David Fries is an American scientist at the Institute for Human Machine Cognition,[2] researcher, professor, entrepreneur[3][4] and author in the fields of advanced robotics and ocean sensors.
[5] Fries’ research includes the development of micro-systems and robotics/automation for sensing applications, advanced sensor development (e.g. chemical, physical and biological probes technologies) and mobile robotic systems for field applications.
His research in ocean testing and sensing include sonar mapping of a Pensacola estuary, along with collecting mass spectrometer data to inform the City of Pensacola of its Bayou's water quality.
[7] While at the University of South Florida, Fries developed underwater autonomous vehicle technologies to test water quality of the St. Petersburg, FL waterways and tweet publicly, real-time water composition updates.
In 2016, his technical writings on Non-Acoustic Sensors, in partnership with William Kirkwood, were included in the “Springer Handbook of Ocean Engineering”[10] He holds more than 35 U.S. patents, 13 of which have been licensed to seven separate companies.