Innovation Works

Hummingbird Systems provides On demand aerial mapping and data analysis of construction sites and agriculture using drones.

CapSen Robotics, Inc., founded in 2016 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in advanced 3D computer vision systems that allow computers to interpret and navigate cluttered environments. The company offers a range of solutions, including cluttered object detection, scanning for both large and small objects, and object tracking, catering to diverse applications in factory automation, vehicle scanning, and retail inventory management. Drawing on research from MIT, CapSen’s technology enhances the capabilities of robots and computer vision systems, which are increasingly being utilized in less structured settings such as warehouses, hospitals, and homes. The company is currently beta testing its software with various system integrators and robotics firms, focusing on robotic picking applications and partnering with a major government contractor for a warehouse project. Their innovative object detection software has already demonstrated its effectiveness in competitive environments, such as a recent robotic order fulfillment competition.

CapSen Robotics, Inc., founded in 2016 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in advanced 3D computer vision systems that allow computers to interpret and navigate cluttered environments. The company offers a range of solutions, including cluttered object detection, scanning for both large and small objects, and object tracking, catering to diverse applications in factory automation, vehicle scanning, and retail inventory management. Drawing on research from MIT, CapSen’s technology enhances the capabilities of robots and computer vision systems, which are increasingly being utilized in less structured settings such as warehouses, hospitals, and homes. The company is currently beta testing its software with various system integrators and robotics firms, focusing on robotic picking applications and partnering with a major government contractor for a warehouse project. Their innovative object detection software has already demonstrated its effectiveness in competitive environments, such as a recent robotic order fulfillment competition.

Identified Technologies Corporation specializes in developing self-piloting aerial mapping and land survey drones, providing comprehensive data scanning, capture, and analytics solutions. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of services that enhance project visibility and productivity for industries such as energy, mining, manufacturing, and construction. Its platform enables users to conduct 3D volumetric analysis, create 2D measurements, and generate detailed maps, while also ensuring FAA compliance and streamlined flight planning. The technology facilitates continuous job site monitoring, allowing clients to perform as-built versus planned comparisons and track project progress, ultimately improving profitability and operational efficiency.

CapSen Robotics, Inc., founded in 2016 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in advanced 3D computer vision systems that allow computers to interpret and navigate cluttered environments. The company offers a range of solutions, including cluttered object detection, scanning for both large and small objects, and object tracking, catering to diverse applications in factory automation, vehicle scanning, and retail inventory management. Drawing on research from MIT, CapSen’s technology enhances the capabilities of robots and computer vision systems, which are increasingly being utilized in less structured settings such as warehouses, hospitals, and homes. The company is currently beta testing its software with various system integrators and robotics firms, focusing on robotic picking applications and partnering with a major government contractor for a warehouse project. Their innovative object detection software has already demonstrated its effectiveness in competitive environments, such as a recent robotic order fulfillment competition.

RoadBotics by Michelin specializes in advanced computer vision technology to assess and monitor public infrastructure, particularly roads. The company automates image mapping and road evaluations, utilizing machine vision and machine learning to quickly identify road issues on a large scale. Its web-based platform generates interactive maps and unbiased ratings, allowing governments and communities to make informed, data-driven decisions about their infrastructure assets. This approach not only streamlines the road assessment process but also helps municipalities effectively plan maintenance and save taxpayer resources. By providing practical tools for road condition evaluation, RoadBotics supports hundreds of communities globally in enhancing their public infrastructure management.

Yodel Labs is focused on delivering precise location services within the mobile device sector. The company has developed a mobile positioning platform that features an acoustic location processing system capable of providing centimeter-level accuracy for indoor positioning. This innovative technology utilizes low-cost, energy-harvesting ultrasound beacons to facilitate high-accuracy localization applications. By doing so, Yodel Labs enables mobile application developers to effectively connect the virtual environment with the physical world.

