Shadow, HaptX, and Tangible form Converge Robotics Group

The international consortium aims to extend the reach of human cognition, sensing, and dexterity through technology integration.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Shadow Robot Company, HaptX, and Tangible Research announced at CES 2020 the formation of Converge Robotics Group, an alliance with a mission to integrate leading technologies into systems that allow an operator to control robotic equipment through natural user interfaces with unprecedented levels of verisimilitude.

Converge Robotics Group's Tactile Telerobot, is making its public debut at CES 2020 and now available for purchase by early access customers. Converge's Telerobot is a breakthrough tele-operated system that enables the precise control of robotic hands that transmit the sense of touch to the operator's hands by means of haptic gloves.

In a widely publicized demo at Amazon's re:MARS conference, Jeff Bezos operated the system and described the experience as “really impressive,” remarking that “the tactile feedback is tremendous.”

Clockwise from top left: An early unimanual prototype of Converge’s telerobot, a user operates a bimanual version of the Tactile Telerobot, Dr. Jeremy Fishel presens about Converge’s international collaboration at Amazon re:MARS, Jeff Bezos experiences Converge’s robotic technology in July 2019.

“Our teams have spent more than a year integrating the Tactile Telerobot and improving upon its capabilities,” said Dr. Jeremy Fishel, Founder of Tangible Research. “The amazing international response we've received validated the market potential for our technology. With the formation of Converge Robotics Group and our CES debut, we're bringing this tech out of the research lab and into real-world industry."

“Converge's telerobot platform lets humans and robots share their sense of touch across the globe, which expands the intuitiveness and realism of teleoperation of robotic equipment,” said Rich Walker, Managing Director of Shadow Robot Company. “This has profound implications for safeguarding human lives from hazardous tasks in the nuclear, energy, aerospace, and government sectors. Eventually, this technology could reduce our need for travel and stop humans from putting their life on the line in risky jobs.”

“The founding of Converge Robotics Group elevates our joint collaboration from 'interesting research project' to 'transformative technology platform,'" said Jake Rubin, Founder and CEO of HaptX. "This formalizes our joint collaboration and paves the way for additional partners, sponsors, integrators, and customers, which will accelerate the development of technology that was once limited to the realm of science fiction."

The Converge Robotics Group's Tactile Telerobot is on display today at booth #51312 at the Eureka Park expo in CES, where attendees can get a first-hand view of the system and meet representatives from founding companies. Interested parties can learn more and contact Converge Robotics Group at convergerobotics.com.

About Converge Robotics Group Converge Robotics Group has a mission to extend the reach of human cognition, sensation, and manipulation via technology integration. Converge was formed in 2020 by founding members HaptX, Shadow Robot Company, and Tangible Research. The group's first product, the Tactile Telerobot, is the world's first set of telerobotic hands to bring a realistic sense of touch to the system's operator. Converge Robotics Group is actively seeking hardware partners, project sponsors, and early access customers. www.convergerobotics.com

About Shadow Robot Company Shadow Robot Company is one of the UK’s leading robotic developers, experts at grasping and manipulation for robotic hands. Shadow has worked with companies and researchers across the globe, looking at new ways to apply robotics technologies to solve real world problems. They develop and sell the Dexterous Hand, recently used to advance research into AI, and the Modular Grasper, an essential tool for supporting industry 4.0. Their new Teleoperation System is being developed for the AVATAR X space programme (their third space collaboration after NASA and ESA) and can be deployed in nuclear safety and pharma labs. www.shadowrobot.com

About HaptX Founded in 2012 by Jake Rubin and Dr. Robert Crockett, HaptX builds technology that simulates touch with unprecedented realism. HaptX Gloves enable natural interaction and realistic haptic feedback in virtual reality and robotics for the first time. HaptX is a venture-backed startup with offices in San Luis Obispo, CA, and Seattle, WA. www.haptx.com

About Tangible Research Tangible Research offers expertise in telerobotic engineering and customization for a wide variety of industries including nuclear, space, transportation, and healthcare. Founded by Jeremy Fishel, PhD, who previously served as co-founder and CTO of SynTouch, Tangible Research offers consulting services and prototyping, development, and technology integration. www.tangible-research.com