclusive A3 discounts and admission to members-only industry events. The PRN and its partners currently have access to the A3 network of automation-focused companies, and this new partnership further solidifies the relationship between the two organizations.

Nearly 650 global automation leaders attended the A3 Business Forum in 2020, with many of them comprising the senior leadership of their respective companies. While Joel and Jenn will be attending on behalf of the diverse Pittsburgh robotics ecosystem this year, both have previous robotics and/or corporate experience. Joel has 25 years strategy, business development and startup experience, including as CEO at IAM Robotics, where he led a $20M Series A and secured the industry’s first deployment of mobile picking robots for e-commerce fulfillment. Jenn spent a majority of her career at IBM before becoming President of both Build412 Tech and GetWITit Pittsburgh (Women in Tech). These backgrounds will come in handy as they make connections with industry leaders from across the United States (including in the two other major robotics hubs, Silicon Valley and Boston), and internationally.

“Pittsburgh is already known as a global leader in robotics and automation, but it can be difficult for those not fortunate enough to be based here to have a true understanding of the breadth and scale of the developments that are occurring,” says Joel Reed. “We look forward to using this partnership with A3, as well as our attendance at the A3 Business Forum, to collaborate with our industry colleagues and expand the reach, influence and connectivity of our regional robotics ecosystem.”

Those interested in engaging with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network can get in touch at https://robopgh.wpengine.com/contact-us.