Connecting Robotics Research with Industry Needs: Stony Brook Hosts Collaborative Workshop
Following the success of a March Robotics Listening Session that brought together Long Island manufacturers and Stony Brook University researchers,
the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS), in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) and the Long Island Manufacturing Extension Partnership (LIMEP), welcomed regional manufacturers back to campus for a Robotics Workshop focused on
expanding partnerships between industry and academic researchers.
Held on April 28, the half-day workshop built on discussions from the March session, creating opportunities for networking, research collaboration, and technology demonstrations. The event connected companies with faculty whose expertise aligned with the technical challenges and areas of interest identified by manufacturers during the earlier listening session.
Industry participants shared examples of robotics and automation technologies currently
in use, including robotic material handling, machine monitoring systems, and data-driven
quality control solutions. Discussions also highlighted emerging opportunities in
AI-driven analytics, vision-based inspection, mobile robotics, and integrated systems
that connect CNC machines with advanced automation platforms.
The workshop featured research presentations from three CEAS faculty members: Nilanjan Chakraborty (Mechanical Engineering), William Stewart (Mechanical Engineering), and Ci-Jyun Liang (Civil Engineering), who shared insights into their ongoing robotics research and areas of potential collaboration with industry.
Professor Chakraborty emphasized the importance of grounding robotics research in the real-world challenges manufacturers face:
“For robotics research to have a meaningful impact on manufacturing, we need to understand the problems companies face on the factory floor—especially the tasks that are still difficult or too costly to automate. These conversations help us identify where new robotics technologies can make a practical difference and, at the same time, give researchers important problems that can drive new research. Workshops like this create a valuable bridge between fundamental research at the university and the needs of manufacturers in our region.”
Karina Torres-Castro, Manager of Research and Innovation for CEAS, Research Assistant Professor (Mechanical Engineering) and co-organizer of the event, highlighted the value of bringing industry leaders and researchers together to identify shared challenges and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
"The Robotics Workshop was a true team effort between our College, LIMEP, and CEWIT," said Torres-Castro. "The best ideas come from putting faculty and company leaders with shared interests in the same room and watching the brainstorming unfold in real time. We're looking forward to running more theme-based workshops that bring faculty and industry together."
Conversations between researchers and company leaders continued beyond the event, with several potential partnerships emerging to explore future research collaborations and external funding opportunities.
By connecting industry needs with academic expertise, the Robotics Workshop strengthened the foundation for continued collaboration that can advance robotics innovation, support regional manufacturing, and create new opportunities for research and workforce development across Long Island.
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