iRobot Corp. announced that the company has received a $3.75 million research and development contract from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), the nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology.

Work under this contract will result in the delivery of two iRobot Warrior 700 platforms.

A powerful and rugged robot, the iRobot Warrior can perform a variety of critical missions such as evaluating danger zones and inaccessible areas, providing real-time video, audio and sensor readings to warfighters and SWAT teams. The robot will feature an advanced digital architecture and a multi-mission chassis that supports up to 150-pound (68 kg) payloads.

"We are confident that the iRobot Warrior will secure a strong foothold within infantry, first responders and combat engineers," - said Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots. “The Warrior is another example of iRobot’s product line expansion, which continues to evolve as the need for unmanned ground vehicles grows worldwide."

iRobot Warrior’s unique payload positioning system allows radical changes in the robot’s center of gravity for unprecedented mobility in rough terrain, while still suitable for use in an urban environment. The first production units of iRobot Warrior will be available for purchase in the third quarter of 2009.

iRobot has delivered more than 1,900 PackBot robots that make a difference everyday by conducting dangerous missions that keep first responders and warfighters out of harm's way.

The Shephard Group
12.10.2008