The internet brought changes we still haven’t fully reckoned with, and autonomous robotics will be the next big technology wave. That is the sentiment of Aaron Singer and his team at AutoModality, a San Rafael company that is riding the edge of that wave. They’ve designed autonomous robotics software for drones.
“All three of us, myself, Dan Hennage and Ed Koch, are longtime technologists and we believed all of the technologies would improve the world,” said Singer, the chief executive. “We are focused in the industrial sector.
“Crumbling infrastructure is a big pain point. Lack of quality data on this infrastructure brings its safety into question. AMROS, our Automodality Robotics Operating Suite and Perceptive Navigation, make it possible (for drones) to do difficult inspections without putting people’s safety at risk.”
Co-founders Hennage and Koch share a background in engineering and control systems. Aviation director Jimmy Halliday and Singer share a background in aviation.
AutoModality is not a drone company. In fact, it uses off-the-shelf drones and outfits them with a computer, a sensor package and the navigation software.
“Our system is GPS/RS radio frequency denied,” Singer said. “That means our system doesn’t require a connection between a human and our drone.
“Union Pacific is a client and utilizes our system for bridge inspections. Imagine the difference between shutting down a rail bridge for a day or two, while a truck extends a large arm with a bucket on the end that hangs an inspector over the side to be able to see hard to reach areas for a safety inspection. Now, they use our robotic drones with a camera that can get you up close photographing every inch of the way in a fraction of the time. Our system has AI and knows where it is within 2 to 3 millimeters at every point, so if a problem is identified it can be pinpointed for further inspection or repair.”
Safety is a concern both in terms of employee health and safety and the safety of the infrastructure. AutoModality works with Fortune 500 companies, and Singer estimates its system is saving 35% to 80% in risk reduction and inspection costs that could translate to tens of millions of dollars.
“I know people often think of autonomous robots replacing humans, but at Union Pacific the opposite is true. They now have a entire department dedicated to drone technology that is providing a better tool to increase security and safety,” Singer said.
Mining is another area where drone applications are expanding. With no GPS or radio connections, AutoModality drones can go deep into underground mines to do safety inspections or locate an injured person and provide that location information to rescue teams. They can also be utilized for dam inspections and tower infrastructure. Underwater drones are used for oil platform inspections.
Investors have seen the future in this emerging technology. And it isn’t limited to the industrial sector. In 2016, AutoModality won first place and $100,000 in an autonomous search-and-rescue contest sponsored by DJI, Ford and the United Nations. Following that, it won the Genius NY startup competition and was awarded $1,000,000.
AutoModality maintains offices in San Rafael and Syracuse, New York. To learn more visit: automodality.com
New home
The Home Consignment Center has a new home in the remodeled Marin Square Shopping Center at 75 Bellam Blvd. And if the shopping center stayed within its $1.2 million facelift budget, the results look like a major makeover with spaces ready for new tenants like consignment store.
Store manager Sev Montoya said, “We had a great location for years in Corte Madera, but La-Z-Boy planned to move back into the building and our lease was up in December. We looked all over Marin County for the best place to meet our needs. I kept coming back to this spot.”
Montoya couldn’t be more pleased with the new digs. In fact, early on in the process, Home Consignment Center took advantage of the remodeling to have walls removed so its space takes up four business locations, giving the store an open floor plan with plenty of room to display the goods.
“We had our soft opening last Sunday and 400 people showed up,” Montoya said.