Brooklyn Welcomes NYU Tandon’s New Robotics Hub

New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering has just taken a big step forward in the world of science and technology. On December 11, 2025, NYU Tandon announced the opening of a large new robotics research center in Downtown Brooklyn. This new hub—called the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence—will be one of the most important robotics research and education centers not only in New York but also on the East Coast of the United States.  This article explains what this new hub is, why it matters, and how it could change the future of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in society.  

What Is the New Robotics Hub? The robotics hub is a large space dedicated to research, education, and the development of advanced robots and intelligent systems. 

It is part of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, 

which has a long history of teaching and innovation in engineering and technology.  The name of the new center is the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence. Robotics means the science and technology of building robots. Embodied intelligence refers to machines that can think and act in the real world—robots that sense, move, and make decisions on their own.  This robotics hub is located at 370 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn, where NYU Tandon has several buildings. The main facility is big—it covers 6,800 square feet (about the size of a small supermarket), and there are additional research areas that bring the total to more than 10,000 square feet.   

Who Works There? More than 70 researchers are already working at the new robotics hub. These include university faculty (teachers who also lead research), PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers (people who have recently finished their PhDs and are doing advanced research).  This team is highly skilled and comes from different scientific disciplines: Mechanical engineers — experts in designing and building machines Electrical engineers — experts in electronics and sensors Computer scientists — experts in programming and artificial intelligence Ethicists — people who study how technology affects society and human values  

The combination of these experts allows the center to work on robotics from many angles, including both machines and how humans and machines interact.  

What Will the Hub Do? The robotics hub is meant to be a place where new ideas become real. It will support research in many areas of robotics and embodied intelligence. Here are some key goals: 1. Build and Test Intelligent Robots One major focus is creating robots that can move, think, and make decisions in the real world. For example: Robots that can navigate city streets safely without a driver Machines that can assist in hospitals or perform delicate medical tasks Robots that help in disaster response, such as searching collapsed buildings after earthquakes  

These goals require combining hardware (physical machines) with software (programs that control robot behavior) and AI (systems that allow a robot to learn and adapt).  2. Study How Robots Move Like Humans Another important research area is teaching robots to move more naturally—similar to how humans and animals move. This includes walking, running, grasping objects, or balancing on uneven ground. Robots that can move smoothly are more useful in real-world tasks such as home care, manufacturing, and transportation.  3. Create Education and Training Programs The center is not only about research—it will also train future leaders in robotics. NYU Tandon plans to launch new academic programs, including: A Master of Science degree in Robotics and Embodied Intelligence A doctorate (PhD) track for students who want to do advanced research  

These programs will prepare students for high-tech careers in robotics, AI, automation, and related fields.  

Why Is This Opening Important? 

Some people may wonder: why is opening another research center newsworthy? The answer comes from the growing importance of robotics and intelligent machines in everyday life. Robotics and AI Are Becoming Central to Modern Life Robots and AI are no longer just science fiction—they play a role in: Factories and manufacturing Healthcare and surgery Self-driving vehicles and transportation Agriculture and food production Search and rescue operations 

However, most AI today works only in virtual environments, such as data analysis or language translation. The physical side—robots that navigate, perceive, and act in the real world—is still developing. The new center aims to help close this gap by bringing research and real-world applications together.  Boosting New York as a Robotics Hub Historically, major robotics research in the U.S. has been concentrated in areas like Silicon Valley or in universities with long traditions in robotics. By opening this hub in Brooklyn, NYU Tandon hopes to make New York City a leading center for robotics research and innovation, not just in business and culture but also in technology.  As the center’s leaders put it: they want people around the world to think of the East Coast—not only Silicon Valley—when they think of robotics and embodied AI.   

Partnerships With Industry and the World Large research centers often work closely with companies and other universities. This helps turn laboratory discoveries into real products and services that people use. The NYU robotics hub has already built partnerships with many major technology and engineering companies, such as: Meta Google Amazon NVIDIA Qualcomm Toyota General Motors Bosch 

These companies may share data, funding, or technology with the center, and students might get opportunities to work on real industry problems.  The center also plans to collaborate with academic partners overseas to share ideas and research. These include: KAIST (in South Korea) ANITI, CNRS, and INRIA (in France)  

These global connections will make the research richer and more influential.  

Responsible Robotics and Ethics 

One unique part of the new center is a commitment to ethical research—meaning the people there will think carefully about how robots affect humans and society. The center has experts who study responsible robotics, so machines are developed safely, fairly, and for the benefit of everyone.  This focus on ethics is especially important as robots become more capable and widespread. Questions like “How should robots make decisions in dangerous situations?” or “How do we protect people’s privacy when machines collect data?” require thoughtful answers. The center aims to include ethical thinking as part of its research culture.   

What It Means for Students and the Community For students, the new hub opens doors to education, hands-on experience, and future careers. Robotics and AI are among the fastest-growing areas of technology jobs. Training in these fields gives students strong skills that are valuable in: Software development Engineering design Data science Robotics programming Research and product development  

For the local Brooklyn community, having such an advanced center can help create jobs, attract visitors, encourage startups, and strengthen the city’s reputation for innovation.   

The opening of the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence at NYU Tandon is more than just a new building. It represents a step forward for science, education, and society. With its large facilities, diverse research teams, and commitment to both robotics and ethics, the center will push forward the boundaries of what robots can do and how they interact with the world.  Over the coming years, we can expect new discoveries, new technologies, and new opportunities for students and researchers at NYU. Robotics is not just the future—it is happening now, and Brooklyn has become one of its new centers.