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I am a maker, researcher and entrepreneur focused on robotics, physical AI, computer vision, renewable energy, sustainability and design for extreme affordability. I have led robotics initiatives and built startups that connect research to real-world impact. I bridge the gap between fundamental science and applied industry, and I am energized by turning complex problems into practical, scalable solutions. Over the years I spent in sustainable international development and design for extreme affordability, I collaborated with TED and Echoing Green fellows to advance action on climate and technology in emerging markets. I enjoy turning ambitious ideas into tangible products and programs, while advocating for user needs and societal considerations in AI, robotics, and energy systems.…I am a maker, researcher and entrepreneur focused on robotics, physical AI, computer vision, renewable energy, sustainability and design for extreme affordability. I have led robotics initiatives and built startups that connect research to real-world impact. I bridge the gap between fundamental science and applied industry, and I am energized by turning complex problems into practical, scalable solutions. Over the years I spent in sustainable international development and design for extreme affordability, I collaborated with TED and Echoing Green fellows to advance action on climate and technology in emerging markets. I enjoy turning ambitious ideas into tangible products and programs, while advocating for user needs and societal considerations in AI, robotics, and energy systems.

Peter Haas

Director of Photography, Executive Producer, Designer, +4

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I am a maker, researcher and entrepreneur focused on robotics, physical AI, computer vision, renewable energy, sustainability and design for extreme affordability. I have led robotics initiatives and built startups that connect research to real-world impact. I bridge the gap between fundamental science and applied industry, and I am energized by turning complex problems into practical, scalable solutions. Over the years I spent in sustainable international development and design for extreme affordability, I collaborated with TED and Echoing Green fellows to advance action on climate and technology in emerging markets. I enjoy turning ambitious ideas into tangible products and programs, while advocating for user needs and societal considerations in AI, robotics, and energy systems.…I am a maker, researcher and entrepreneur focused on robotics, physical AI, computer vision, renewable energy, sustainability and design for extreme affordability. I have led robotics initiatives and built startups that connect research to real-world impact. I bridge the gap between fundamental science and applied industry, and I am energized by turning complex problems into practical, scalable solutions. Over the years I spent in sustainable international development and design for extreme affordability, I collaborated with TED and Echoing Green fellows to advance action on climate and technology in emerging markets. I enjoy turning ambitious ideas into tangible products and programs, while advocating for user needs and societal considerations in AI, robotics, and energy systems.

Available to hire

I am a maker, researcher and entrepreneur focused on robotics, physical AI, computer vision, renewable energy, sustainability and design for extreme affordability. I have led robotics initiatives and built startups that connect research to real-world impact. I bridge the gap between fundamental science and applied industry, and I am energized by turning complex problems into practical, scalable solutions.

Over the years I spent in sustainable international development and design for extreme affordability, I collaborated with TED and Echoing Green fellows to advance action on climate and technology in emerging markets. I enjoy turning ambitious ideas into tangible products and programs, while advocating for user needs and societal considerations in AI, robotics, and energy systems.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

French

Beginner

Spanish; Castilian

Beginner

Work Experience

Director, Department of Robotics at Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)

October 1, 2023 - September 1, 2025

Led the robotics department and built out the state's robotics ecosystem; managed $30M in economic development funding; cultivated relationships with academia, industry and government including Amazon Robotics, Boston Dynamics, MassRobotics; advised on robotics policy; supported MassRobotics Accelerator startups; analyzed the state's robotics ecosystem and published opportunities report.

Professional Speaker/Consultant at Self-Employed

June 1, 2009 - Present

Public speaker and AI/Robotics/Design consultant for Fortune 500s and major conferences. Spoke at TED Global, World Bank, Clinton Global Initiative and other venues. Led ideation workshops on the impact of AI on society for TED Summit. Provided Robotics, AI, IoT and cybersecurity consulting through Robotics Services LLC.

Co-Founder/Curator at Providence Speaking Society

January 1, 2012 - February 25, 2025

Curator and general manager for TEDxProvidence speaker series and conference, building program and coordinating events.

Robotics AI CEO at Avendly, Inc.

February 1, 2022 - October 1, 2023

Built restaurant robotics systems, including a flagship bar tending robot. Designed computer vision system with Swin Transformers. Secured first financing. Set up financial controls. Managed international software and hardware teams. Achieved pilot deployment.

Faculty at Brown University School of Engineering (Part Time)

January 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022

Taught ENGN 930A (Appropriate Technology) on design for extreme affordability, renewable energy and sustainable construction; also taught a summer drone course.

Research Director, Computer Vision AI Software at IDC

May 1, 2021 - December 1, 2021

Managed market research in the Computer Vision AI Software market; provided strategic consulting to startups on computer vision applications.

Associate Director at Humanity Centered Robotics Initiative, Brown University

April 1, 2016 - May 1, 2021

Direct manager for four staff and two postdoctoral fellows; engaged corporate partners for sponsored research; managed IOT lab serving 400 students; advanced analysis of robotics/AI/IOT societal impact; organized programs and public outreach; supported NSF partnerships.

Co-Founder/COO at XactSense, Inc.

June 1, 2014 - October 1, 2015

Co-founded ROS-based LIDAR scanning UAVs for surveying; led software/hardware teams; ROS development for CV, LIDAR and sensor fusion; managed early financing and business operations; won 2015 MassChallenge.

Co-Founder/Executive Director at Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group (AIDG)

June 1, 2004 - June 1, 2014

Founder/Executive director of an international charity focused on appropriate technology transfer and green businesses in Guatemala and Haiti; built a makerspace; ran a hardware accelerator supporting 13 companies; largest successes Kingo Energy and Enersa Haiti; recognized by Clinton Global Initiative, Echoing Green and TED.

Systems Administrator at Freelance

June 1, 2002 - August 1, 2004

Cybersecurity and Linux/Windows administration.

Senior Engineer at Mobilocity Inc.

March 1, 2000 - June 1, 2001

Java development for mobile data; EJB, VXML, PalmOS.

Special Instructor for the Hearing Impaired at Diablo View Middle School

March 1, 1999 - March 1, 2000

Sign language special education.

Head Technician at TeleMentor Inc.

August 1, 1998 - December 1, 1998

PBX programming, Network/Micro cell administration.

Junior Developer at Navastro

January 1, 1997 - May 1, 1997

C++ development on the NASA Gravity Probe B mission.

Director, Department of Robotics at Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2025

Led the robotics ecosystem development in Massachusetts, managed $30M in economic development funding, built relationships with academia, industry and government (e.g., Amazon Robotics, Boston Dynamics, MassRobotics), advised on policy impacts in robotics, supported MassRobotics Accelerator startups with funding and connections, and analyzed the state’s robotics ecosystem culminating in a published opportunities report.