Detroit Month of Design: Designing an Autonomous Robotic Pick-up Platform - Panel Discussion
In addition to showcasing the design of our Autonomous Robotic Pickup Platform at the Detroit Month of Design Festival, the Orange Sparkle Ball team will host an in-depth panel discussion highlighting the importance of city government and community partnerships in successful technology piloting.
Panelists will feature local technology, community, and government partners:
Michael Hale — Panel Facilitator: Michael L. Hale Jr. is the Project Manager for the Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) at the City of Detroit, where he oversees the Detroit MODES initiative, a USDOT SMART Grant-funded project. With a focus on enhancing road safety and promoting transportation equity through advanced technologies, Michael collaborates with various stakeholders to position Detroit as a leader in smart city development. He is passionate about fostering economic growth and sustainability, and is dedicated to educating the community on the transformative potential of mobility innovations.
Bre Williamson — Panelist: Bre Williamson, a North Corktown resident of nine years, is passionate about community, strategy, and design. Originally from Los Angeles, she leverages her background in investment management and business development to support small organizations through her company, Mindfully Designed. As Board President of the North Corktown Neighborhood Association, she has focused on raising the tide for all North Corktown neighbors by launching the Home Repair Program and securing funding for a Neighborhood Food Program. With a keen interest in helping North Corktown become a model for the neighborhood of the future that embraces technology without alienating legacy neighbors.
Brittanie Dabney — Panelist: Brittanie is an environmental scientist with over 10 years of experience in studying environmental contamination and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biology & Urban Sustainability. As the CEO and co-founder of Ecosphere Organics, she leads efforts to create innovative solutions for converting food and organic waste into sustainable raw materials, while also driving the company's vision and expanding partnerships. Her work combines research, community outreach, and interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex environmental challenges. Brittanie leverages her expertise in environment, sustainability, and data analytics to develop and implement effective solutions focused on organic waste.
Arnold Kadiu — Panelist: Arnold Kadiu is the founder and CEO of Intermode, a company specializing in building mobile robots for diverse applications, has successfully deployed their robots in active commercial operations across several US cities. Prior to establishing Intermode, Kadiu graduated from the University of Michigan, where he dedicated his time to building solar cars. His professional journey continued at Ford, where he initially engaged in research related to next-generation electric and autonomous vehicles, earning multiple patents for his groundbreaking work. Subsequently, Kadiu transitioned to Ford's mobility incubator, where he played a pivotal role in launching new programs and projects within the company.
Hannah Ranieri — Panelist: Hannah Ranieri is an Innovation Strategist at Orange Sparkle Ball where she works to launch and accelerate new initiatives within organizations across the corporate, academic, and government spheres. She’s passionate about helping clients proactively prepare for the impact of emerging trends on their business models through iterative piloting. The foundation for this approach is based on understanding the needs and pain points of her clients, using research and benchmarking to develop data-driven, user-centered strategies.
