2010 PRESS RELEASES AND HEADLINES

re Awarded Funding to Develop a Conformal End-Effector
RE2 has been awarded a research and development contract with the Robotics Technology Consortium to develop Conformal End-Effector (CE2) technology for the Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic Systems (AEODRS) program at NAVEODTECHDIV. The goal of this program is to develop a hand-like end-effector with the strength to lift a 155mm shell, the agility needed to perform delicate maneuvers such as removing a blasting cap from C4, and a total weight to allow the system to be employed by manipulators on small robots in the 164-pound weight class. The overall objective is to provide an end-effector for the manipulation systems onboard the next generation of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). (6/14/10)
press release (PDF)

re Awarded Semi-Autonomous Manipulation System SBIR
RE2 has been awarded a Phase I SBIR with the U.S. Army Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to develop sensing and control technologies that take the next step in the evolution of manipulators from tele-operation to more advanced semi-autonomous operations. (5/24/10)
press release (PDF)

RE2 VP of R&D, Dr. Patrick Rowe, featured in CMU Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation i-Cast
Listen to the iCast (mp3)

Pittsburgh-based start-up RE2 Inc. finds niche with robotic arm
...Founded in 2001 as a Carnegie Mellon University spin-out, RE2 Inc., has seen steady growth and found a niche in the research, design and prototyping of modular robot arms. The firm started out working as a subcontractor with CMU, then began branching out into its own contracts to research and prototype, working frequently with the military through research and development grants.
Pittsburgh Business Times, 5/7/10

Five High-Tech Ways to Spot a Car Bomb
When astute street vendors alerted police to smoke coming from an SUV parked in Times Square over the weekend, it was a lucky break. That's because car bombs remain one of the hardest to detect, and consequently deadliest, terrorist weapons. Based on "the number of casualties and amount of property damage, VBIEDs [vehicle-born improvised explosive devices] have been the most successful means of terrorist attack both domestically and internationally, except for the Sept., 11, 2001, attacks," wrote Ruth Doherty of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate...A Pennsylvania-based company called Robotics Engineering Excellence, or RE2, has received funding to build a modular recon manipulator that would help technicians spot car bombs..."
AOL News, 5/3/10

New DARPA Project Aims to Extend the Reach of Military Robots
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently embarked on a new initiative to develop robotic autonomous manipulators that mimic human arms, wrists, hands and fingers. The goal of the program is to surpass the performance of tasks currently performed by remote manipulation systems that are controlled directly by a human operator. To help address that challenge, DARPA has partnered with two leading-edge robotic companies: Barrett Technology Inc. and RE2 Inc. They will provide the hardware, software, integration services and manipulation expertise for the multi-year research program.
Assembly Magazine, 4/29/10

re to Design a Modular Intelligent Manipulation System for the U.S. Army - RE2 has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to research and design a Modular Intelligent Manipulation system with Intuitive Control (MIMIC) for the U.S. Army’s Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). RE2’s proposed innovative design is expected to significantly increase the effectiveness of robotic manipulators on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) by giving the robot operator the sensation that his or her arm is actually manipulating an object. (4/19/2010)
press release (PDF)

Millions will support hiring at RE2
RE2, developer of state-of-the-art, robotic manipulation systems, has been selected by DARPA to lead a new initiative that will integrate its robotic arms and hands onto a mobile robotic platform. RE2 moved last October into a larger, 10,000 square foot facility. Plans call for a 3,000 sf expansion, which includes a 3,000 square foot shop, and increasing the now 30-person staff to 40 with the hiring of five engineers. In addition, Douglas Peters has joined RE2 as vice president of operations. A boomeranger, Peters returns to Pittsburgh from the New England division of Applied Research Associates. He has more than 15 years experience in complex engineering, government contracting and technical management.
PopCity Media, 3/24/10

Dr. Patrick Rowe, VP of R&D, discusses re's intelligent manipulation technologies with Dan Kara of Robotics Trends.


In this video Dr. Patrick Rowe, describes to Robotics Trends President Dan Kara his companys new robotic arm and automatic tool change system AUTOMATIC. They also discuss several of the company's manipulation and unmanned systems programs and technologies. (YouTube)

Barrett Technology and re, Inc. Selected by DARPA to Lead the Autonomous Robotic Manipulator (ARM) Research Program
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently announced a new initiative to create robotic autonomous manipulators that mimic human arms and hands.  DARPA will use RE2, Inc. and Barrett Technology, Inc, to provide the program’s government furnished hardware, software, integration services, and manipulation expertise for this multi-year robotics research program.  Both are leading U.S.-based manipulator companies with numerous years of expertise.

Barrett Technology will provide the ARM effort’s manipulation hardware, including the Barrett WAM^TM Arm and BarrettHand^TM.  Barrett makes lightweight force-sensing arms that are specifically designed to operate near and with people by making its drives inherently backdrivable.  RE2 will provide manipulator integration services, applying its manipulation expertise to integrate the Barrett technology with various sensing technologies and a mobile platform for selected teams to utilize throughout the program. The goal of the program is to surpass the performance of manipulation tasks currently performed by remote manipulation systems that are controlled directly by a human operator. (3/16/2010)
press release (PDF)

re Appoints Douglas Peters VP of Operations
Mr. Peters brings more than fifteen years of experience gained in complex engineering, government contracting, and technical management to RE2. Mr. Peters’ extensive experience includes leading several engineering groups during his twelve-year career with Applied Research Associates (ARA). Most recently, Mr. Peters was the Division Manager for the New England Division of ARA, a thirty-five member R&D team focusing on robotics, sensor development, sensor data fusion, nanoscience, and geophysics.

In his role as VP of Operations, Mr. Peters will be responsible for company-wide operations as they pertain to government and defense contracts. He will also manage the workflow of RE2’s engineering teams, oversee program management efforts, and serve on the senior management team to drive the strategic direction and growth of the business. (3/15/2010)
press release (PDF)

2009 PRESS RELEASES AND HEADLINES

re Awarded Contract to Develop Modular Recon Manipulator for VBIED Defeat - RE2 has been awarded a Broad Agency Announcement contract with the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) to develop a Modular Recon Manipulator for Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) Defeat. The RE2 Modular Recon Manipulator will provide bomb squad technicians with the capability to perform reconnaissance tasks within vehicles that are suspected to contain explosive devices. (11/2/2009)
press release (PDF)

Reeg Allen Joins re as Director of Business Development - In this role, Mr. Allen will lead the Company's new business, strategic partnerships, technology commercialization, transition, and licensing activities. (8/10/2009)
press release (PDF)

re Awarded Phase I Army SBIR to Research Robotic Door Opening Technology - During the 6-month Phase I, RE2 will research and design a Robotic Door-opening Kit (RDK). The goal of the RDK technology is to decrease mission duration of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) performing urban reconnaissance operations by providing these vehicles with the ability to autonomously open doors and enter rooms or buildings. (6/23/2009)
press release (PDF)

TARDEC and its Partners Honored With SBIR Awards
The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), in conjunction with Robotics Engineering Excellence, Inc. (RE2) and Precision Combustion, Inc., gained recognition at the Army Achievement Awards Program at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on Dec. 19, 2008. TARDEC strategic partners RE2 and Precision Combustion received two of the 10 awards presented and were selected from across the Army for representing excellence in small business research and development.

“On behalf of the entire team, it is an honor to receive this award,” TARDEC Team Leader, Unmanned Ground Vehicle Mission Payload, Lonnie Freiburger said. “This achievement is a tribute to TARDEC and RE2’s innovation and diligence.”
TARDEC S&T News Update, March 2009, Volume 6, Issue 03

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