RoadBotics by Michelin specializes in advanced computer vision technology to assess and monitor public infrastructure, particularly roads. The company automates image mapping and road evaluations, utilizing machine vision and machine learning to quickly identify road issues on a large scale. Its web-based platform generates interactive maps and unbiased ratings, allowing governments and communities to make informed, data-driven decisions about their infrastructure assets. This approach not only streamlines the road assessment process but also helps municipalities effectively plan maintenance and save taxpayer resources. By providing practical tools for road condition evaluation, RoadBotics supports hundreds of communities globally in enhancing their public infrastructure management.

Identified Technologies Corporation specializes in developing self-piloting aerial mapping and land survey drones, providing comprehensive data scanning, capture, and analytics solutions. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of services that enhance project visibility and productivity for industries such as energy, mining, manufacturing, and construction. Its platform enables users to conduct 3D volumetric analysis, create 2D measurements, and generate detailed maps, while also ensuring FAA compliance and streamlined flight planning. The technology facilitates continuous job site monitoring, allowing clients to perform as-built versus planned comparisons and track project progress, ultimately improving profitability and operational efficiency.

CapSen Robotics, Inc., founded in 2016 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in advanced 3D computer vision systems that allow computers to interpret and navigate cluttered environments. The company offers a range of solutions, including cluttered object detection, scanning for both large and small objects, and object tracking, catering to diverse applications in factory automation, vehicle scanning, and retail inventory management. Drawing on research from MIT, CapSen’s technology enhances the capabilities of robots and computer vision systems, which are increasingly being utilized in less structured settings such as warehouses, hospitals, and homes. The company is currently beta testing its software with various system integrators and robotics firms, focusing on robotic picking applications and partnering with a major government contractor for a warehouse project. Their innovative object detection software has already demonstrated its effectiveness in competitive environments, such as a recent robotic order fulfillment competition.

LaneSpotter finds safe bike routes for cyclists and provides real-time information about the roads they ride. Unlike current apps, LaneSpotter leverages its community to create living maps that highlight real-life road conditions. By sharing their knowledge of local streets and businesses, LaneSpotter’s cycling community generates information that cannot be captured with a static map, like road safety ratings, bike infrastructure, alerts for road conditions like potholes, and recommended rides and routes.

RoadBotics by Michelin specializes in advanced computer vision technology to assess and monitor public infrastructure, particularly roads. The company automates image mapping and road evaluations, utilizing machine vision and machine learning to quickly identify road issues on a large scale. Its web-based platform generates interactive maps and unbiased ratings, allowing governments and communities to make informed, data-driven decisions about their infrastructure assets. This approach not only streamlines the road assessment process but also helps municipalities effectively plan maintenance and save taxpayer resources. By providing practical tools for road condition evaluation, RoadBotics supports hundreds of communities globally in enhancing their public infrastructure management.

LaneSpotter finds safe bike routes for cyclists and provides real-time information about the roads they ride. Unlike current apps, LaneSpotter leverages its community to create living maps that highlight real-life road conditions. By sharing their knowledge of local streets and businesses, LaneSpotter’s cycling community generates information that cannot be captured with a static map, like road safety ratings, bike infrastructure, alerts for road conditions like potholes, and recommended rides and routes.

Identified Technologies Corporation specializes in developing self-piloting aerial mapping and land survey drones, providing comprehensive data scanning, capture, and analytics solutions. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of services that enhance project visibility and productivity for industries such as energy, mining, manufacturing, and construction. Its platform enables users to conduct 3D volumetric analysis, create 2D measurements, and generate detailed maps, while also ensuring FAA compliance and streamlined flight planning. The technology facilitates continuous job site monitoring, allowing clients to perform as-built versus planned comparisons and track project progress, ultimately improving profitability and operational efficiency.

