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Mitsubishi Electric Automation Announces New Startup Program Through MassRobotics

March 03, 2020 by Stephanie Leonida

Mitsubishi Electric is partnering with MassRobotics for its Factory Automation portfolio. What kind of innovative technology do you see coming out of this partnership?

Who is MassRobotics? 

MassRobotics is an independent, non-profit organization based in the U.S. and is one of the largest hubs dedicated to accelerating the development of robotics and connected devices. MassRobotics is innovative, inspiring, entrepreneurial and collaborative in its approach.

As a growing community with over 300 partners, corporations, universities, and start-ups, MassRobotics focuses on technological developments in robotics, AI, industrial automation, and more. 

MassRobotics provide robotics and automation start-ups and university researchers with laboratory and workspaces to enable the design, prototyping, testing, and commercialization of their products and solutions. In the past, they have provided STEM programs for universities and other various educational facilities around the U.S. 

The organization also provides event spaces to enhance projects in the industry and provide educational resources.

 

The Mitsubishi Electric Startup Engagement Program

One of MassRobotics collaborations with Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. was established to support Mitsubishi’s vision for the Factory of the Future. Through this collaboration came the Mitsubishi Electric Startup Engagement Program

This program was founded to help Mitsubishi Electric enhance its Factory Automation portfolio. The goal is for the organization to source Proof of Concepts (PoCs) and potential investment opportunities by utilizing the engagement program as a channel to connect with start-up companies to create new technologies and potential solutions. 

 

Mitsubishi team

Folks from the MassRobotics and Mitsubishi Electric teams meeting about the program. Image used courtesy of MassRobotics. 

 

This program runs over the course of a few months, starting last month in February and going through June. It offers the opportunity for 10 companies in the automation industry to submit their ideas and discuss their PoCs.

After consideration, the selected companies will be entered into a partnership with Mitsubishi Electric and will join them this summer in Japan for a final presentation. 

 

How is This Program Going to Advance Automation? 

Both small and large companies in the industrial automation industry are making headway with programs like this.

Earlier this year, MassRobotics received a grant to expand its facility in Massachusetts. This grant came from a few different companies including Amazon Robotics, iRobot, and more. Mitsubishi Electric was one of the companies that contributed to this grant. The grant is going to help the start-up create more space for employees and new technology. 

The engagement program is a unique opportunity for small to mid-size companies to bring their cutting-edge technology to the floor, further their development, and contribute to improving productivity and quality in the manufacturing process. 

 


What kind of technology are you hoping to see come out fo this program? Do you know of other programs like this?
 

 

Featured image used courtesy of MassRobotics.