RRSD Awards

An Overview of other RRSD Awards and past recipients

Honors and Awards

The Robotic and Remote Systems Division (RRSD) presents a variety of awards and scholarships at its biennial awards luncheon held during the RRSD Topical Meeting or as the RRSD Executive Committee decides. The awards honor specific contributions to the field of robotics and remote systems for hazardous environments. If you are interested in serving on the RRSD Honors and Awards Committee or in nominating a candidate for an award, please contact the RRSD Honors and Awards Committee Chair.

RRSD Honors and Awards

Ray Goertz Award
Distinguished Service Excellence Award
Technical Excellence Award
Outstanding Young Member Award
Lifetime Achievement
RRSD Historical Site Award
Best Paper Award
Executive Committee Service Award
Chair Service Award

The Ray Goertz Award

The Ray Goertz award was established in 1985 to recognize and honor Robotics and Remote Systems Division (RRSD) members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of remote technology. It honors the late Raymond C. Goertz for his lifetime contribution to the advancement of remote handling systems and for his development of the master-slave manipulator. Starting with the planning of the first formal informational exchange meeting held in 1951, Ray Goertz was also instrumental in the founding of the Robotics and Remote Systems Division, formerly known as Remote Systems Technology Division (RSTD).

More information on the Ray Goertz award can be found on its information page.

Distinguished Service Excellence Award

The Distinguished Service Excellence Award recognizes outstanding service to the division through running of the RRSD topical conference, efforts to spread the message of the RRSD, or other valuable action in support of the division. This award recognizes significant achievement by a member of the ANS RRSD. This award is presented biennially at the RRSD Topical Meeting or as the RRSD Executive Committee decides. Nominations can be submitted at any time and are made by submitting a completed Nomination Form. The form includes standard information and up to a 500 word summary explaining the achievement of the nominee.

Technical Excellence Award

The Technical Excellence Award recognizes major accomplishments in the field of robotics and remote systems for hazardous environments. This award recognizes significant achievement by a member of the ANS RRSD. This award is presented biennially at the RRSD Topical Meeting or as the RRSD Executive Committee decides. Nominations can be submitted at any time and are made by submitting a completed Nomination Form. The form includes standard information and up to a 500 word summary explaining the achievement of the nominee.

Outstanding Young Member Award

This award recognizes the significant achievement of a young member with under 5 years of membership and under 35 years of age. Their achievement may include outstanding service in the running of the RRSD topical conference, efforts to spread the message of the RRSD, or for major accomplishments in the field of robotics and remote systems for hazardous environments. This award is presented annually to an ANS RRSD member at the RRSD Topical Meeting or as the RRSD Executive Committee decides. Nominations can be submitted at any time and are made by submitting a completed Nomination Form. The form includes standard information and up to a 500 word summary explaining the achievement of the nominee.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes members who have reached the 25 year mark in membership. The 25-year membership demonstrates professional dedication to the division and the society. This award is presented biennially at the RRSD Topical Meeting Luncheon or at the Summer RRSD Executive Committee Meeting. The 25 years is cumulative and does not have to be served consecutively.

RRSD Historical Site Award

This award recognizes a specific location or facility for its significance to the development of robotics and remote systems for hazardous environments. This award includes a bronze plaque to be placed at the location or facility recognized. Nominations can be submitted at any time and are made by submitting a completed Historical Site Nomination Form. The form includes standard information and up to a 500 word summary explaining the achievement of the nominated site.

Best Paper Award

This award recognizes the best paper at the robotic and remote systems topical. The best paper is selected by a committee formed by the RRSD topical committee. The award will be presented at the RRSD Topical Meeting. The best paper will also be featured in the ANS RRSD newsletter and considered for possible inclusion in one of the ANS publications.

Executive Committee Service Award

This award recognizes contributions to RRSD through election and service on the RRSD Executive Committee. This award is presented annually to outgoing members of the RRSD Executive Committee at the Summer RRSD Executive Committee Meeting. Executive Committee members serve the division from one to three year terms with possible re-election lengthening their terms to six years.

Chair Service Award

This award recognizes the outgoing chair for leading the division. This award is presented annually at the Summer RRSD Executive Committee Meeting. The outgoing chair serves the division for a minimum of four years in elected leadership positions and regularly serves on the committee in an at-large elected position for several years before being serving in the leadership capacities of the executive committee.