About us
VISUAL AUTONOMY FOR AIRCRAFT
KEF Robotics provides state-of-the-art autonomy software to fly aircraft without a human pilot. A computer vision company at its core, KEF’s algorithms leverage cameras to enable autonomous flight across a variety of platforms and use cases. Our mission is to improve the safety and reliability of aircraft, expand their range and utility, and allow them to fly without GPS in uncooporative environments.
We support numerous commercial partners and Department of Defense groups, including DTRA, SOCOM, Army and Air Force. KEF is a small business located in Pittsburgh, PA.
Our story
Nov 2018
Kerry, Eric, and Fraser leave their company to start KEF Robotics. K-E-F, see what we did there?
Dec 2018
The KEF team takes a finalist spot in the global Alpha Pilot competition.
2019
Based off of connections made at the competition, KEF secures their first NASA & DoD contract.
2020
The company secures multiple DoD contracts while growing and developing new autonomy capabilities
2021
Expanding their team through the pandemic, KEF continued researching new capabilities and use cases
2023
KEF wins an unprecedented amount of new work leading to the team almost doubling in size while celebrating their 5 year birthday.
2024
The company expanded by opening an office in Oslo, Norway as well as established a team of operators in Ukraine!
MEET OUR TEAM
ERIC
AMOROSO
Co-founder
Eric is one of KEF's founding members and is Co-CTO. Eric is an expert in autonomous navigation. He is a stellar pilot, an exceptional guitar player, and loves drinking cold brew with a straw.
Kerry
Snyder
Co-founder
Kerry is also one of KEF's original founders and Co-CTO. Kerry is an expert software and hardware engineer and built the backbone of our GNC stack. He also happens to love cute cats and a good IPA.
ERIC
AMOROSO
Co-founder
Eric is one of KEF's founding members and is Co-CTO. Eric focuses on our machine learning capabilities and loves drinking cold brew with a straw.
Fraser
Kitchell
Co-founder
A co-founder and CEO, Fraser leads strategy, partnership, and operations for KEF Robotics. Fraser has personally built most of the walls in our warehouse, loves biking, and his dog, Joby!
RISHIKESH VANARSE
Computer Vision Engineer
Rishikesh works on internal R&D, SLAM, and develops features for improving navigation. Rishikesh enjoys wildlife photography and drinks too much coffee. No seriously, we are all very worried about him.
steve
Harbeson
Defense Technical Relations Lead
Steve leads KEF's government relationships. He has 30+ years of military, federal, and defense contracting experience in Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Special Operations, Diving, Robotics, program management and advanced professional training. He is a decorated combat veteran who served during Operation's Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.
When Steve isn't working, he can be found sitting on the porch solving the world's problems over a glass of wine with his wife Laura, going on hikes with his wife and dogs, and navigating single track challenges on dirt bikes.
Senior Robotics Research Engineer
Mithril is a machine learning and hardware expert. She leads and contributes to numerous projects. Mithril can climb any vertical surface and consumes dangerous amounts of caffeine.
Paul
Frivold
Engineering Director for European Operations
Paul spearheads our hardware integrations across Europe, leveraging his expertise as our resident simulation specialist. As the proudest Norwegian we know, Paul manages our oversees team out of Oslo! Outside of work, Paul is an adventurist enjoying great heights and caving!
DAPHNE
TSAI
Robotics Engineer
Daphne is a robotics specialist specializing in perception. Joining our team as the proudest Michigan Wolverine, she grew up in Texas, 5 minutes down the street from the Snapple headquarters.
jonathan
cruz
Senior Applications Engineer
Jon spearheads several projects utilizing his adept navigation and C++ proficiency. Jon leads numerous hardware and software integration efforts and in his spare time enjoys traveling and making bangers only playlists.
curtis
boirum
Robotic Research Systems Engineer
Curt leads our hardware devision, assembling our drones and payloads. He is in charge of our e-lab and helps to pilot. Curt loves spending time with his family and volunteering!
Nick
Childers
Drone Operator & Pilot
Nick Childers is an Emmy award-winning visual journalist and documentary filmmaker who has been instrumental in telling stories from the front lines of conflicts. In his free time, Nick enjoys going to techno raves and working on his upcoming documentary.
Olga
Pogoda
Chief Operating Officer
Olga takes lead on all internal operations, marketing, and finances. Olga is a helicopter pilot, loves hot tea, and the great outdoors.
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Odin Severinsen
Robotics Research Engineer
Some know him as god of war and death, father of Thor. To us Odin is known for his consumption of beer and his killer Mario Kart skills. Odin is a top SLAM engineer and joins Paul as our second employee in the Norway Office.
Chris Klammer
Robotics Software Engineer
Chris's specialization lies at the intersection of computer vision, SLAM, and navigation. He also competes and coaches powerlifting in the Pittsburgh area.
Brian
Fairservice
Software Engineer
Brian is our software wizard extraordinaire, bringing a wealth of experience. Outside of work, you'll find him writing compilers, conquering the great outdoors, or hanging out with his feline friends.
JARED
HAND
Robotics Software Engineer
Looking to apply his background in physics here at KEF, Jared helps out with various projects, including machine learning and guidance software development. In his free time, Jared enjoys reading, baking bread, and hanging out with his dog Phelan.
Joby
Office Dog and a Good Boy
Joby is a core team member focused on keeping the entire team in line with their spirits lifted. Joby stuns in cold weather sweaters and likes treats, pets, and walks.
causes & groups
KEF invests time and money supporting causes that we believe will increase access to high-quality educational opportunities and jobs, while inspiring young people to nurture their interest in robotics and entrepreneurship. We focus especially on giving back to our nearest neighbors, with an eye towards developing a talent base that we can, hopefully, someday work with.
Obama Academy Robotics Club
KEF founded and supports the OARC, a club dedicated to support STEM education at Obama Academy, a Pittsburgh-Area public school.
KEF has supported the GBC since 2020 by providing technical internships to high school students interested in robotics and engineering.