In 2025, the ARM Institute marched into its eighth year of operations armed with 470+ member organizations and thousands of subject matter experts spanning industry, government, and academia ready to continue executing on our shared mission to strengthen US manufacturing. In partnership with our members and government partners, we identified new opportunities to advance robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and workforce development, catalyzing $3.8M in investments through Project Calls, helping 119,000+ workers and job seekers connect to robotics manufacturing career opportunities, and igniting critically needed partnerships.
As we celebrate our impact, we also thank each ARM Member and internal ARM Institute team member who contributed to our mission. Executing on our visionary mission requires a broad arsenal of voices representing every facet of US manufacturing.
Below, explore just a few highlights from 2025.
Business & Operational Highlights
Jorgen Pedersen Joins the ARM Institute as CEO
In June 2025, we welcomed Jorgen Pedersen as our CEO following Ira Moskowitz’s retirement in the same time period. Jorgen was appointed following a robust national search by the ARM Institute Board of Directors. With the ARM Institute’s strong reputation both as a national industry leader and as a top workplace, there was immense interest in the position.
Jorgen was familiar with the ARM Institute prior to his appointment having been an ARM Institute Member when he was the CEO of his company RE2 Robotics. During his time as a Member, Jorgen also helped to drive the ARM Institute’s technical strategy as a member of our Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
Jorgen hit the ground running in his role as CEO with the 2025 ARM Institute Annual Member Meeting taking place just four short months after his appointment. Since then, Jorgen has been crafting and refining the institute’s strategic plan moving forward in collaboration with the ARM Institute leadership team. We will share more about this plan in 2026 as it is formalized.
ARM Institute Secures New Five Year, $87M Cooperative Agreement with Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
In November, we announced our new Cooperative Agreement (CA) with the Department of Air Force (DAF), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The CA has a total ceiling of a combined $87.66M of government funding and ARM Institute cost-share. The ARM Institute will perform research, development, testing, and evaluation to advance the state of the art in dual-use robotics and automation technologies of interest to the DAF, as advanced robotics and automation technology is critical for the commercial industrial base and organic sustainment enterprise. This will be accomplished by leveraging the existing and growing ARM Institute member consortium through ARM Institute-led project calls.
The first Technology Project Call under this agreement, titled AI FORM, was issued this fall and centered on maturing an autonomous robotic system for incremental open die forging of bulk metal components.
Technology Highlights
ARM Institute Funded Technology Projects
2025 marked a historic year for ARM Institute project funding:
- 14 Technology Projects completed in 2025
- 18 Technology Projects started in 2025
- $3.8M in funding awarded for Technology Projects in 2025
- Six Technology Project Calls issued addressing topic areas that ranged from robotics for casting/forging and AI advancements to robotics innovations to secure the Maritime Industrial Base and technologies to address high-priority DoD focus areas.
In 2026, we will finalize enhancements to the Member Community to make consortium developed intellectual property (CDIP), project outputs, and other member-exclusive project information more easily accessible. This work is already underway – Members can stay tuned for more information!
Robotics Manufacturing Hub – named Pittsburgh’s Programming of the Year
Our Robotics Manufacturing Hub continued to help manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized manufacturers in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region, implement robotics and AI solutions.
From generating robotic solutions for the welding and grinding of welded parts for park benches, trash cans, and other public use items to helping manufacturers identify how to better leverage underutilized robots, we helped more than 12 manufacturers with direct technology support this past year alone. The Robotics Manufacturing Hub provides critically needed resources to help SMMs implement robotics. By working with our team of experts, manufacturers can test customized robotics solutions without a commitment to purchasing or installing equipment, ensuring that they receive the highest ROI possible on any robotics investment. After working with our team on a physical proof-of-concept, the implementation rate for Robotics Manufacturing Hub projects is higher than 50%.
Since the launch of our Robotics Manufacturing Hub workshop series held in partnership with ARM Member Catalyst Connection, we’ve also helped 300+ manufacturers connect directly to suppliers, including those within the ARM Institute member consortium. Our next workshop is scheduled for February 25 and will center on robotics for machine tending. Register to attend in-person here. Register to attend virtually here.
The Robotics Manufacturing Hub was also honored with the Technical.ly Pittsburgh 2025 Programming of the Year Award. More than 4,000 individuals voted in the overall awards to recognize the region’s most impactful products, projects, and experts.
Automation Assessment Services
Beyond the scope of our free services provided through a grant with the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative for SMMs in the Pittsburgh region, the ARM Institute now also offers broader Automation Assessment services for manufacturers of all sizes located anywhere in the US.
