Our next robotics seminar speaker is B. Pietro Filardo, Founder & CEO at Pliant Energy Systems Inc.

Speaker: B. Pietro Filardo 

Date: 09/26/2025

Time: 11:00 AM EST 

Location: Bowen 222

We are looking forward to seeing you there! Please stay tuned for more details. 

Title: From Energy Harnessing to Marine Robotics & Back Again

Abstract:
Pliant Energy Systems Inc began as a renewable energy startup with concepts that proved to be more fund-able when applied to marine robotics. The company’s founder, Pietro Filardo, will tell the unusual story how of a very small startup repeatedly pivoted to win $20M of government funding to develop their technology.

Pietro’s video-heavy presentation will show how initial concepts and sketches materialized into generators, pumps, and propeller-less autonomous underwater robots that traverse sand, ice and snow. He will also present an overview of Pliant’s ongoing US Navy funded marine robotics program and conclude with a new project that circles back to their foundational energy harnessing origins.

Best Regards,