LaneSpotter finds safe bike routes for cyclists and provides real-time information about the roads they ride. Unlike current apps, LaneSpotter leverages its community to create living maps that highlight real-life road conditions. By sharing their knowledge of local streets and businesses, LaneSpotter’s cycling community generates information that cannot be captured with a static map, like road safety ratings, bike infrastructure, alerts for road conditions like potholes, and recommended rides and routes.

Kaarta, Inc. specializes in 3D model generation software that processes environmental data to create accurate, multi-dimensional digital models. The company’s technology enables real-time mobile 3D reality capture, allowing users to map complex environments without the need for external signals such as GPS or Wi-Fi. Kaarta offers a hand-held 3D scanning system called Contour, which allows users to generate a 3D map while moving through an environment, as well as Stencil 2, a mobile mapping platform designed for rapid scanning. Utilizing advanced robotics and proprietary algorithms, Kaarta's solutions streamline workflows and reduce costs while enhancing understanding of physical spaces for both humans and autonomous machines. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company was previously known as Real Earth, Inc. before rebranding in December 2016.

CapSen Robotics, Inc., founded in 2016 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in advanced 3D computer vision systems that allow computers to interpret and navigate cluttered environments. The company offers a range of solutions, including cluttered object detection, scanning for both large and small objects, and object tracking, catering to diverse applications in factory automation, vehicle scanning, and retail inventory management. Drawing on research from MIT, CapSen’s technology enhances the capabilities of robots and computer vision systems, which are increasingly being utilized in less structured settings such as warehouses, hospitals, and homes. The company is currently beta testing its software with various system integrators and robotics firms, focusing on robotic picking applications and partnering with a major government contractor for a warehouse project. Their innovative object detection software has already demonstrated its effectiveness in competitive environments, such as a recent robotic order fulfillment competition.

Identified Technologies Corporation specializes in developing self-piloting aerial mapping and land survey drones, providing comprehensive data scanning, capture, and analytics solutions. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of services that enhance project visibility and productivity for industries such as energy, mining, manufacturing, and construction. Its platform enables users to conduct 3D volumetric analysis, create 2D measurements, and generate detailed maps, while also ensuring FAA compliance and streamlined flight planning. The technology facilitates continuous job site monitoring, allowing clients to perform as-built versus planned comparisons and track project progress, ultimately improving profitability and operational efficiency.

Identified Technologies Corporation specializes in developing self-piloting aerial mapping and land survey drones, providing comprehensive data scanning, capture, and analytics solutions. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of services that enhance project visibility and productivity for industries such as energy, mining, manufacturing, and construction. Its platform enables users to conduct 3D volumetric analysis, create 2D measurements, and generate detailed maps, while also ensuring FAA compliance and streamlined flight planning. The technology facilitates continuous job site monitoring, allowing clients to perform as-built versus planned comparisons and track project progress, ultimately improving profitability and operational efficiency.

Thar Geothermal, LLC develops and markets heating and cooling solutions that are rooted in nature’s design, and that meets the triple bottom line of enhanced energy efficiency, reduced operating costs, and reduced environmental footprint. What differentiates Thar Geothermal from other commercial geothermal systems is the use of an established natural refrigerant, recycled carbon dioxide (known as R744). Additionally the technology lowers the cost and environmental footprint of system installation which has historically hampered adoption of conventional geothermal technology. By improving return of investment and lowering market barriers, Thar Geothermal is planning for rapid market penetration. The company is now in the process of transitioning from a development-stage company to a commercial operating company that designs, builds, installs, and finances sustainable heating and cooling systems.

AllPoint Systems specializes in software and data processing solutions that cater to the needs of surveyors and engineers engaged in 3D projects. By focusing on advanced technologies like High Definition Scanning (HDS) and Terrestrial Mobile LiDAR Scanning (TMLS), the company enables scanning professionals to efficiently collect and process 3D LIDAR point cloud data, significantly enhancing the scale and speed of their projects compared to traditional manual methods. Their offerings are particularly valuable in the roadway and building markets, where there is growing demand for accurate and effective data management to meet the expectations of asset owners.