Dr. Richard R Fletcher

Research ecompasses the design of sensor elements, RFID tags, antennas, and sensing electronics. In many instances, these elements may be integrated or embedded as part of other design elements such as the mechanical structure, display, or packaging materials. Early work on wireless sensing and RFID has been a traditional part of the Media Lab research consortium called Things That Think.

A significant percentage of MIT students -- and especially Media Lab students -- go on to start their own company. This ecosystem of high-tech small-businesses and design firms play an important role in early stage technology developments as well as long-term technology transfer to our large sponsor companies. Despite the Dot-Com bust at the turn of the century, the entrepreneurial climate at MIT remains vibrant with ventures in many new areas. The Media Lab -- and MIT as a whole -- was one of the first engineering schools in the US to emphasize the needs of developing countries and also view this as an entrepreneurial intiative (social ventures).

Since 2000,Fletcher has founded 5 business ventures:
(*) Ashametrics, Inc. - A company providing sensors and software tools for researchers working in Mobile Health.
(*) TagSense, Inc. - A boutique engineering development firm specializing in RFID and wireless sensor technology.
(*) AgileTag, Inc. - A product company that sells RFID systems designed for item-level tracking.
(*) First Mile Solutions, LLC -- A provider of wireless infrastructure and communications hardware for developing countries.
(*) United Villages, LLC -- A provider of data, voice, and video services for developing countries.