Pittsburgh Robotics Startups - Meet The Founders

2517 Penn Avenue,Pittsburgh PA 15222

16 December, 2021

Description

The Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) invites you to attend our Live Speaker Event. Live Speaker Event: Pittsburgh Robotics Startups - Meet The FoundersHosted By The Pittsburgh Robotics Network Thursday, December 16th, 12:00PM EST Slate Studios, 2517 Penn Avenue (Strip District) * Proof of Vaccination will be required for entry* Masks will be required for the safety of our community11:45am - Doors Open 12:00pm - Panel Discussion 1:00pm - Networking, Grab & Go Lunch 1:30pm - Conclusion Pittsburgh is the Robotics Capital of the World and the birthplace of autonomous robotics. Our region's robotics companies are trailblazing a new generation of autonomous products, solutions and services to solve real-world problems across all industries. This in-person panel discussion will allow you to learn more about each of these robotics startup companies, what industry problems they solve, what types of innovative robotics solutions they provide, etc. You will hear directly from the founders about their journeys as growing startups in a fast paced and challenging industry space. There will be time at the end of the panel discussion to network with the speakers and other attendees to meet each other, ask questions, learn more and strengthen our community connections. We hope you will join us as this will be a valuable and exciting event! Featured Companies Include: Neuraville, ESTAT Actuation, EKTO VR, Mach9 Robotics, Eye-bot Meet Our Panelists Mohammad Nadji, PhD Founder & CEO Mohammad has a passion for innovation, technology, science, and art. His message to anyone who likes living in the future is to become part of the community building it! He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Networking, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University. His Ph.D. research focused on developing a brain-inspired framework for synthesizing an artificial human brain in pursuing artificial general intelligence. His research built the technical foundation for Neuraville. Before founding Neuraville, Mohammad has gained over two decades of professional experience in Information Technology, with the latest being with NetApp, Inc, while assuming numerous engineering, leadership, and management responsibilities. Neuraville Neuraville is a start-up technology company with the vision of improving the quality of life, especially for those in need, through intelligent service robotics. Neuraville was founded in 2020 in Kansas and moved to Pittsburgh shortly after to accelerate its progress by being part of one of the fastest-growing robotics communities in the world. At Neuraville, we believe robots should not only be capable of acting on our command but be able to understand the accountability behind actions. Every day we observe the introduction of faster, stronger, and more capable robots, but simultaneously legitimate safety concerns are also growing. The need for safety becomes especially critical when the primary expectation from robots becomes assisting the vulnerable. Neuraville's mission is to help develop the needed technological breakthroughs to develop safe, intelligent, and capable service robots. Stuart Diller CEO Stuart co-founded ESTAT Actuation in 2019 after spending 5 years developing the electroadhesive clutch technology at Carnegie Mellon. His goal is to propel robotic solutions into exciting new markets by providing high-performance hardware that is practical and cost-effective. After work you can find Stuart on the disc golf course or playing in the Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra. ESTAT Actuation ESTAT actuation is pioneering hardware that makes robots safer and less expensive. We dramatically boost the performance of actuator assemblies using electroadhesive clutches and brakes that are 10x lighter and use 1000x less power than conventional components. Brad Factor Founder and CEO Brad has over 15 years of robotics experience in ground, air, and sea-based applications. At Cornell University, he advanced the hardware infrastructure design of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. During his 8 years at Honeywell Aerospace, he served as a subject matter expert for the Boeing 787 and Comac C919 Flight Controls Systems programs, with a primary focus on system architecture and safety monitoring. At Carnegie Mellon University, he focused on VR technology and content development, autonomous robot collaboration, and classic, modern, optimization-based, and biomechanical control theory. His entrepreneurial experience includes the NSF I-Corps program, Project Olympus incubator, AlphaLab Gear hardware accelerator, CMU VentureBridge program, and founding EKTO VR in May of 2018. Brad holds a Master of Science in Robotic Systems Development from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University. EKTO VR EKTO VR is transforming workforce training by simulating the world’s most complex and hazardous environments with wearable technology. EKTO ONE Simulator Boots enable industrial personnel to experience training environments of any size and shape from any location, empowering workers to train for their jobs safely and efficiently. Alexander Baikovitz Co-Founder and CEO Alex Baikovitz is