US Army awards robot contract

February 2008 News

iRobot Corporation has been awarded the xBot contract, a US$286 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract from the US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation, on behalf of the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office. Under the terms of the contract, the army could order up to 3000 military robots, spare parts, training and repair services over the next five years.

The award marks a turning point in the way the army uses robots in combat, which until now have been deployed in limited numbers only to explosive ordnance device (EOD) specialists. With this award, the army broadens the deployment of robots in larger scale to general infantry forces for a variety of critical missions in addition to EOD.

iRobot was selected to fulfil the contract as the lowest priced, technically qualified bidder deemed able to deliver as a responsible contractor. iRobot's winning xBot prototype robot is based closely on the combat-proven iRobot PackBot military robot platform. xBot is a generic name, and the robots delivered to forces under the contract will be named iRobot PackBot 510 with FasTac Kit. These robots are smaller and lighter than the iRobot PackBot 510, with a robust gripper and an observation mast equipped with a low-light-capable zoom camera.

iRobot has delivered more than 1200 PackBot robots, which are at work conducting dangerous missions while war fighters remain out of harm's way.

For more information contact iRobot Corporation, www.irobot.com

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