Latest news with #CarnegieRobotics
Axios
15-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Pittsburgh aims to power AI future
Tech leaders in the Steel City see a big opening to expand. Why it matters: National figures are converging on the city Tuesday to pitch Pennsylvania as a future hub for energy-powered AI — and local companies, civic leaders and lawmakers want to lead the charge. Context: President Trump and Sen. Dave McCormick will be in Pittsburgh on Tuesday to promote a $70 billion plan to boost natural gas and data center development across Pennsylvania. What they're saying: Shiv Rao, CEO of AI medical documentation platform Abridge, said at the AI Horizons Summit event in the Strip District that Pittsburgh was key in launching his fast-growing company because the local talent was primed to be early in development of AI technology. Zoom in: Nicholas Robinson of Cerberus Capital Management said AI driven by domestic power is a national security matter and leaders like Sen. McCormick told him he is intent on making that point. Carnegie Robotics CEO John Barnes said he wants to see autonomous technologies expanded into the military, saying commercial companies like his are set up well to operate with the Department of Defense. Alan Shepard, president and CFO of natural gas company CNX Resources, said the Appalachian region has "everything that is needed for AI, including the power right under our feet." Pennsylvania held 106 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves as of 2022, the second most in the nation, just behind Texas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Gecko Robotics CEO Jake Loosararian said AI and robotics can help aging power plants in the Pittsburgh and Ohio Valley region run more efficiently and increase output. Caveat: Efforts to reinvent Pittsburgh after the collapse of the steel industry have come and gone. Fracking expanded in the 2010s, but the promised downstream manufacturing jobs never materialized. Autonomous vehicle companies boomed starting in 2015, and then moved, sold off or shut down by 2022. State of play: Monday's preview event came across as a sales pitch to national investors, with leaders trying to make the case that Pittsburgh is a smart bet for AI — and that the $70 billion investment is only the beginning.
Business Journals
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Journals
How a robotics center found a home and grew to become a symbol of revitalization in Lawrenceville
This is a story about catalytic development. Lawrenceville today is one of the hottest communities in the region, but it's had its ups and downs over the years. And when the decline of the steel industry devastated communities around the region, Lawrenceville was among them. In 2002, Pittsburgh Magazine described the area as 'more down and out than up and coming.' It was at about that time that the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) decided to make a bet on Lawrenceville's future. RIDC acquired the 14-acre former Heppenstall Steel Company site and a nearby chocolate factory building and began the creation of the Lawrenceville Technology Center. The Heppenstall building, a 30,000-square-foot heavy industrial high-bay facility, turned out to play a leading role in the development of the RIDC project as well as in the story of Lawrenceville's revitalization and development into 'Robotics Row.' The space was built out by RIDC and became known by its distinctive exterior as the Blue Building. It is fully occupied by Carnegie Robotics, which was spun out of Carnegie Mellon University and led by CEO John Bares, Ph.D., a founding father of robotics who served as director of the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) — which was already a neighbor in Lawrenceville. Carnegie Robotics has become a globally recognized leader in its field and a catalyst for economic growth, focused on engineering and commercializing autonomous applications. Its goal from the outset has been to research, develop and produce industry-leading autonomous solutions in the U.S. — and it has been involved in notable developments in the autonomy industry. Early in the company's history, it was chosen as part of the federal government's National Robotics Initiative. In 2014, it was chosen by the U.S. Army to develop an autonomous mine detection system. A year later, it partnered with Uber to create Uber ATG — developing the first fully autonomous, on-road cars, and achieving over 1 million miles of on-road autonomy. In 2016, Carnegie Robotics partnered with industry leader in floor cleaning, Nilfisk, to create the world's first fully autonomous and safety-certified floor care autonomous mobile robot (AMR). This partnership proved to be so successful that a new company, was spun out and is now an industry leader in this category. Today, the company supports several key U.S. DoD programs, including the DARPA RACER program, where it designs, develops and manufactures full fleets of light wheeled vehicles, plus large cables tracked platforms (tanks) that are a critical component of what is the largest robotic commercial system in the world. Today, its products serve industries as diverse as defense, agriculture, marine and manufacturing, and one of its newest products — CardShark — a military-grade, body-worn computing device, has generated significant attention. With over 10 million current accumulated total hours of autonomous robots in constant operation and powered by Carnegie Robotics, the company attracts visitors from around the world and has become one of the notable symbols of Pittsburgh's new economy — and an anchor of a revitalized Lawrenceville, one of the great turnaround stories in our region. 