NEWSLETTER // DECEMBER 2025

🎉 HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! 🎉

2025 has been a pivotal year for NY Robotics, with lots of growth, change and impact on the community and ecosystem.
We couldn’t have done it without your support and participation!
In order to continue to be our best and grow, we need to hear from you!
How can we do better?
How can we be more impactful to our business?
To your education?
... and more importantly, what have we done for you already?
We are looking for quotes for our new website, from founders, partners, community members and more.
Have something to say, send us a note!

There are big things happening for 2026 and we are SO excited to share them with you soon!

– Jacob & Randy

NY ROBOTICS NEWS

EVAN BEARD TESTIFIES IN FRONT OF CONGRESS!

Evan Beard (CEO & co-Founder of Standard Bots) recently testified before Congress, sharing expert insights on the role of robotics and advanced manufacturing in strengthening U.S. competitiveness and industrial resilience. His testimony highlighted how continued investment in automation and innovation is critical to scaling domestic manufacturing and securing future economic growth.

Watch the testimony on C-SPAN →

NYU launches Center for Robotics
and Embodied Intelligence

NYU Tandon has launched the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence (CREO), establishing a major new East Coast hub for AI-driven robotics research and education. The Center brings together more than 70 faculty, Ph.D. students, and researchers, developing intelligent machines designed to sense, navigate, and act autonomously in complex real-world environments — from operating rooms to disaster zones. Backed by NYU’s $1 billion investment in engineering, the Center anchors new interdisciplinary collaboration in their flagship Brooklyn facility.

New York Robotics is honored to have New York University as a Founding Partner. We are excited to continue working with everyone at NYU Tandon, to make the New York/Tri-State region a leader in robotics and embodied intelligence.

A BIG Congratulations and Thank You to all the Tandon professors and leadership, especially Ludovic Righetti and Chen Feng and co-directors of the Center.

Interested in working with the city?

NYCEDC has launched a new Drones & Robotics landing page, highlighting how New York City is advancing real-world deployment of robotics. Alongside the site, NYCEDC released an interest form for startups and companies looking to pilot, partner, or collaborate with the City on robotics and drone initiatives.

STARTUP NEWS

Viam Partners with Universal Robots on Industrial Automation Systems

Viam provides manufacturers with all-in-one robotic solutions that transform production. Leveraging cobots from Universal Robots, Viam has developed an AI-powered robotic surfacing system that helps accelerate key manufacturing processes, reduce delays, and ensure consistency. As manufacturers struggle with ongoing labor shortages, Viam's solutions can offer the opportunity to automate the most challenging and physically demanding tasks, unlocking new growth opportunities for companies and their teams.

Pliant Energy Systems selected by NATO

Pliant Energy Systems has been selected for the NATO DIANA 2026 Challenge Program, with its C-Ray Amphibious AUV/ROV recognized under the Autonomy and Unmanned Systems call area.
Selected from more than 3,600 applicants, Pliant will work with MassChallenge Boston and DIANA’s global network of experts and test centers to align the platform with real-world operational needs. Read more to see how this milestone accelerates Pliant’s pathway toward defense and dual-use adoption.

The NYR team recently visited Root Access in their new Manhattan offices.

It is a true pleasure to meet the people that make up this growing ecosystem, and it's truly amazing to see the work you are doing.

We want to visit your office/workshop/lab!

Reach out and let's schedule a visit! We always come with swag and snacks!

STARTUP PROFILE

MANIFOLD ROBOTICS

Manifold Robotics is a Brooklyn-based Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology company specializing in EMF-guided drone sensors to revolutionize power line inspections. By detecting and following the electromagnetic fields emitted by energized lines, their system enables autonomous, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. The Manifold technology delivers a scalable solution that significantly cuts inspection costs, enhances safety, and improves grid resilience for utility companies.

Manifold recently announced the successful completion of a pilot with New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Read more about their work in their profile on the NYSERDA Innovator Series, and see a video of the Manifold UAS in action in this short segment from NYSERDA's celebration of the 'Shore to Shore Innovation' program.

With the recent completion of the NYSERDA pilot, the Manifold team is working to secure additional pilots. If you work for – or if you know someone that works for – a utility company (or another applicable application) and would be interested in piloting Manifold Robotics technology, please reach out to Manifold CEO, Jeffrey Laut.

UPCOMING EVENTS

New York Robotics is excited to support AlleyCorp's newest initiative, Deep Tech New York (DTNY) – an invite-only summit in NYC on Jan. 28, 2026.

This inaugural, full day conference, centered on the theme “Conversations for Tomorrow” will feature a lineup of visionary leaders across the entire landscape of deep tech – including robotics, space, materials science, biotech, energy, mobility, and more.

The day will be full of TED-style speakers and demos, showcasing the remarkable technologies and research that will fundamentally reshape the next 50 years.

Request an Invitation →

Join NY Robotics at Manifest 2026

NY Robotics Executive Director Jacob Hennessey-Rubin will be speaking at Manifest 2026, joining industry leaders to discuss the future of robotics, automation, and real-world deployment at scale. The panel will explore how emerging technologies are reshaping supply chains, infrastructure, and industry ecosystems.

Manifest is the premier global event for supply chain and logistics innovation, happening February 9-11, 2026, in Las Vegas at The Venetian, bringing together Fortune 500 executives, tech innovators, investors, and logistics providers to explore future trends in AI, automation, sustainability, and more to transform how goods move globally.