Nexterity Develops Robot for Pipefitting Automation
Lindsey Elliott, founder of Nexterity and former engineer at ExxonMobil, is addressing the physical demands and safety risks in pipefitting through automation. Her startup has developed a remote-controlled robot designed to handle bolted flange joints—sections where pipes connect—which are typically tightened or loosened manually using significant force. The device can be deployed on various standard pipe sizes (NPS2–NPS8), which account for 80% of piping infrastructure, and is built to fit in a Pelican case for portability. The robot aims to improve productivity while reducing injuries among workers who often face long hours under physically demanding conditions. Nexterity plans to offer the device as rental equipment rather than selling it outright, aligning with industry needs for flexible tools across different job sites. Elliott believes this innovation could significantly impact a wide range of industries including water treatment, food and beverage, mining, nuclear energy, and green manufacturing. The startup is part of TechCrunch Disrupt’s Startup Battlefield 200 lineup, highlighting its potential to disrupt traditional blue-collar labor practices in infrastructure sectors.
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Topics: blue collar labor oil and gas infrastructure robotics startup innovation