Robot Cuts the Ribbon on New Bedford’s Research & Robotics Lab

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Many have held the city's ceremonial gold scissors at ribbon-cutting events to celebrate new businesses, parks and schools.

However, 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 beneficial for startups and other partnerships.

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New Bedford Research & Robotics Already at Work

The program is up and running, and Mayor Jon Mitchell said that it's already having an impact throughout the city.

Now, alongside improvements made through schools, the workforce and development renovation of the city's waterfront, New Bedford will continue leading the way through research innovation.

In addition to the economic stimulation, the project plans to lead the way for youth in the community and high school students. Its mission is to foster a space for young engineers to develop ideas and create things that may not easily be found in a traditional classroom.

Yashika Patil, a data science student at Umass Dartmouth and NBRR intern, said she has spent two months working on an AI robot. Gofa is a collaborative robot that the marine industry could eventually endorse, Patil said.

"The robot will work with humans to help identify, locate and remove parasites on fish. The machine-learning AI has already been trained to detect humans nearby, respond to movement and also know how to pick up specific basic items.

Gofa is just one of the multiple projects being worked on in the program.

What is New Bedford Research & Robotics?

New Bedford Research & Robotics is a nonprofit research-and-technology-based collaborative organization focusing on marine tech, robotics, artificial intelligence/machine learning, clean energy, gaming and data science.

Founder and Executive Director Mark Parsons established a robotic innovation program in New York City and brought it home now to New Bedford.

"We're thrilled that he is helping lead New Bedford's innovation efforts," Mitchell said.

READ MORE: Massachusetts Teen's Robot to the Rescue in Buzzards Bay

In his 24 years in Brooklyn, Parsons founded the Consortium for Research and Robotics, served as director of production technologies at Pratt Institute School of Architecture, and was also the director of the New York Education Department's version of NBRR in 2022.

He said he knew he wanted to come home in 2016 when he gave a TEDx talk in New Bedford about how creativity and technology can bring people together.

"This ribbon cutting is indicative of the trust we've been building with the New Bedford community and our aspirations to continue to create future-work opportunities through creativity, upskilling and entrepreneurial endeavors," Parsons said.

"We're honored to have had many guests here today to help inspire that future, and it's been exciting to see this team grow."

What's Ahead for the Robotics Lab in New Bedford

NBRR will begin the first phase of a major renovation project later this year.

MassDevelopment has granted $900,000 in partnership to help transform the underused Purchase Street building into a home where work can take place.

The city awarded the organization $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, and MassDevelopment awarded it $900,000 in grant funding.

Located at 1265 Purchase Street in the former Glaser Glass building, the transformation will showcase its robotics projects, encourage collaboration, and invite residents.

The renovation will also create spaces for digital prototyping, business and tech incubation, and office use.