NYRN Forums: #1 – Exploring the Future of Robotics in NYC

Welcome to 2024!

2024 is a big year for the New York Robotics Network, as we continue to grow and support robotics throughout the New York Metro Area. Stay tuned for some big announcements!

Our first announcement is the launch of a new series of panel discussions we are calling NYRN Forums. NYRN Forums are deep dive talks with local experts, exploring the most relevant topics driving robotics innovation in NYC.

In partnership with Cybernetix Ventures, we are kicking off NYRN Forums with an overview of the robotics ecosystem in the area. The discussion — moderated by Brian Heater, Hardware & Robotics Editor at TechCrunch — will cover the state of robotics, the key verticals and organizations leading the way in robotics, and the unique opportunities for robotics in NYC.

Joining Brian on-stage will be our expert panel: Fady Saad, Founder & General Partner at Cybernetix Ventures; Dr. Jacqueline Libby, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Stevens Institute of Technology; and Eric Litman, Founder & CEO of Aescape.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Cybernetix Ventures. Cybernetix is a venture capital firm leading the way for investments into early-stage robotics, automation, and AI startups. Cybernetix connects its portfolio to the national and global robotics ecosystems, bringing unparalleled expertise to companies poised to make major impacts in sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics/warehousing, architecture, engineering and construction and healthcare/medical devices.

Thank You to Newlab for hosting!
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Agenda:

6:00-6:25 - Networking
6:30-6:40 - Introductions & Announcements
6:45-7:30 - Panel
7:35-7:50 - Audience Q&A
7:50-8:00+ - Closing, community announcements
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More about Brian Heater–

Brian Heater is the Hardware Editor at TechCrunch. He worked for a number of leading tech publications, including Engadget, PCMag, Laptop, and Tech Times, where he served as the Managing Editor. His writing has appeared in Spin, Wired, Playboy, Entertainment Weekly, The Onion, Boing Boing, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Beast and various other publications. He hosts the weekly Boing Boing interview podcast RiYL, has appeared as a regular NPR contributor and shares his Queens apartment with a rabbit named Juniper.

More about our Panelists–

Fady Saad, Founder & General Partner, Cybernetix Ventures
Fady Saad is the Founder and GP of Cybernetix Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on robotics, automation, and industrial AI. Prior to founding Cybernetix, Fady Co-founded MassRobotics, the first and largest robotics & AI startup escalator in the world. Fady led the multi-million dollar fundraising for the organization and architected MassRobotics’ corporate partnership program and business model. He has advised dozens of robotics startups and connected them to 150+ VCs and partners in the US & globally.

Dr. Jacqueline Libby, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Stevens Institute of Technology
Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Libby is a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Stevens Institute Technology where she heads the Robotic Systems for Health Lab. Dr. Libby has an interdisciplinary background in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Machine Learning. She received her B.Sc. from Brown University in Computer Science and her M.S. from Carnegie Mellon University in Mechanical Engineering. She earned her Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute with a focus in field robotics and machine perception. Dr. Libby received a two-year postdoctoral fellowship award at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, during which she pursued independent research in soft robotics and neural interfaces for rehabilitation medicine. At Stevens, she is continuing in robotics research for rehabilitation and other medical applications. She focuses on the development of hybrid soft-hard robotic systems and bio-interfaces for physical Human-Robot Interaction (pHRI). She mentors graduate and undergraduate students in the areas of soft robotics, mechanical design, mechatronics, machine learning, robotic perception, biosensing, and software engineering. In addition to her research, she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in applied machine learning, software engineering design, and intelligent smart health design.

Eric Litman, Founder & CEO, Aescape
Eric Litman is the Founder and CEO of Aescape, the company advancing robotics for better living. With a rich history of entrepreneurial success (founded and exited four companies), he's at the forefront of harmonizing technology and human care. At Aescape, he’s building the world’s first fully automated, customizable massage experience, giving more people control of their self care. Eric’s journey reflects a dedication to pioneering wellness solutions that are setting new standards in personalized wellness robotics.