National Robotics Engineering Center

Today, we are honoring Warren “Chuck” Whittaker and his incredible contributions to the Robotics Institute as he steps into retirement. Chuck’s journey with Carnegie Mellon University began in 1985 when he joined a team developing robots to inspect the contaminated basement of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He later became a lead engineer at Redzone Robotics, a company founded by his brother, Red Whittaker. In 2004, Chuck returned to CMU as the senior field robotics engineer at the CMU Field Robotics Center (FRC), where his work spanned from autonomous vehicles to developing robots for mining and outer space exploration. Below, he is pictured giving his final FRC lecture. Chuck also made a lasting impact by mentoring high school students through the Girls of Steel robotics team, led by George Kantor. The Robotics Institute has been profoundly shaped by Chuck’s dedication, enthusiasm, and his expertise in field robotics. His commitment to supporting students, researchers, and fellow staff has left an enduring legacy. Please join us in celebrating Chuck Whittaker’s remarkable career and wishing him all the best as he embarks on this exciting new chapter of retirement!

Curious about the world of robotics, AI, and tech? 🤖 Join us at Pittsburgh Robotics Discovery Day for a fun and engaging experience! Explore the latest advancements, meet industry leaders, and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for innovation 💡 Whether you’re considering a career change into tech, looking to expand your network, or exploring investment opportunities, this event has it all 🙌 Get hands-on with live demos, soak up insights from experts, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where creativity thrives ✨ 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/egTwEFEh Innovation Works | New Economy Collaborative | Robotics Factory | Allegheny Conference on Community Development | Pittsburgh Region. Next is Now. | Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission | Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development | InnovatePGH | ARM Institute | #RoboticsDiscoveryDay #PittsburghRoboticsDiscoveryDay #RoboDD #Robotics #Innovation #Automation #TechTransformation #WorkforceOfTheFuture #RoboInnovation #PittsburghRobotics #RoboticsInnovation #PittsburghTech #RoboticsLeadership #PGHRobotics #Roboburgh #PGHTech #PittsburghRoboticsNetwork #RoboticsPGH #PittsburghTechies #DeepTech #DeepTechPGH #RoboPGH #PittsburghRoboticsHub

Happy Halloween from NREC! Our engineers approached the pumpkin carving contest with the same precision, ingenuity, and attention to detail as they do while building robots to solve industry challenges. Congratulations to our champions!

Thank you to National Robotics Engineering Center for hosting our recent graduate student visit! Special shoutout to Jeff Legault for his insightful presentation on the company's history and project highlights. The discussion, with input from JHU alumni, Felix Jonathan and Zachary Pezzementi, showcased NREC's commitment to teamwork, customer experience, and diverse projects. Kudos to Christine DeCarolis for organizing such a great program. Let's stay connected!

From concept to commercialization, NREC develops custom robotics solutions. What started as an initial analysis study has grown to a full blown system preparing to launch into operation on the Mississippi River. Learn more in the video from our partners at Salas O'Brien, highlighting the talented engineering team behind Armor 1.

NREC is headed to #MINExpo in Las Vegas! We're excited to showcase some robots delivered and deployed in mine sites around the world. Visit the NREC Booth 1931 in the North Hall to chat with engineers, explore custom solutions, and discuss mapping, #autonomy, and safety applications in #mining. To schedule a meeting, email our team at [email protected]. See you at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL!

Our Onsite Training for the summer of 2024 is almost over but you still have time to signup for our Onsite LEGO SPIKE Prime happening August 5-9! https://bit.ly/3WNxc1Z Live Online classes begin this fall: https://bit.ly/3O7NhuA

We're hiring! The National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) is looking for a dynamic Associate Director of Business Development to spearhead our business development initiatives. Click on the link below to discover more about this exciting opportunity. #hiring #businessdevelopment

Carnegie Mellon systems scientist Ji Zhang has received the prestigious Robotics: Science and Systems 2024 Test of Time award for his work on LOAM: Lidar Odometry and Mapping in Real-Time! As this year's awardee, Zhang will present a virtual keynote at the Robotics: Science and Systems conference on July 18th. There will also be a Test of Time panel session devoted to his work on LOAM! Read about the 2014 paper that has remained critical to simultaneous location and mapping research and hear Ji talk more about his work at https://lnkd.in/em5V7hi6

Happy National Intern Day to our incredible 2024 Summer Cohort! This summer is flying by, and in a matter of weeks we get to enjoy internal demonstrations where this group will showcase things they've learned and what they've built over the course of their NREC internship. We remain impressed with their dedication, grit, and eagerness to learn. #NationalInternDay