ReconRobotics signs on for high-tech research collaboration
Los Alamos National Laboratory and ReconRobotics, Inc. executives agreed to coordinate on technical advances for the robotics company’s line of tactical micro-robot systems. From left, David Pesiri and David Seigel of the LANL Technology Transfer office, and Andrew Borene, Andrew Drenner, and Patrick McKinney of ReconRobotics. Photo courtesy of Los Alamos National Laboratory.
LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico – Miniature robots are about to get an intelligence boost from a new partnership, linking Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and ReconRobotics, Inc. Representatives from the two organizations announced today that they have signed a cooperative research and development agreement to “identify, evaluate and develop a range of mutually beneficial technologies,” efforts that will assist LANL in its mission-related activities for the U.S. Department of Energy and create value for ReconRobotics shareholders. Among the areas of research are systems related to sensing technologies, communications and autonomy.
“This is an exciting partnership, we can really have an impact in the transition from laboratory ideas to real-world technology improvements,” said David Pesiri, LANL’s Technology Transfer division leader, “especially involving a firm such as ReconRobotics with an established track record for such clients as the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
The robotics firm is known for its tactical micro-robot systems such as the Throwbot® XT, a throwable micro-robot weighing 1.2 pounds that provides both video and audio reconnaissance of dangerous or hostile environments. More than 2,000 of the company’s micro-robot systems are deployed by the U.S. military in Afghanistan, and in June the company announced an IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contract with the U.S. Army for another 1,000 units. In addition, more than 500 law enforcement agencies around the world use these same systems to gain immediate situational awareness and greater standoff distance during high-risk SWAT and counter-terrorism operations.
“We believe that this collaboration will enable our company to bring unique, life-saving reconnaissance capabilities to our customers in the near future,” said Patrick McKinney, chief operating officer for ReconRobotics. “We are honored to be working with the world-class team at Los Alamos, and we are very excited about leveraging our collective capabilities to solve the real-world challenges that our warfighters and first responders face every day.”
About Los Alamos National Laboratory (www.lanl.gov)
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and URS for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.
About ReconRobotics, Inc.
ReconRobotics is a leader and innovator in ultra-light tactical, micro-robot and UGV systems. Over 5,000 of the company’s Recon Scout® and Throwbot® systems have been deployed by the U.S. military, first responders and international friendly forces, and by more than 900 law enforcement agencies, worldwide. These systems save lives by providing immediate situational awareness and greater standoff distance to warfighters and law enforcement personnel during high-risk operations. ReconRobotics is based in Edina, Minnesota, and markets its products through a distribution network in 35 countries.
ReconRobotics Awarded $13.9 Million Contract by the U.S. Arm[ ...]