'When we think about catalytic development, we consider several concepts,' said RIDC President Donald F. Smith, Jr. 'Is the company likely to expand? Is it likely to attract talent from our universities and from outside our region? Will other companies see some utility in proximity and open their own facilities nearby? Is it the type of company that could produce spin-offs? Carnegie Robotics has done all those things and, along with other major developments — like Children's Hospital — has been an important catalyst for Lawrenceville's transformation.' Learn more about the Pittsburgh region's economic development agenda and RIDC's leadership role in it, providing public policy insights and developing homes for job-creating companies. The mission of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern PA is to catalyze and support economic growth and high-quality job creation through policy advocacy, real estate development and finance of projects that advance the public interest. A not-for-profit entity, RIDC's 8 million square feet of property, in 15 industrial and innovation parks, is currently home to 118 companies that support over 8,500 jobs. More information is available at
CBS News
12-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Allegheny County confirms appointment of new at-large Republican to fill vacant seat
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Allegheny County Council has confirmed the appointment of a new at-large Republican. Mike Embrescia will fill the seat that was vacated by Sam DeMarco. DeMarco stepped down from council in January to become U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick's southwestern Pennsylvania regional director. In a news release, council described Embrescia as "a seasoned executive with a distinguished career in technology and commercial real estate." Embrescia, who is the chief development officer at Carnegie Robotics, lives in Mt. Lebanon with his wife Jessica and their two young daughters. "I am honored to be appointed to Allegheny County Council and am committed to serving the residents of Allegheny County. I look forward to bringing my experience and enthusiasm to Council, and working collaboratively to make our community stronger," Embrescia said in a news release. He told council that he would bring his knowledge of real estate development, business creation and company management to the job as well as energy and enthusiasm. Embrescia lost an election for the District 5 seat in 2023 but still continued "his positive stewardship in the community," council said. Council President Pat Catena welcomed Embrescia, saying, "Mike's passion and dedication to improving our community are evident, and I look forward to working with him to achieve our shared goals. His diverse experience and collaborative approach will be invaluable to the council."
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Allegheny County Council appoints Mike Embresica to replace Sam DeMarco
Allegheny County has announced who will replace Sam DeMarco. DeMarco resigned from the council in January after 10 years to take a job with U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. He will run the senator's Western Pennsylvania office. On Wednesday, the council announced Mike Embrescia will fill the vacant position. Embresica, of Mt. Lebanon, first came to the Pittsburgh area in 2007 to work in technology and commercial real estate. He has served as Chief Developmental Officer at Carnegie Robotics and, Executive Director at the Buildings Owners and Managers Association. 'I am honored to be appointed to Allegheny County Council and am committed to serving the residents of Allegheny County. I look forward to bringing my experience and enthusiasm to Council, and working collaboratively to make our community stronger,' said Embrescia. He and his wife Jessica, an AHN Physician, are raising two daughters in the community. 'Mike's passion and dedication to improving our community are evident, and I look forward to working with him to achieve our shared goals. His diverse experience and collaborative approach will be invaluable to the council,' said Council President Patrick Catena. He was the Republican candidate for Allegheny County Council's District 5 seat in 2023 but lost that election. That district represents Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair. Despite the defeat, he has emphasized commitment to the community. 'I would bring many strengths to the post, including my knowledge of real estate development, business creation, and company management. I understand the value of engaging stakeholders and collaborating with private businesses, foundations, funders, universities, politicians, and most importantly, the citizens. My energy and enthusiasm will help inspire our team and stakeholders to be bold and endeavor to always do the right thing,' Embresica said. The council said his appointment is 'seen as a step forward in the ongoing effort to create a more inclusive and represented Allegheny County.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
