RE2 Inc., a Lawrenceville robotics company, said that it was going to develop multiple technology components for the first increment of the Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System (AEODRS) used by Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center EOD Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV).
The company had been competitively selected by the Department of Defence to develop a modular robot that could be easily maintained and have interchangeable parts. They will be developing the Manipulator Arm, End-Effector, End-Effector Interface and the Master Capability Module for the dismounted class of AEODRS robots. The one year contract will allow the company to develop some prototypes of the systems which will differ from the company’s current products.
The president and CEO of RE2, Jorgen Pedersen said that by encouraging open architecture and seeking next-generation innovation, AEODRS allows small businesses such as RE2 to participate in programs of record and ensure that emerging technologies make it to the field. He added that they were honored to have been selected and entrusted to develop multiple components of the dismounted class system and were dedicated to ensure that the AEODRS program succeeds.
The vice president of operations for RE2 and project manager, Dough Peters said that today all the robots overseas are made by one manufacturer. With the full platform by one person and everything on it is proprietary, it’s become a logistical problem. What the navy is trying to do is develop a platform with all modular components he added.