Interview by Jonathan Kersting
Coming off CES, it feels like the future hit fast-forward. The noise, the scale, the ambition. It’s a lot to process, especially when robotics and autonomy are no longer side attractions but center stage. To help make sense of it all, We are joined by Kevin Dowling of Innovation Works and the Robotics Factory, one of the architects of Pittsburgh’s robotics ecosystem and someone who’s seen this industry evolve from research labs to global markets.
Kevin shares what stood out most at CES, from the rise of humanoids and autonomous systems to the critical components quietly powering the next generation of machines. We talk about why CES has become less about gadgets and more about serious business, investment, and global collaboration, and how Pittsburgh’s fingerprints are showing up everywhere, even when people don’t realize it.
We also zoom back home to look at what’s ahead for the Robotics Factory and Innovation Works in the coming year. New accelerator cohorts, expanded investment activity, major announcements on the horizon, and a growing pipeline of startups turning ideas into real, scalable companies. If you’re curious about where robotics is headed, how Pittsburgh fits into that global story, and what opportunities are emerging right now, this conversation is a great place to start.
The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to Explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.