Dave Petrosky

CEO | RedZone Robotics

Dave Petrosky has been the CEO of RedZone Robotics since 2020.  RedZone was founded in 1987 to design and build robots for the nuclear industry.  Its first product was Pioneer, a small remotely operated bull-dozer style robot, deployed at Chernobyl to assist with inspection and remediation efforts.  After 15 years, the company pivoted to focus on assessment of infrastructure in the wastewater industry.

Under Dave’s direction, the company clearly defined and communicated its customer value proposition and made substantial investments in product development. As a result of these initiatives, RedZone has tripled in size during the last five years.

Prior to joining RedZone, Dave held various operational, financial and strategic planning roles in several industries.  Dave has experience in the healthcare, aerospace, real estate and retail industries.   After starting his career as a CPA, Dave has worked both for Fortune 500 companies as well as private equity owned enterprises.  Dave holds a degree in Accounting from Bucknell University and a Master’s degree in Electronic Commerce from Carnegie Mellon University.

All Sessions by Dave Petrosky

May 27, 2026

Robotics Commercialization: Beyond the Breakthrough
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Room 253 ABC

The robotics industry is entering a new era where success depends not just on innovation but on the ability to scale and deploy systems in real-world environments. While the breakthrough happens in the lab, the business happens post-design across an increasingly unpredictable public infrastructure. This panel assembles robotics industry leaders to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation and commercial viability, discussing challenges and opportunities.

Attendees can expect a deep dive into the operational "valley of death" and the strategies used to cross it. Key insights include:

  • The Physical AI Frontier: How the convergence of generative models and robotics is shortening development cycles—and where it still hits a wall
  • The Scaling Playbook: Hard-won lessons on transitioning from custom-built prototypes to high-volume manufacturing without sacrificing reliability
  • Infrastructure & Supply Chain Readiness: Navigating the global hardware squeeze and ensuring your tech stack is compatible with legacy systems
  • Winning the Trust of the End-User: Strategies for overcoming automation anxiety and demonstrating clear ROI to skeptical customers
  • The Regulatory Landscape: Preparing for the shifting safety standards and compliance requirements that come with large-scale deployment

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Dave Petrosky