Quantum Signal

U-M Engineers Design High Tech Tools
"Establishing Quantum Signal in Ann Arbor was a reasoned, logical decision," explained Dr. Mitchell Rohde, Quantum Signal chief operating officer. "The immense pool of engineering talent produced through the University of Michigan, coupled with social environment here locally facilitates attracting and recruiting brilliant, forward-thinking employees."

Founded in 1999 as a spin out from the University of Michigan, Quantum Signal is a company at the cutting edge of today's hottest technologies. Focused on advanced research and development related to signal and image processing as well as advanced simulation, Quantum's algorithms and software lie at the heart of products and processes of their customers.

By focusing on emerging market sectors and products, including intelligent surveillance and video analysis, biometrics, robotics, and simulation, Quantum Signal has enjoyed tremendous success attracting customers from a wide array of public and private sector enterprises in areas ranging from homeland defense to automotive engineering to commercial video games. Quantum supplies expertise, testing, and data analysis in addition to core technologies that they develop and help incorporate into current and upcoming products on behalf of those customers.

"Ann Arbor's reputation as a hot bed for highly skilled employees is a definite advantage for Quantum Signal's efforts to attract interest from customers and business partners," Rohde added. "Plus, it's location near a major metropolitan airport makes it easy to accommodate visitors from out of the area."

"Quantum Signals' ability to take an existing product and maximize its value has earned it a quality reputation within its target markets," said Dr. Mitchell Rohde, Quantum Signal chief operating officer. "Quantum Signal clients benefit from expertise that ensures their products are cutting edge, delivering superior results and unparalleled potential."

Illustrating its value proposition, Rohde explains that Quantum Signal is, for instance, developing new control and navigation technology for unmanned robots on behalf of the U.S. Army.

"Current unmanned ground and aerial vehicles have complex, difficult-to-use interfaces that typically require more than one soldier to effectively operate," Rohde said. "By building new controllers that use unique vision algorithms, advanced fused navigation, and video-game style interfaces, an individual soldier can quickly and easily command one or a battalion of robots from a simple handheld computer."

It's not all robots and defense, however. Through its newly formed subsidiary, Reactor Zero, Quantum is working to build next generation tools and games that leverage the newest in algorithm, graphics, and sound technology. "The line between so-called 'serious' simulation and video games has been blurring for the past ten years," Rohde explained. "Having experienced gaming industry professionals on-staff has allowed Quantum to explore the cross-over between the two fields and bring unique technologies and talent to each."

"Ann Arbor's hidden gems reflect its quality of life, and unique local institutions such as the Michigan Theater and Vault of Midnight comics make it a place enthusiastic, creative people want to live and work," Rohde continued. "Compared to other metropolitan areas, Ann Arbor has cachet as both a great place to live and a technology center."

From start-up, to a small contract with one of Detroit's "Big 3" automakers, to its current success in homeland security, defense and cutting edge industries, Quantum Signal is an Ann Arbor success story that speaks to the region's highly skilled workforce, knowledge base and quality of living. Over the coming year, Quantum Signal will continue to draw on these strengths, as well as the talent and ingenuity of its team, to double its size and beyond!

"Ann Arbor's reputation as a hot bed for highly skilled employees is a definite advantage for Quantum Signal."

Dr. Mitchell Rohde
Chief Operating Officer
Quantum Signal