Army orders more iRobot battlefield robots

Bedford's iRobot Corp. said it has received a $16.8 million order from the US Army for more of the company's battlefield robots.

The order "marks the first purchase of iRobot's advanced PackBot 510 series under an existing $200 million" contract, said iRobot, which added that the PackBot 510 features "advanced robotic capabilities."

"The robot provides soldiers with a tool to identify and dispose of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), roadside bombs, and other unexploded ordnance while keeping them at safe distances," the press release said.

The photo that appears with this post was provided by iRobot at an earlier date.

To read iRobot's press release, please click here.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)