The ARM Institute has announced the selection of four new robotics and artificial intelligence projects under its 25-01 Core Technology Project Call, reinforcing continued federal and industry investment in advanced manufacturing technologies across the United States.
Robotic arms performing automated grinding as part of advanced manufacturing research initiatives.
The project call focused on addressing persistent technical challenges that limit both defense and commercial manufacturing, with emphasis on multimodal AI inputs, rapid robotic re-tasking, multi-robot and human collaboration, and adaptive real-time path planning and control. Project teams were also encouraged to demonstrate relevance to high-priority manufacturing environments, including aerospace structures, metal processing, energetics manufacturing, textile production, and robotic inspection in confined spaces.
The ARM Institute plans to award approximately $2 million in direct project funding, with total project value reaching roughly $4 million when combined with cost share and partner contributions. Since its founding in 2017, the institute has supported hundreds of robotics technology and workforce development initiatives through its national consortium.
“These projects address a broad spectrum of challenges limiting both defense and commercial manufacturing,” said Cara Cranston, Director of Technology Programs at the ARM Institute. “We look forward to working with these project teams to translate this funding into tangible impact on U.S. manufacturing.”
Selected 25-01 Core Technology Projects
Dimensional Verification of Aircraft Components Using an Adaptive Robotic Inspection System with a Digital Twin
Project Team: Siemens (Principal Investigator), Gray Matter Robotics, and Northrop Grumman
This project addresses limitations in aerospace metrology workflows by integrating robotic inspection with digital twin-based virtual commissioning. The system is designed to reduce manual inspection requirements in high-mix production environments, improving inspection flexibility, throughput, and dimensional accuracy for aircraft components.
Adaptive Guarding for Intelligent Safety (AEGIS): Dynamic, Real-Time Risk Mitigation
Project Team: Boeing (Principal Investigator), Spirit AeroSystems, and Sensory Robotics
The AEGIS project aims to develop a platform-agnostic safety system for mobile collaborative robots operating alongside humans. By dynamically adjusting safety zones based on real-time motion and trajectory data, the system seeks to improve flexibility and safety in mixed human-robot manufacturing environments.
Agile Robotic Deep In-Hole Scanning
Project Team: ARIS Technology (Principal Investigator), G.C. Laser Systems, and FANUC
This project focuses on advancing non-contact 3D inspection by enabling robotic scanning in confined and convex geometries that are difficult to access with conventional sensors. The team will develop an integrated workflow combining robotic surface scanning, localization, agile in-hole inspection, and sensor data fusion.
FOD Finder: Fixtureless Robotic Inspection and Navigation in Dynamic Environments
Project Team: ThoughtForge (Principal Investigator), Northrop Grumman, Siemens, and Airbus
The FOD Finder project focuses on detecting foreign object debris within complex airframe structures. The robotic system will combine real-time motion planning and fixtureless navigation to inspect confined aerospace geometries, where manual inspection remains common and non-destructive testing methods are limited.
Upcoming ARM Institute Funding Opportunity
The ARM Institute has also released its 26-01 Core Technology Project Call, which prioritizes defense-focused robotics and AI applications while encouraging dual-use technologies that benefit broader U.S. manufacturing. Concept papers are due February 4 through the ARM Member Community.
About the ARM Institute
The ARM Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and part of the Manufacturing USA® network. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the institute brings together more than 470 members across industry, academia, and government to advance robotics, autonomy, and AI technologies for U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and workforce development. For more information, please click here.
Source/Photo Credit: The ARM Institute
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