Ribbon cut on robotics nonprofit in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — A robot cut the ribbon at New Bedford Research and Robotics, a new innovation research project on Purchase Street.

The nonprofit research organization was started by New Bedford native Mark Parsons, who started a similar program in New York City 24 years ago.

Parsons said the program will focus on marine tech, robotics, artificial intelligence/machine learning, clean energy, gaming, and data science.

“NBRR is promoting social benefit and economic health through equitable access to frontier technologies, such as industrial robotics,” Parsons sad. “We are honored
to have had so many guests here today to help inspire that future, and it’s been exciting to see this team grow.”

Mayor Jon Mitchell said the city is “thrilled” to welcome a new innovation effort.

The city had previously given the program $2.25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, and MassDevelopment awarded it $900,000 in grant funding.

The first phase of the facility’s renovation will begin later in the year.