Nov. 8--Roboticist Todd Jochem's firm develops software for unmanned vehicles mostly for U.S.-based customers and government agencies. But today he's hoping to attract attention from a much larger Israeli firm.

Cranberry-based Applied Perception is one of about 30 local robotics firms taking part in meetings today and tomorrow with a handful of their Israeli counterparts. The sessions at the Technology Collaborative's North Side offices are meant to spark a dialogue about possible partnerships between Pittsburgh's burgeoning robotics industry and Israel's well-established one.

At least four Israel-based robotics firms, including Haifa-based Elbit Systems and ALM-Liamm, of Tel Aviv, are expected to attend.

"The companies that are coming are leaders in defense robotics," said Elliot Dater, an attorney at Downtown law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius, who represents several Israeli firms doing business in the United States.

The Israeli industry, he said, could benefit from the research and robotics technology based in Pittsburgh because of this region's strength in unmanned ground vehicles. Israel's advantage, he added, is in unmanned air vehicles. The unmanned vehicles are used by the military for reconnaissance and to perform tasks deemed too dangerous for humans.

"[The Israelis] have historically been a leader," said William Thomasmeyer, president of the National Center for Defense Robotics, which is affiliated with the Technology Collaborative, an economic development group. The goals of the conference, according to organizers, are threefold: offer local firms a chance to gain access to the strong Israeli defense market; discuss possible collaborations and joint ventures; and allow the Israelis to peruse local robotics technology.

The meeting evolved from an Israeli economic development conference that Mr. Dater invited Mr. Thomasmeyer to participate in. "While I was there, I was able to meet some of the Israeli companies and find out their interest in this [robotics] field," Mr. Thomasmeyer said. Ultimately, partnerships and deals will have to happen organically, added Mr. Dater.

The first day of the conference will be spent with the companies making presentations; the second day, executives will meet one-on-one to discuss business opportunities.

Dr. Jochem said he didn't know when or if partnerships would be formed, but he expected the Israeli firms to have a need for the technology that Applied Perception has developed.

"This region is a world leader for ground vehicle technology. And it'll be great for them to sell in the U.S., the largest market in the world," he said