Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and ReconRobotics have entered into a new partnership to promote intelligence advancement to miniature robots.
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: Los Alamos National Laboratory)
Representatives from both the companies declared that they have signed a cooperative R&D agreement for “identification, evaluation and development of a range of mutually beneficial technologies”. These efforts will enable LANL to carry out mission operations for the U.S. Department of Energy in addition to bringing improvements to ReconRobotics shareholders’ value. Research areas include systems associated to autonomy, sensing technologies, and communications.
According to LANL’s Technology Transfer division leader, David Pesiri, this partnership will revolutionize the shift from laboratory ideas to real-world technology enhancements. ReconRobotics has a long-term history of providing quality services to clients including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps.
The robotics firm provides tactical micro-robot systems including the Throwbot XT. Weighing only 1.2 lb, this throwable micro-robot ensures users with video as well as audio reconnaissance in hazardous or hostile environments. More than 2,000 micro-robot systems of ReconRobotics have been deployed by the U.S. military in Afghanistan. During June, the company declared an IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) agreement with the U.S. Army for 1,000 more units. Furthermore, over 500 global law enforcement agencies deploy the same systems to achieve instant situational awareness and higher standoff distance while carrying out counter-terrorism and high-risk SWAT operations.