Dr. Nicholas Wettels is an accomplished robotics entrepreneur, machine learning expert, engineering executive, and retired U.S. Navy Commander whose career has been dedicated to advancing the intersection of intelligent software and physical systems. With more than twenty-five years of professional experience spanning robotics, artificial intelligence, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and government research, he has established himself as a recognized leader in developing technologies that bridge the gap between human capability and machine autonomy. Throughout his career, Nicholas has combined deep technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision, creating innovative companies, leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations, and developing next-generation robotic systems that solve complex real-world challenges.
Nicholas earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from Tulane University before completing a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and both a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California. His doctoral research focused on biomimetic tactile sensing for robotic grip control, a pioneering area of research funded through a prestigious NASA Graduate Student Research Fellowship at Johnson Space Center. That work laid the foundation for a career devoted to giving machines the ability to perceive and manipulate the physical world with human-like precision and sensitivity. His education was further strengthened through graduate studies in technology commercialization and Joint Professional Military Education, reflecting an uncommon combination of scientific excellence, business acumen, and strategic leadership.
Following the completion of his doctorate, Nicholas joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he conducted postdoctoral research developing gecko-inspired robotic grippers for the International Space Station and autonomous navigation software for advanced robotic systems. His work contributed to technologies designed for satellite servicing and space maintenance, reinforcing his reputation as an innovator capable of solving highly technical engineering problems in demanding environments. His experience supporting NASA and defense initiatives established a strong foundation for future leadership across both commercial and government sectors while demonstrating his ability to translate cutting-edge research into operational technologies.
Entrepreneurship has been a defining characteristic of Nicholas’s career. In 2008, he co-founded SynTouch, a University of Southern California spinout that commercialized advanced tactile sensing technologies for robotic and prosthetic hands. Serving as Chief Operating Officer, he led technical strategy, research planning, proposal development, and daily business operations while securing multiple Small Business Innovation Research grants from organizations including DARPA, NASA, NIH, and the National Science Foundation. His success in securing government research funding and transforming laboratory discoveries into commercial products demonstrated both technical credibility and disciplined operational leadership.
Building upon that success, Nicholas founded Perception Robotics, where he served as Chief Executive Officer and led the development of bio-inspired robotic gripping systems for industrial automation. Under his leadership, the company expanded from a startup with a single employee into a twenty-person organization that ultimately merged into OnRobot following approximately twenty million dollars in capital investment. During this period, he directed the commercial development of multiple robotic gripper technologies, including tactile, magnetic, and gecko-inspired systems that continue to influence industrial automation. Today, as Chief Executive Officer of Sensate Robotics, he is pioneering the integration of tactile sensing with computer vision, creating robotic systems capable of manipulating objects with unprecedented precision while focusing on automation for tasks that are dull, dirty, and dangerous.
In parallel with his entrepreneurial pursuits, Nicholas has built an impressive career supporting national security and advanced government research. As a senior machine learning engineer and program manager, he has led classified Department of Defense and Intelligence Community programs while managing multidisciplinary engineering teams responsible for sophisticated machine learning and synthetic aperture radar solutions. His ability to regularly brief senior government leaders, oversee complex technical programs, and manage mission-critical initiatives reflects a leadership style built upon accountability, technical rigor, and strategic execution. His active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance with polygraph further underscores the trust placed in his judgment and professional integrity.
Nicholas also dedicated more than two decades of service to the United States Navy, retiring as a Commander after distinguished active-duty and reserve careers. His military leadership included assignments involving submarine operations, autonomous systems research, anti-submarine warfare, unmanned technologies, and collaboration with international allies. Throughout his naval career, he successfully balanced military leadership with entrepreneurship and academic research, bringing disciplined decision-making and mission-focused execution to every organization he has served. This unique combination of military experience and commercial innovation enables him to evaluate challenges from both strategic and operational perspectives.
Beyond executive leadership, Nicholas remains deeply committed to advancing robotics education and research. As an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California, he has taught both undergraduate and graduate engineering courses while mentoring future innovators and entrepreneurs. His scholarly contributions include numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, conference publications, invited presentations, and multiple patents involving tactile sensing, robotic manipulation, electroadhesion, machine learning, and advanced gripping technologies. His work has earned significant industry recognition, including the IEEE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Innovator Award, NASA Graduate Research Fellowship, and multiple Navy Commendation Medals, reflecting sustained excellence across academia, government service, and commercial innovation.
Nicholas believes society is entering a transformational era in which artificial intelligence must move beyond software into physical systems capable of interacting safely and intelligently with the real world. His vision centers on combining large language models, machine learning, robotics, tactile sensing, and autonomous decision-making to create a new generation of intelligent machines that improve manufacturing, agriculture, aerospace, defense, and government operations. Having founded multiple technology companies, secured significant research funding, led highly technical engineering organizations, and successfully commercialized breakthrough innovations, he is uniquely positioned to help boards navigate emerging technologies while balancing innovation, governance, operational execution, and long-term strategic growth. He seeks board service because he believes he has reached a point in his career where decades of hard-earned experience can help other organizations successfully navigate technological transformation while building lasting competitive advantage.
Character:
Nicholas leads with integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to advancing technologies that improve society. His military service, entrepreneurial perseverance, and dedication to mentoring future engineers demonstrate a consistent willingness to serve others while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Knowledge:
He possesses exceptional expertise across robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, sensing technologies, engineering management, and government contracting. His rare combination of academic research, commercialization experience, and operational leadership allows him to translate emerging technologies into practical business solutions.
Strategic:
Nicholas consistently identifies opportunities where innovation can solve meaningful operational challenges while creating sustainable competitive advantages. His experience founding companies, securing research funding, managing classified programs, and commercializing advanced technologies reflects a disciplined strategic mindset focused on long-term value creation.
Communication:
Effectively communicating highly technical concepts to engineers, executives, investors, government agencies, and academic audiences alike. His experience teaching at the university level, briefing senior military and government leaders, and leading multidisciplinary organizations enables him to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and build alignment across diverse stakeholders.
