If
ReconRobotics has its way, the company's cutting-edge micro-robots will become standard issue for many more government entities.
Although
the Edina-based firm already has a number of federal and state
contacts, the addition of Andrew Borene--a former U.S. Marine who served
in Iraq and once worked at the Pentagon--should boost its reach, the
company hopes.
ReconRobotics was formed in 2006 in order to
commercialize robotics technology developed at the University of
Minnesota Robotics Laboratory. The company's devices are used by
hundreds of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and
military units to obtain real-time video of hostile environments.
The
distinctive robots are lightweight, rugged, and versatile, and the
newest little robot, the Recon Scout XT, is only 1.2 pounds and can be
thrown 120 feet without damage.
Borene steps into the newly
created position of Director of Government and Industry Affairs in order
to build the company's government-relations activities and support
federally funded research and development programs for micro-robot
technologies. Most recently, Borene served in a similar capacity at
LexisNexis, where he dealt with large contract programs with defense and
intelligence agencies.
"ReconRobotics has established itself as a
world leader in micro-robotics," he says. "The company is now going
from being a start-up to a mature enterprise, and it's my job to help
that happen."
He adds that a recent speech by President Obama
highlighted several industries that would be pushing the economy
forward, and robotics was mentioned as a source of innovation. Borene is
ready to make good on that promise by getting ReconRobotics into the
spotlight.
"I see my role as helping to marshal government
resources and get some development and support," he says. "It's really
exciting, what we have ahead. I love it."
Source: Andrew Borene, ReconRobotics
Writer: Elizabeth Millard