IRobot gets R&D contract for new battlefield robots

(File photo: Bill Greene/Globe staff)

Bedford's iRobot Corp. said today that it has received a $3.75 million research-and-development contract for the next generation of battlefield robots.

The contract is from the US Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center, the nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology, and work under this contract will result in the delivery of two iRobot Warrior 700 platforms, the company said.

(The 2006 file photo accompanying this story shows one of the company's unmanned ground surveillance robots.)

IRobot said in a press release: "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."

Besides military robots, the company makes a line of robotic consumer products that will vacuum a room or clean a swimming pool.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)