The Robotics Summit is in Town

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May 26, 2026

The Robotics Summit is in town

NPA Insights, May 2026

Hi all!

The biggest U.S. power grid faces mounting pressure to modernize its decades-old system amid soaring electricity demand, especially driven by data centers and AI growth. PJM warns that its traditional model is “not tenable” and calls for urgent reforms within years, not decades.

A lengthy backlog in connecting new power sources, complicated by outdated approval processes and surging interconnection requests, are some of the key challenges facing PJM. Potential solutions have been proposed, but each faces significant hurdles, including supplier reluctance, political resistance, and stakeholder skepticism.

This crossroads occurs as renewable energy adoption and battery storage disrupt supply dynamics, intensifying pressure on a system struggling to adapt.

AND NOW SOME OPERATIONS NEWS

The State of Manufacturing

The Manufacturing PMI Index registered at 52.7% in April, the same reading as March. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 18th month in a row.

The New Orders Index expanded for the fourth straight month after four straight readings in contraction, registering 54.1%, up 0.6 percentage points compared to March's 53.5%.

April's Production Index registered 53.4%, 1.7 percentage points lower than March's 55.1%.

In preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Gillette Stadium is taking a leading role in demonstrating how large venues can integrate clean energy solutions to reduce their environmental footprint. Its combination of solar power, fuel cells, and renewable energy credits reflects a commitment to sustainability that goes beyond just meeting demand.

By incorporating smart EV charging and demand response programs, the stadium is actively managing its energy use to not only lower costs but also ease stress on the regional grid during peak times. This approach highlights how stadiums and similar facilities can become key partners in grid stability and clean energy adoption.

If this model proves effective, it could serve as a blueprint for other event venues and large energy users, ultimately shaping a future where major public spaces contribute meaningfully to clean energy goals and grid resilience.

STARTUP STUFF

In a rare shift, Texas startups have overtaken Massachusetts in quarterly venture funding, raising about $5.8 billion in Q1 compared to Massachusetts’ $5.3 billion. This notable reversal is prompting fresh conversations in Boston’s tech community about the evolving venture landscape.

Despite this news, the Boston area's venture capital scene continued to hit exciting milestones in April.

Cambridge startup Blitzy raised $200 million in a funding round that values it at $1.4 billion, hitting unicorn status in April. The company is the only autonomous code generation platform with infinite code context.

Defense-tech startup Havoc out of Providence announced a $100 million Series A funding round, bringing the company's total capital raised to $200 million since 2024.

6,000+ developers will gather in Boston to explore the latest technologies and engineering practices shaping aerospace, defense, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. Gain insights that could drive the next wave of advancements across these critical industries by attending the Robotics Summit and Expo May 27-28. Learn more here.

Forge's upcoming panel dives into the gap between the promise of AI-powered robotics and the practical challenges of bringing robotic systems into real-world deployment. Register for the discussion on May 27 here.