Bloomington-based ReconRobotics has indicated intentions of fundraising $3m ($252k closed) in convertible debt with the help of BrokerBank Securities.
Initially formed through IP from the University of Minnesota, ReconRobotics designs, manufactures, deploys and supports miniature robotic systems and distributed robotic teams. These robots are specifically designed to provide real time information in hazardous or restricted space areas, for military, police and commercial markets.
By Elizabeth Dunbar, MPRnews
“MINNEAPOLIS — This year’s regional robotics competition at the University of Minnesota is so big it will take up two sports arenas. About 120 high school teams from Minnesota and surrounding states have designed robots that can throw Frisbees and climb a 10-foot-tall pyramid. The competition takes place Friday and Saturday at Mariucci and Williams arenas, with the top teams heading to St. Louis in April for nationals.”
The University of Minnesota was issued patent 8,342,440 B2 in January for a wheeled robot that can deploy helicopter blades and fly.
The invention is a product of the University’s Center for Distributed Robotics, led by Professor Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos and developed with research assistant Alex Kossett.
The center is best known as the the birthplace of the two-wheeled Scout robot, technology commercialized by ReconRobotics as a successful tactical surveillance product.
Via News Release
“EDINA, Minn. – (February 11, 2013) Edina-based ReconRobotics announced today that it has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company magazine.
Inventor of the tactical micro-robot and a major supplier of robotic technologies to military units and law enforcement agencies, worldwide, ReconRobotics was ranked 44th on the list of honorees, which also included Nike (ranked #1), Amazon, Samsung, Kenya’s Safaricom, D-Rev, Google and China’s Landwasher.”
By HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA , Star Tribune
“An explosion in the popularity of high school robotics teams has suddenly made it chic to be geek.
Robotics team members are getting varsity letters and patches, being paraded before school assemblies like other sports stars and seeing trophies in the same lobby display cases as their football, basketball or baseball counterparts.
“It’s the new kid on the block,” said Dawn Nichols, head of school at Convent of the Visitation Catholic School in Mendota Heights, which has the only all-girls robotics team in the state.”
Companies once had no choice but to utilize expensive and inflexible methods such as injection molding and casting to build unique parts for new products, but the advent of 3D printing technology has forever changed how prototyping process the works.
3D printing cuts down drastically on the price and time required for such small and customized orders, enabling those companies — young and old — to innovate, experiment and produce faster than ever before.
Stratasys has been at the forefront of this movement since 1989 with its advanced 3D printing systems equipment. A few months ago, we recounted the tale of Emma Lavelle and her “magic arms,” a robotic exoskeleton built with a Stratasys machine that allowed her to overcome a congenital disorder and regain the use of her arms.
By Leslie Suzakamo, St. Paul Pioneer Press
“Minnesota is vying to become the nation’s leader in robotics development. But if it gets there, it may not be able to count on a lot of state support, the head of the state’s high-tech association says.
“Money is always short,” Margaret Anderson Kelliher, CEO of the Minnesota High Tech Association told the Robotics Alley conference Thursday, Nov. 15, in Edina. “We need to make critical choices about where we’re going to focus critical incentives.”
Via News Release
“Minneapolis, Minn. – (October 16, 2012) The Global Robotics Innovation Park (GRIP) announced today that it has selected Minneapolis-based Coen + Partners and Michigan-based Monica Ponce de Leon Studio to lead the master planning and architectural design efforts for the GRIP campus.
Drawing from the success of past collaborations and complimentary skill sets, Coen + Partners has united with Monica Ponce de Leon Studio for the site selection and feasibility phase of the Global Robotics Innovation Park development.”
By Andrew Borene, MPR News (commentary)
“The Twin Cities area has a head start to become an international robotics and automation center of excellence. A robotics ecosystem already taking form will build upon our region’s expertise in effective high-tech innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration.
Robots are moving into our personal lives by cleaning living room floors, handling hazardous materials, parking cars and saving lives in roles from security to medicine. The world’s emerging robotics industry has vast potential to benefit the quality of life for people all over the world, creating millions of high-paying jobs in the process.”
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