What Is RSE?
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To apply robotic technology to solving large-scale environmental challenges and to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers through our efforts.
Passion for the Environment, Education, and Good Business
OVERVIEW
There is boundless potential for robotic technology to address environmental catastrophes. Recognizing this, Colin Angle, chairman, chief executive officer and founder of iRobot and Erika Angle, chief executive officer of Science From Scientists, have founded Robots in Service of the Environment (RSE). RSE is an independent non-profit organization, not affiliated with iRobot, that is focused on developing robots to solve environmental problems. Started with initial funding from the Anthropocene Institute, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners and the Angle Family, the non-profit's first initiative is to develop an undersea robot to slow the destruction caused by lionfish, an invasive species drastically reducing biodiversity and coral reef health in all warm waters of the western Atlantic. By combining technology development with mass manufacturing techniques, RSE offers a unique set of capabilities to solve some of the world's most challenging environmental problems on a massive scale.
First Face-to-Face Encounter with the Invasive Lionfish
FOUNDING STORY
Fervent scuba divers and travelers, Colin and Erika Angle are deeply aware of how fragile the marine ecosystem is and the importance of biodiversity in our oceans. In 2015, on a diving trip to Bermuda, Colin and Erika Angle came face-to-face with the lionfish and saw the devastating reduction to biodiversity and damage to the coral reef that these voracious fish were creating.
During Colin and Erika’s trip to Bermuda, they happened to join a diving excursion with some of Bermuda’s top environmentalists including Geoff Gardner, Chairman of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute; Helen Gardner, Executive Team member of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute; Chris Flook, Collector of Specimens at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo; Graham Maddocks, president and founder of the Ocean Support Foundation; and Philippe Rouja, Custodian of Historic Shipwrecks for Bermuda.
After seeing first-hand the damage being caused by lionfish, this ignited the passions of the group and a conversation about the technological solutions robots could offer reaching lionfish populations below a safe depth for sport divers ensued. RSE was born over sushi and Bermudian beer, and the lionfish robot platform soon came to life.
Working With The Scientific & Robotics Community
RSE COLLABORATORS
iRobot
Robo Nautica LLC
Smith-Root
Science from Scientists
Anthropocene Institute
Government of Bermuda
Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute
Bermuda Lionfish Task Force
Bermuda Ocean Support Foundation
NEKTON
The America’s Cup Endeavour Program
A Quote From The Anthropocene Institute
ENDORSED BY ENVIRONMENTALISTS
"The Anthropocene Institute is working on a broad spectrum of environmental issues. Lionfish caught our eye because they are particularly damaging; they are voracious predators, devastating fisheries and the environment up and down North and South America; they are found very deep below safe depths for diving, and reproduce quickly. Robots are ideal for tasks that are hazardous for humans. RSE has the proven expertise to design and mass produce robots and we are fans of their approach.”
- Barbara Page, Co-founder and VP Operations of the Anthropocene Institute
Featured Video & Article
RSE FEATURED ON PBS NEWS HOUR
We were recently featured on PBS News hour, featuring our robot built to zap “Darwin’s Nightmare” – the invasive lionfish. Lionfish are invasive to the Atlantic Ocean and their voracious appetites are upsetting coral reef ecosystems. Watch the video or view the article here.