Pittsburgh weekly roundup: New startups on Robotics Row; Local government and AI; Aurora public offering

Startups are revving up on Robotics Row

Wearable devices that help blind people navigate and a recycling station that reclaims plastics are among the projects Pittsburgh can anticipate thanks to the newest cohort of the Robotics Factory’s Accelerate program.

After its first run, five more companies will get up to $100,000 in investment, six months of structured programming and content, personalized one-on-one time with industry experts and network-building opportunities.

➡️ Find out more about the program in Aakanksha’s latest piece

A patchwork approach to local AI regulation

Both Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh have taken action to regulate their use of AI technology.

For the county, it’s a work in progress, starting with a pause on ChatGPT and similar programs; for the city, it involves creating internal guidelines informed both by Pitt Cyber’s research and a national coalition of municipal governments.

➡️ Read on for a closer look at the gaps in current AI policies

Calling all AI startups looking to grow

Comcast NBCUniversal is on the lookout for startups revolutionizing how we integrate AI into our professional and daily lives to join the next cohort of the LIFT Labs Accelerator. The five-week program, running Oct. 14 to Nov. 15, is designed for startups at various stages, from pre-seed to enterprise-ready.

Leaders are seeking innovative AI solutions that transform work environments, facilitate collaborative efforts across teams and organizations, improve accessibility and inclusivity, increase personal productivity, supercharge supply and demand planning, boost climate resilience and upskill the workforce of tomorrow.

➡️Get all the details and apply online by Aug. 4

This client spotlight supports our journalism. Want to see your message here? Contact sales@technical.ly

News Incubator: What else to know

• Self-driving car company Aurora canceled its second-quarter investors call. Instead, it announced an underwritten public offering for up to $420 million of its common stock. [Pittsburgh Business Times]

• Comcast awarded $150,000 to Allegheny County organizations working to close the digital divide. Recipients include the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, Neighborhood Allies, STEM Coding Lab and Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania. [Comcast]

• Walnut Capital’s plans for expanding the development of Bakery Square are delayed again. The half-billion office, housing and storefront deal still needs approval from the city planning commission. [CBS]

• Traffic light improvements are coming to more than 20 Allegheny County intersections, thanks to $6.1 million in state grants. [PUP News]

• TiE Young Entrepreneurs wrapped up its seven-week pilot program teaching young people how to start a business. The winning pitch? A high schooler’s idea for autonomous robots to assist inbound logistics. [Kidsburgh]

• This perfectly crafted headline highlights a local agricultural squabble: “These Pittsburgh law(n)breakers are cutting it close to city property codes, and getting (weed)wacked with consequences.” [Pittsburgh City Paper]

🗓️ On the Calendar

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