ARM Institute Automation Assessments answer:
- How robotics and AI can improve your ROI and strengthen your competitiveness
- How automation can solve your manufacturing challenges
- How robotics can augment your workforce gaps
- How you can improve efficiency, quality, and safety using robots
- How you can integrate robotics into your existing manufacturing lines
- What technology is commercially available to solve your challenges and what technology could solve your challenges with further customization
Whether you’re considering robotics for the first time, looking to better utilize your existing robots, or want to further enhance your robotic processes, our Automation Assessment is your customized guide to automation success. With an ARM Institute Automation Assessment, your customized automation plan for success is backed by the nation’s leading experts.
To schedule an assessment or to learn more, email [email protected].
AI Webinar Series
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t a new area for the ARM Institute. Since 2017, we’ve catalyzed hundreds of robotics projects, many of which leverage AI and machine learning (ML) to improve efficiency, quality, speed, and lower costs. Through these projects and collaboration with our 450+ member organization consortium, we’ve been tracking trends, best practices, and lessons learned in AI for manufacturing over the past several years.
This summer, we broke down lessons learned and best practices for manufacturers looking to leverage AI. Suzy Teele, ARM Institute Chief Strategy Officer, led three webinars in this area first exploring the basics of AI, then the skills manufacturing workers need to work with AI, and finally, technical best practices. Hundreds of manufacturers joined us as we went beyond the hype and into how AI can tangibly help manufacturers.
Check out the on-demand series here.
Education/Workforce Development (EWD) Highlights
RoboticsCareer.org Employer Features
More than 119,000 visitors leveraged RoboticsCareer.org in 2025 to connect to jobs, training, and other robotics resources for manufacturing. Based on current usage numbers, we expect that within the next few years, RoboticsCareer.org will be accessed by over 500,000 users, help fill over 10,000 jobs, and benefit the training of over 10,000 future roboticists.
In 2025, we introduced expanded features for hiring manufacturers and employers, enabling organizations to connect directly to qualified robotics talent. These features included:
- Enhanced Talent Database Search Functionality: Hiring employers can now search for talent based on the skills the job seeker has with an increased emphasis on the skills that an individual has applied in a professional setting.
- Automated Email Notifications: Employers can now opt into regular emails that keep them updated on new candidates who match the skills they are seeking.
- Ability to Identify Graduates of Endorsed Training Programs: ARM Institute Endorsement evaluates and endorses the nation’s most effective robotics training programs for robotics careers in manufacturing. Employers can now see if a job candidate has graduated from an ARM Institute Endorsed Program on their profile.
You can access tutorials and other resources for recruiters and hiring employers here or by emailing [email protected].
AI Competency Framework
The ARM Institute robotics competency framework is the core of RoboticsCareer.org. This framework, developed in partnership with the ARM Institute Member Consortium, outlines the skills needed at three core career levels for robotics jobs in manufacturing. Every training program and job posting on RoboticsCareer.org aligns to this competency framework, creating a curated place where students and workers can find their next step.
In 2025, the ARM Institute embarked on an effort to build an AI competency framework. Through a series of virtual meetings and an in-person Solution Summit, we leveraged the expertise of our Members to identify the skills needed to work with AI in a manufacturing setting. With the framework now completed, our team is working to build out RoboticsCareer.org to include AI jobs and training programs. More to come on this effort in 2026.
Additional Manufacturing Career Competency Frameworks
While robotics and AI are the ARM Institute’s core focus areas, there are options for manufacturing careers outside of these areas. In collaboration with our fellow Manufacturing Innovation Institutes and Manufacturing USA Institutes, the ARM Institute has started to build competency frameworks in other focus areas with the long-term goal of bringing more attention to all manufacturing career possibilities in a collective repository of jobs and training programs.
Sponsorship on RoboticsCareer.org
To help training programs, employers, and other organizations connect to our audience of job seekers, students, and robotics enthusiasts RoboticsCareer.org users, we launched a new sponsorship program. This program enables organizations to take advantage of our communication vehicles through sponsored displays on our web platform and newsletter and/or sponsor content. Thank you to A3, the University of Maryland, and Motlow Community College for being among the first to take advantage of sponsorships.
Learn More About Sponsorship Here
ARM Institute Endorsement
With 16,700+ training programs listed on RoboticsCareer.org (and more to come with our AI competency framework release), how do students identify training programs that are sure to prepare them for a future-proof career? That’s where ARM Institute Endorsement comes in.
ARM Institute Endorsement recognizes the training programs that are most effective at preparing students for robotics careers in manufacturing. These training programs undergo a rigorous audit by industry experts. Once they pass, training programs receive priority listing on RoboticsCareer.org, additional outreach benefits, and access to our Endorsement Council that shares best practices with each other on a regular basis.
In 2025, we enabled ARM Members to apply for Endorsement at no-cost through our Education/Workforce Development Project Call with 10 new programs earning Endorsement. In January 2026, we will issue our next EWD Project Call allowing ARM Members to again apply for Endorsement. Learn more during our webinar on January 7 at 2 PM ET.
