that we could provide greater manipulation capability in terms of strength, dexterity and controllability for bomb squad robots that deal with improvised explosive devices,“ he explains.“ Not only were we creating innovative solutions, but our technology would go on to help save lives and keep bomb techs out of harm’ s way by sending in a robot instead.”
The initial grant provided $ 730,000, but Pedersen says his team soon realized that additional funding would be needed to transition the prototype to a final product. In August of 2014, RE2 closed on a $ 2.25 million funding round to“ harden” its technology.
“ Winning our first SBIR was an inflection point because we decided to focus on mobile robotic arms. Once we gained a focus for the company we only went after opportunities related to robotic arms and became a leader in the area of mobile manipulation,” he says.
In addition to his work with RE2, Pedersen has served on the boards of multiple industrial groups and trade organizations over the past 15 years. Currently, he serves as the chairman of the Robotics Division at the National Defense Industrial Association.
“ This position gives me tremendous exposure to the market in general as well as specific needs related to mobile manipulation for defense applications,” he notes.
Pedersen is particularly proud of the company’ s Highly Dexterous Manipulation System( HDMS), which mimics the strength and dexterity of a human being, and allows a robotic system to perform tasks that, in the past, only a human would have been able to perform.
“ I’ m proud of the innovative technology our engineers developed to allow such an advanced capability to come to life,” he says.
In addition to its defense work, the company is expanding its technology to tackle the health care, homeland security and oil and gas industries.
“ Robotic arms can be used to transfer individuals to and from wheelchairs, and underwater manipulator arms can be used to help detect IEDs in our country’ s ports and waterways,” says Pedersen, who also enjoys outdoor-based activities like camping, mountain biking, backpacking and trail running.
“ What I am most excited about is that the era of the mobile manipulator is upon us now,” he adds.“ You can move through the world with robotics, you can perceive the world with robotics, but now you can interact with the world and that is where our expertise and capabilities come into play.” n
RE2’ s Highly Dexterous Manipulation System. Photo by RE2.
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Robotic arms can be used to transfer individuals to and from wheelchairs, and underwater manipulator arms can be used to help detect IEDs in our country’ s ports and waterways.
North Allegheny | Fall 2016 | icmags. com 59