RE2, Inc., a Carnegie Mellon spin-off specializing in mobile defense robotics, announced that it has received funding from Kuchera Defense Systems (KDS) to commercialize the RE2 Sensor Stabilization Platform (SSP) for small unmanned vehicles, including ground, air, and sea-surface vehicles.
“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work with KDS to design and deliver our Sensor Stabilization Platform for a variety of unmanned systems platforms,” stated Jorgen Pedersen, president and chief executive officer for RE2, Inc. “By developing intelligent, JAUS-compliant payloads, we can improve the performance and extend the capabilities of existing unmanned ground, air and sea vehicles.”
RE2 originally received a $200,000 research grant from The Technology Collaborative to design the SSP. RE2 built a lightweight, low-cost stabilized platform, which underwent testing on a small unmanned air vehicle. According to The Technology Collaborative’s chief technology officer, Dr. Chuck Brandt, “A primary goal of The Technology Collaborative is to take technologies developed in Pennsylvania from concept to commercialization, thus bolstering the region’s economy. As one of our grant recipients and a TTC Agile Robotics Alliance member, RE2 is actively contributing to the achievement of our economic development goals and is well-positioned for commercial success.”
The RE2 SSP differs from other small stabilization platforms in that it is a low-cost generic platform, which can stabilize a multitude of sensors through a JAUS-compliant interface. RE2’s platform is able to handle both high amplitude and high frequency vibrations, enabling consistent, steady feedback from any mounted sensor. The SSP is also isolated from translational shock to further protect the payload.
RE2 now plans to commercialize the SSP through a follow-on program with KDS. During the commercialization phase, RE2 will work closely with KDS to perform a Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) analysis and adapt the design for ease of integration with existing unmanned systems platforms.
“RE2 has created an innovative sensor platform that can easily be adapted to small unmanned vehicles, such as the Omni-Directional Inspection System (ODIS); a KDS robot used in Iraq and Afghanistan for under vehicle inspection. By working closely with the RE2 team, KDS will use its manufacturing and assembly expertise to ensure that the spiral development of the SSP evolves into a low cost, robust commercial product which KDS will manufacture,” remarked Bill Kuchera, President and CEO, Kuchera Defense Systems.
“I have worked closely with RE2 over the past several years and I am extremely pleased that the company continues to make its mark as one of the successful emerging robotics companies in our region,” commented Paul Petrovich, CPA, Senior Technology Consultant, University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. “The partnership between RE2 and KDS to commercialize and manufacture robotic technologies is a natural fit for the Companies and a regional success for Southwestern Pennsylvania.”
