NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Many held the city’s ceremonial gold scissors during ribbon-cutting events marking the opening of new businesses, parks and schools.
But for the first time in the city’s long and storied history, a robot cut the ribbon Thursday morning to celebrate the opening of New Bedford Research & Robotics on Purchase Street.
NBRR claims to be a key contributor to New Bedford’s innovation economy with access to cutting-edge technology that benefits startups and other partnerships.
Ariel Dorsey/Townsquare Media
Ariel Dorsey/Townsquare Media
New Bedford Research and Robotics is already up and running
The program is already up and running, and Mayor John Mitchell said it’s already having an impact across the city.
Now, New Bedford will continue to lead the way through research innovation alongside improvements made through its schools, workforce and development renovations to the city’s waterfront.
In addition to being an economic stimulus, the project plans to engage local youth and high school students, with the mission of fostering a space for young engineers to develop ideas and create things that are hard to find in a traditional classroom.
Ariel Dorsey/Townsquare Media
Ariel Dorsey/Townsquare Media
Yashika Patil, a data science student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and an intern at NBRR, said she spent two months developing the AI robot, which she said is a collaborative robot that the marine industry could eventually favor.
“The robot will work alongside humans to help identify, locate and remove parasites from fish. The machine learning AI has already been trained to detect nearby humans, react to their movements and even know how to pick up certain basic items.”
Gofa is just one of several projects the program is working on.
What is New Bedford Research & Robotics?
New Bedford Research & Robotics is a non-profit research and technology-based collaborative focused on marine technology, robotics, artificial intelligence/machine learning, clean energy, gaming and data science.
Ariel Dorsey/Townsquare Media
Ariel Dorsey/Townsquare Media
Founder and Executive Director Mark Parsons established the Robotics Innovation Program in New York City and is now bringing it to New Bedford.
“We are thrilled to have him leading New Bedford’s innovation efforts,” Mitchell said.
Read more: Massachusetts Teen’s Robot to the Rescue in Buzzards Bay
During his 24 years in Brooklyn, Parsons founded the Research and Robotics Consortium, served as director of production technology at the Pratt Institute School of Architecture, and in 2022 served as director of the New York Education Department’s version of the New York Regional Research Center.
He said he was inspired to return to his hometown after giving a TEDx talk in New Bedford in 2016 about how creativity and technology bring people together.
Ariel Dorsey/Townsquare Media
Ariel Dorsey/Townsquare Media
“This ribbon cutting demonstrates the trust we’ve built with the New Bedford community and our desire to continue creating job opportunities for the future through creativity, skill development and entrepreneurial endeavors,” Parsons said.
“We’re honored to have so many guests here today who provide inspiration for the future, and it’s exciting to watch this team grow.”
The future of New Bedford’s robotics lab
NBRR plans to begin the first phase of a major renovation project later this year.
MassDevelopment has awarded the partnership $900,000 to transform an underused Purchase Street building into a place where people can get jobs.
The city awarded the group $2.5 million under the American Rescue Plan Act, and MassDevelopment awarded it $900,000 in grant funding.
The renovation of the former Glaser Glass building at 1265 Purchase Street will showcase robotics projects, encourage collaboration and invite residents to join in.
The renovation will also create space for digital prototyping, business and technology incubation, and office uses.
Inside the Capitol Theatre in New Bedford
The long-abandoned Capitol Theatre in New Bedford is undergoing a $6 million renovation that will transform the former movie theater into a multi-use venue. Here’s what it looks like now.
WARNING: ENTERING THIS PROPERTY IS PROHIBITED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AND CAN LEAD TO BODILY INJURY AND PROSECUTION FOR TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE SUIT.
Gallery credit: Barry Richard
New Bedford’s renovated Ashley Park 2024
Mayor John Mitchell celebrated the completion of the official renovation of Ashley Park, located at the corner of Rivet Street and Orchard Street.
Gallery credit: Ariel Dorsey
