Top Industries

ROBOTICS & TECHNOLOGY 

Forging New Frontiers in Technology 

Welcome to the birthplace of artificial intelligence and a global hub for robotics.

Pennsylvania’s pioneering legacy is closely linked to Carnegie Mellon University, where the field of AI was invented and the world’s first doctoral program in robotics was founded. Today, companies across the state are trailblazing innovations in autonomous vehicles, space exploration, advanced manufacturing, precision medicine, and beyond.

Home to two of the nation’s top 10 universities for robotics, Pennsylvania is a magnet for top talent in the field. Companies here benefit from cutting-edge R&D institutions, a strong network of venture capital opportunities, and billions of dollars in federal funding through the CHIPS Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act. We’re staying ahead of the curve to build breakthrough technologies that will redefine industries.

Companies like Pittsburgh’s Astrobotic are already proving that in the Commonwealth, the sky’s not the limit — it’s just the beginning. With $4 million in state funding to expand their headquarters, they’re leading innovation in space robotics for lunar and planetary missions. The next decade in Pennsylvania promises even more growth, with nearly 17,000 net new jobs projected across our robotics and technology industries. Bring your business here to push the boundaries of possibility. 

Technician evaluating the Robot Testing

“We’ve really benefited from having this ecosystem of not only all the wonderful people to be able to hire out of the universities, but also an ecosystem of venture funding and the ability to fuel the growth of these companies.” — Gavin Kenneally, CEO of Ghost Robotics

“We’re using robotics and software to help change the way critical industries like defense, manufacturing, and energy production build and operate. And none of that would have been possible without the unique ecosystem we have in western PA. We have a huge opportunity to build an unstoppable economic engine, bringing government and entrepreneurs together to solve real-world problems.” — Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics

 “If data science were a country, Pittsburgh would be the capital.” — Dr. Rebecca Nugent, Fienberg Professor of Statistics & Data Science and Department Head, Carnegie Mellon University 

#1 AI Program in the Country (Carnegie Mellon University)

U.S. News & World Report, 2025
2 of the Top 10 Universities for Robotics EduRank, 2024
17,000 Net New Jobs Projected Across Robotics & Tech Sectors Ten-Year Strategic Plan for Economic Development in Pennsylvania
$3.12 Billion Raised by Pittsburgh Tech Economy in 2023 Pittsburgh Inno, 2023

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