ReconRobotics, Inc.
ReconRobotics, Inc. is a privately owned advanced robotics company headquartered in Edina, Minnesota. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures tactical micro-robot systems for law enforcement and military personnel that increase situational awareness in order to save lives. Users of the company’s robots include multiple branches of the United States Armed Forces, international friendly forces, and more than 550 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. More than 4,700 of the company’s micro-robot systems have been deployed or are under contract.
History
ReconRobotics, Inc. was founded in 2006 to commercialize robotics technology developed at the University of Minnesota Distributed Robotics Laboratory under funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The company introduced the world’s first tactical micro-robot – the Recon Scout® – in 2007. Since then, the company has designed and engineered several new-generation robot systems and accessories to meet the evolving needs of law enforcement agencies and the military. On May 3, 2011, ReconRobotics signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) to develop a robot with magnetic wheels to climb over the hull of a ship. In April 2012, ReconRobotics acquired Xollai LLC, a company specializing in automated guidance, optics, and recognition technology. In June 2012, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and ReconRobotics signed a cooperative research and development agreement to “identify, evaluate, and develop a range of mutually beneficial technologies.”
Products
Throwbot® XT
The Throwbot XT is capable of transmitting audio and visual reconnaissance to military, counterterrorism, and tactical law enforcement personnel. The robot is highly water-resistant, exceptionally quiet, and can survive throws up to 120 feet (36 meters). The infrared optical system also allows users to see in complete darkness.
Recon Scout® Throwbot® LE
The Recon Scout Throwbot LE is an affordable reconnaissance robot that is primarily used by police patrol officers to identify hidden threats and search confined spaces.
Recon Scout® UVI
The Recon Scout UVI enables operators to safely inspect vehicle undercarriages. Instead of using hand-held mirrors, the robot allows a user to get a complete direct view of the undercarriage while searching for narcotics or explosives.
Recon Scout® IR
The Recon Scout IR is a throwable reconnaissance robot with the ability to see in complete darkness. Its infrared optical system automatically turns on when ambient light is low.
Robotics Accessories
ReconRobotics manufactures and sells a variety of accessories for its robotics systems. These include a SearchStick™ that can clasp a robot and be used as a pole camera, a field charging station, and a command station to monitor simultaneous robot use.
Operating Environments
Military Robotics
The United States military and dozens of friendly forces utilize the company’s Recon Scout and Throwbot systems in high-risk operations. The robots save lives by providing dismounted fire teams with increased situational awareness and standoff distance during urban warfare, compound clearing operations, and surveillance missions. In June 2012, the United States Army’s Rapid Equipping Force issued an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for up to 1,000 of the company’s micro-robots for use by soldiers and Marines. This was the company’s fifth major military contract since August 2011.
Law Enforcement Robotics
More than 550 tactical teams, worldwide, use the company’s Recon Scout and Throwbot systems to protect the lives of personnel and speed the resolution of high-risk operations, including barricaded subject situations, narcotics raids and hostage rescue missions. The video and audio reconnaissance provided by these systems allows tactical operators to quickly clear rooms and buildings, leading to increased safety for officers and civilians. Federal clients include the FBI, ATF, State Department and U.S. Marshals Service.
International Operations
ReconRobotics’ international operations are run by RRI Global SAGL, a wholly owned subsidiary headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, and its products are marketed outside North America by a reseller network in 33 countries.
Leadership
Management
Alan Bignall, President and CEO
Mary Wilson, CFO
Jean-Luc Panetta, VP Product Management & Engineering
Andrew Drenner, PhD, Director of Engineering
[...] Omilanowicz VP of Manufacturing
Dan Dorst, Director of Supply Chain and Manufacturing
Jack Klobucar, Director of Marketing
Aimee Barmore, Director of Law Enforcement and Federal Programs
Ernest Langdon, Director of Military Programs
Barry E. T. Harris, MBE, Director of International Programs
Andrew Borene, Director of Corporate Business Development & Government Relations
Andy Krueger, Customer Service Manager
Christina Dowling, Human Resource Manager
Coleen Juntunen, Office Manager
Board of Directors
Alan Bignall, President and CEO of ReconRobotics, Inc., Edina, MN
Major General Charles H. Swannack, Jr., CEO of US Logistics, Inc., Fayetteville, NC
Philip S. Walter, Former CEO/CFO of Altera Law Group, Minneapolis, MN
Andrés Brugal, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Intevac Photonics, Santa Clara, CA
Michael Dougherty, General Manager, International, Polaris Industries, Inc., Medina, MN
Denny Schulstad, Minnesota State Chair of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, St. Paul, MN
Christopher A. Carlisle, Principal Attorney at Gray Plant Mooty & Bennet, P.A., Minneapolis, MN
Patrick J. McKinney, COO of ReconRobotics, Inc., Edina, MN
Mary E. Wilson, CFO of ReconRobotics, Inc., Edina, MN