The Pittsburgh region is home to about 100 robotics and autonomy companies, employing more than 6,000 people and contributing nearly $3.2 billion in economic activity. But those impressive numbers didn’t happen by accident.
Hard work by public-private partnerships, universities and others laid the foundation for a thriving tech and robotics ecosystem, one that startup Thoro.ai credits with its March 2021 launch.
Building on technology that originated at Carnegie Robotics, the company’s systems enable safe, reliable and versatile autonomous robots that can navigate in high-traffic areas such as airports, retail environments, hospitals and schools.
As part of its commitment to giving back to the region, Thoro.ai is both sponsoring and mentoring a local school district’s robotics team.
A panel at the Wall Street Journal’s annual Future of Everything Festival featured three prominent voices from the Pittsburgh region’s tech community, according to Technical.ly.
The panel, which discussed tech and accessibility issues, included Fifth Season CEO and Co-founder Austin Webb; Carnegie Bosch Institute President Christopher Martin and Astrobotic General Counsel Justine Kasznica.
Panelists outlined how they are thinking ahead to ensure the benefits of their work are available to everyone. Moderator Elena Corchero, the Wall Street Journal’s director of emerging tech, said the Pittsburgh region is “giving Silicon Valley a run for its money.”
“Together, we can help ensure that Black tech founders receive equal access to investment opportunities.”
Black Tech Nation Founder and CEO Kelauni Jasmyn on F.N.B.’s $2.5 million commitment to Black Tech Nation Ventures, which will help to democratize access to VC capital and generate wealth for marginalized communities