Consortium Highlights
Membership Growth
Our 470+ member organization consortium is critical to enabling us to accomplish our mission. Our Members collaborate with us on ARM Institute-funded projects, help to inform our priorities and roadmaps, work to build a future-ready manufacturing workforce, bring their capabilities to the Department of Defense to further our national security, and more.
In 2025, we welcomed 60 new organizations to the ARM Member consortium. These organizations span the gambit from agile new start-ups and forward-thinking training programs to manufacturers of all types/sizes and innovative technology suppliers.
In addition to welcoming 60 new organizations, we also had several Members further their connection with us by upgrading their membership level. A highlight of these upgrades was welcoming Northrop Grumman Corporation as a Platinum ARM Member joining Siemens and GE Vernova, who have been long-time Platinum Members.
9th Annual Member Meeting
In September, we convened our membership for our 9th Annual Member Meeting, featuring 2.5 days of networking, collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and technology demonstrations. Our 2025 event featured our largest Member Showcase Hall to date, more sessions, increased networking time, and interactive, curated activities to spark new partnerships as part of our Technology Track and Education/Workforce Development Track.
ARM Members can access the recordings from our Annual Member Meeting in the Member Community. Learn more about our 2025 event in our recap here. Don’t take the value of our meeting from us, check out what ARM Member 3Laws had to say about how the ARM Member Meeting opens doors for start-ups through the event.
Thank you to our 2025 Member Meeting sponsors for supporting our event: GE Vernova, Siemens, Amatrol, AMT – the Association for Manufacturing Technology, Corsha, FANUC, Fivestar, Gridraster, the Italian Trade Agency & Machines Italia, NC3, ReadyOne, the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, RPI’s Center for Smart Convergent Manufacturing Systems, Universal Robots, and Yaskawa, as well as those who joined us in the Member Showcase Hall.
Save the date for our 10th Annual Member Meeting taking place Nov. 17-19 in Pittsburgh, PA!
ARM Champions
At our Member Meeting, we annually recognize a group of ARM Members who have gone above and beyond the call of membership to further our mission with ARM Champion Awards. Our 2025 class of ARM Champions recognized the following Members:
- Lisa Baraniecki, Lockheed Martin
- Matt Brown, ThoughtForge AI
- Lou Camerlengo, Fivestar
- Brad Conrad, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM)
- Paul Evans, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)
- Jared Glover, CapSen Robotics
- Michael Groeber, the Ohio State University
- Dave Rappaport, Siemens
- Glenn Saunders, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Terri Burgess Sandu, Lorain County Community College (LCCC)
ARM Member Community
This past year, we worked with a group of students from Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute to evaluate our digital ARM Member Community and identify opportunities to strengthen connections made on it. This group interviewed our Members and worked with our team to identify new opportunities to spark collaboration.
This research laid the foundation for significant planned enhancements to the ARM Member Community that will enable ARM Members to more easily access member-exclusive project information and project outputs and allow ARM Members to better connect and network virtually. Stay tuned for more information as we work to launch these enhancements in 2026.
Meet our 2025 Modern Makers
Modern Makers are individuals whose sense of purpose embodies the Manufacturing USA mission to secure the future of U.S. manufacturing through innovation, education, and collaboration. The Manufacturing USA Network annually recognizes a select list of modern makers to celebrate. This year, the ARM Institute was honored to have two ARM Institute-affiliated individuals recognized:
More ARM Institute Headlines from 2025
ARM Institute in the News: Select Headlines
- Jorgen Pedersen quoted in the Wall Street Journal
- ARM Institute featured in the Made Here Series
- ARM Institute participates in PA Energy & AI Summit
- ARM Institute Hosts Washington Post Columnist David Ignatius with CMU
- Suzy Teele Named to A3’s Robotics Technology Strategy Board
Five Question Features with Our Members Published in 2025:
- Five Questions with BG Workforce
- Five Questions with ARCTOS Technology Solutions
- Five Questions with Instinct Robotics
- Five Questions with Shelfmark
- Five Questions with Kamet AI
- Five Questions with GridRaster
- Five Questions with ThoughtForge
- Five Questions with Community College of Allegheny County
Join Us on Our Mission
If you’re ready to get work strengthening U.S. manufacturing through robotics, AI, and workforce development, the best way to engage with us is through ARM Institute membership. Learn more about membership here or email us at [email protected] to see how we can collaborate with you.
Our 470+ member organizations collaborate with us to lead the way to a future where people and robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to develop and produce the world’s most desired products. Whether you’re a large or small manufacturer, a robotics or AI supplier, community college, large research university, economic development organization, or somewhere in between, there’s a place for you in the ARM Member Consortium!
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About the ARM Institute
The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-0004 and is part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute leverages a unique and robust consortium of 450+ members and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience. Based in Pittsburgh, PA since 2017, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people & robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to produce the world’s most desired products. For more information, visit https://www.arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn and X.