building the operating system for cities at Mach9 Robotics. Previously, Alex was a NASA Space Technology Research Fellow at the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute and NASA Ames Research Center focused on using underground information for robot navigation. Alex worked on parachute and pyrotechnic systems and docking system mechanisms for the Crew Dragon Capsule at SpaceX and on localization and mapping for an agriculture robotics project at Alphabet’s X, the moonshot factory. Alex is excited about technology that extends human capabilities and can see the unseen. Alex received his BS in Mechanical Engineering and MS in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon. Mach9 Robotics Mach9 is building the operating system for cities. We monitor surface and underground infrastructure for utility companies to prevent outages that cost thousands of dollars per minute in downtime. Mach9 graduated from Y Combinator's Summer 2021 cohort and spun out from the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute. Jake Lydick Founder & CEO Jake Lydick was born on the outskirts of Pittsburgh PA, where he and his family of 4 still reside. He was a teenager during the rise of the information age and was taken by the way it changed how people interacted and how business was done. He told himself that if he ever saw a change like that coming again, he was committed to being a part of it. In 2014, he combined his passion for photography, technology, and aviation with the rise of the “drone age” and created Eye-bot. As a general aviator, Jake applied the competency he learned in flight school into his business and personnel. Today, Eye-bot works with the Oil & Gas Supermajors to deliver a comprehensive 3D data set to every stakeholder with the mission to break down communication silos and increase collaboration. Collection and processing the data from infrastructure and confined space inspections to containment calculations to environmental assessments, Eye-bot is relevant on every project keeping safety a priority while deriving efficiencies, and savings for the asset owner. Under the leadership of Jake Lydick, Eye-bot will continue to pioneer innovative ways to capture and deliver the current state and position of critical assets, in the US or abroad. Eye-bot Founded in 2015, Eye-bot is at the forefront of delivering a single truth source on capital projects. We are all about delivering the best value including improved safety and ROI for our clients which are largely in the heavy industry of oil and gas, construction and infrastructure, and power and utilities. Moderator: Joel Reed Executive Director Joel Reed is a robotics business expert with deep connections to one of the world’s top robotics ecosystems in Pittsburgh. Joel has 25 years strategy, business development, and startup experience having transformed innovations to create new solution categories. Joel introduced the first commercially available autonomous mobile robot as a new class of manufacturing and warehouse AGVs. He also led the commercialization of a 3D (LiDAR) data processing application, which was acquired by AutoDesk to enable survey and architectural reality capture solutions. And recently, he served as CEO at IAM Robotics, where he led a $20M Series A and secured the industry’s first deployment of mobile picking robots for e-commerce fulfillment. Joel currently advises early stage firms as Principal of the Reed Business Group and serves as the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN). Learn More about the PRN: Pittsburgh Robotics Network EVENT FAQsCOVID-19 GuidelinesAll attendees will need to show proof of vaccination via mobile device image or vaccine card upon arrival. (Final dose of Pfizer, Moderna or J&J must have been received at least 14 days prior to event date.) Entry to the event will not be permitted for those who do not provide the documentation as required above. All attendees will be required to wear a mask for the safety of others within our community. ParkingLimited street parking is also available nearby in marked spaces (avoid any restricted, unmarked or alley parking as you will be towed.) RefreshmentsComplimentary grab and go lunch will be provided with your ticket. Contact InformationFor registration, ticketing and general event logistics questions: Bradley Jox, Events Manager, [email protected] For member, partner or sponsorship questions: Jennifer Apicella, Program Director, [email protected] SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEADING SPONSORS The Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and strengthening robotics companies in the Pittsburgh region and positioning the ecosystem as an internationally recognized powerhouse. Pittsburgh robotics companies are leading the future of robotics - not just locally, but globally. Our members strive to use robotics to make the world a better place and are trailblazing a new generation of robotic products that solve real problems in a wide variety of industries. Our programs and activities are focused on fostering community and contribute to the growth and promotion of this region's robotics companies and research institutions. Join us as we continue growing our region's legacy as a leader in robotics, and please reach out if you'd like to partner or sponsor our programs: [email protected]