Robotics

re2, Inc. was selected to conduct this research due to the Company's extensive experience with teleoperated and autonomous unmanned systems, which require a multitude of sensors for automation. Such sensors include LADAR, RADAR, CCD Cameras, SONAR and FLIR cameras. The main advantage of having re2, Inc. perform the requirements study for an Experimentation Center is that the Company is not vested in any one sensing modality. A requirements study must remain unbiased, and re2, Inc. can provide the talent, experience and objectivity needed to conduct a successful research study.

"Not only are we proud to have been selected to lead this important research project, we are also excited about the potential addition of an electro-optics experimentation center in Western Pennsylvania," said Jorgen Pedersen, president and CEO of re2, Inc. "By establishing a state-of-the-art experimentation facility in the region, we will be able to improve our R&D and product development efforts, ensuring that the sensors that we employ have been thoroughly tested and proven before we integrate them into our unmanned systems."

"re2's project is a key first step towards establishing an integrated indoor/outdoor sensor experimentation center for unmanned vehicles that would enable the capture of standardized test data under controllable conditions," remarked Bill Thomasmeyer, President of the NCDR and Executive Vice President of The Technology Collaborative. "Such a center would be unique, would represent significant cost savings for the government, and would likely prove invaluable in helping form, grow, and locate robotic companies in the region."

About re2, Inc.
re2, Inc. (Robotics Engineering Excellence), located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a Carnegie Mellon spin-off company specializing in mobile defense robotics with an emphasis on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). re2, Inc. has partnered with universities and industry leaders, such as Carnegie Mellon and Exponent, Inc., to develop and support robotic technologies. As a defense subcontractor, re2, Inc. has contributed to the development of mobile robotic technologies for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Army's Rapid Equipping Force (REF), The Office of2Naval Research (ONR), and The Marine Corps. For more information, visit www.resquared.com or call (412) 681-6382.

About The Technology Collaborative
Formed in December 2004 as the result of a merger between The Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse and The Robotics Foundry, The Technology Collaborative's mission is to help increase Pennsylvania's technology-based economy by developing collaborating industry clusters that leverage the region's world-class assets in Advanced Electronics, Cyber Security, and Agile Robotics. TTC is helping to create an ideal environment for business expansion by leveraging the region's existing high-tech base, and combining it with resources and support from local universities, private foundations, regional development organizations, federal, state, and local government, and industry. They enable regional economic growth by utilizing a "business friendly" environment to attract new companies to the region, help local companies grow, and foster start-ups. For more information, visit www.technologycollaborative.org.

About the Electro-Optics Center
The Electro-Optics Center was established as an enabler of electro-optics manufacturing technology. Established and managed by Penn State under an ONR MANTECH initiative, the EOC exists to serve the need for electro-optics manufacturing technology through development and execution of technical programs, workforce development at all levels, and transition of technology to production. The EOC has formed an alliance of industry, academic and professional organizations, and government resources, called the Electro-Optics Alliance, which helps the EOC to integrate technologies and capabilities to solve electro-optic manufacturing issues.