The mission of the DOE’s Environmental Management Office  (DOE EM) is to address the nation’s environmental legacy from the Manhattan Project through the end of the Cold War, specifically the radioactive sites in the US with large amounts of radioactive wastes, spent nuclear fuel, and contaminated facilities, soil, and groundwater.  Their mission is to clean up and protect communities affected by these issues and are interested in dexterous robotics as a possible help.

The Frozen Food Foundation (Frozen Food Foundation) is the research arm of the American Frozen Food Institute.  Food handling via dexterity is a growing need in America as the US workforce shrinks.  The FFF is enthusiastic about the types of use cases they can provide and expertise they can share with HAND in this area, as well as seeing the work HAND is doing and how robotic dexterity can be applied to food challenges in the future.  

The NASA Robotic Systems Technology Branch  (NASA RSTB) is responsible for the research, engineering, development, integration, and application of robotic hardware and software technologies for specific flight and ground robotic system applications in support of human spaceflight. Their vision is to have humans and robots working side-by-side in the pursuit of exploration.  The RSTB vision includes both remotely controlled and autonomous robots for space and terrestrial application, as well as intelligent robotics for high value functionality.  

The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory) is a leader in robotic space exploration; they’ve sent rovers to Mars, probes into the solar system, and satellites aimed at surveying Earth.  They are currently working on missions to investigate Venus and other solar system objects including Mars.  NASA has a keen interest in not only robotics to aid in developing support structures but specifically dexterous robotics to help prepare Mars to receive its first human visitors.  Their employees regularly support student robotics competitions.

The Lake Park Foundation  (Lake Park Foundation) is a non-profit organization in the Chicago suburbs dedicated to providing resources for unique programs and activities to enhance student learning at Lake Park High School campuses.  They’re involved in student events and are a source for HAND’s RET efforts as well as student opportunities to connect with interested high schoolers.  

The American Society for Testing Material (ASTM) is a standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical international standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems and services.  As a standards setting body, they are involved in defining international standards for robotics.

NIST  (NIST) is the National Institute of Standards and Technology.  The Grasping, Manipulation and Contact Safety group, associated with Committee F45 on Robotics, Automation, and Autonomous Systems, are charged with developing standards for industrial/commercial robotics, automation, and autonomous systems (i.e. terminology, practices, classifications, guides, test methods, and specifications), including dexterous robotic hands, robotic arms/manipulators, and the sensors used in these systems; for smart infrastructures, advanced manufacturing, logistics and other automation.  

SCORE  (S.C.O.R.E.), or the Southeastern Center of Robotics Education, is an outreach center designed to develop and deliver robotics education to K-12 students and teachers. SCORE seeks to provide a mechanism for growth in the area of robotics education outreach, equipping teachers across the Southeastern US to incorporate robotics and dexterity into their classroom curricula.  They’re involved in leading professional development for teachers, supporting curriculum development, running robotics competitions, and leading educational conferences centered around robotics.  

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago  (Federal Reserve) and especially its Economic Mobility Project provide evidence-based research on factors and policies that affect economic mobility.  The Project focuses on connecting the policy community with data-driven research, convening meetings that foster dialogue between the research and policy communities.  They are advocates of overcoming barriers to adoption of technology while also focusing on workforce development activities. 

The Army Research Directorate (Army Research Directorate ARL) focuses on discovery, technology development, and transition of potentially disruptive science and technology.  Their goal is to deliver to the Army science-based capabilities through their many research areas.  The research directorate also manages the laboratory’s research programs which are research efforts focused on delivering defined outcomes including in the area of robotic dexterity.