By Michelle Vasquez | Photography by David Teran
San Antonio is emerging as a global leader in robotics, driven by a dynamic ecosystem of innovation and collaboration. Christina Gomez-Terry, Vice President of Operations at Plus One Robotics, and Stephanie Garcia, part of the business development and communications teams at Port San Antonio, are leading figures in this movement. Their partnership exemplifies San Antonio’s robotics ecosystem, where talent, education, and industry intersect.
In 2023, Garcia began representing the region on the board of Women in Robotics, an international nonprofit that advances women’s roles in robotics and related fields.
Gomez-Terry, a native of San Antonio, started her robotics journey at MIT, where she earned her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering before continuing with a master’s in the same discipline at UTSA. She began her career at Southwest Research Institute and later joined Plus One Robotics in its early stages. Today, she plays a key role in operations, driving innovation in logistics robotics.
Gomez-Terry describes the relationship between Plus One Robotics and Port San Antonio as “very symbiotic.” Port San Antonio, transforming the former Kelly Air Force Base into the region’s largest technology hub, provides an environment where companies like Plus One can thrive. In partnership with Garcia and her colleagues, they showcase the cutting-edge work happening in San Antonio. “The Port was looking to foster the advanced robotics space with a startup like Plus One.” Gomez-Terry explains.
Garcia’s role involves connecting Port clients like Plus One with opportunities to grow their visibility. She quickly saw the potential to boost the representation of women in the robotics field. She works closely with companies like Plus One to bridge the gap between education and industry, growing awareness through STEM/STEAM programs for K-12 students and technology showcases for professionals. “Our vision is to connect people with opportunities and link education with industry,” says Garcia.
Garcia co-founded SATX Robotix, a meetup group with leaders like Plus One and other community collaborators like Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), Renu Robotics, Hatchbed, and FIRST in Texas. The effort connects students, educators, and professionals to inspire future engineering, design, and business development talent. Gomez-Terry adds, “A strong community of professionals builds the foundation for the next generation of STEM talent.”
The partnership between Plus One Robotics and Port San Antonio has led to global recognition. Specializing in advanced robotics, Plus One uses vision technology and AI to revolutionize logistics. Gomez-Terry highlights their work at the FedEx World Hub in Memphis, where robots sort millions of parcels daily at one of the world’s busiest logistics hubs. “The robot grabs a parcel from a pile and places it on an outbound conveyor for scanning and sorting,” Gomez-Terry explains. This technology improves efficiency and strengthens San Antonio’s reputation as a hub for robotics innovation.
San Antonio’s role as a robotics leader continues to grow. Garcia points out, “We house the world’s largest robot here on campus,” referring to the 70-foot technology developed by XYREC, located down the street from Plus One’s headquarters. XYREC is implementing robotic solutions to maintain large aircraft fuselages.
Alongside XYREC, startups like Hatchbed also call the Port home as they gain national and international recognition for working with robotics companies to integrate technology into industries such as defense and architecture, making those operations safer and more efficient.
The collaboration between Plus One, XYREC, Hatchbed, and Port San Antonio attracts top talent, and Gomez-Terry views these partnerships as crucial to San Antonio’s economic development. “It creates high-paying jobs, making San Antonio more attractive and bringing positive attention to the city,” she says. At Plus One Robotics, Gomez-Terry notes, “Women are represented in almost every role,” reflecting the positive strides in diversity.
The industry and education collaborations build a strong STEM pipeline. Creating a self-sustaining ecosystem, Port San Antonio and its partners, like Plus One Robotics, help the city cement its position as a leader in robotics and a destination for top talent.
