iRobot Corporation, a company that designs and builds industrial, consumer and military robots, announced that it has received an order worth $6.1 million from the U.S. Army for the delivery of spare parts for company’s PackBot line of mobile robots.

 

PackBot mobile robots from iRobot are multi-mission tactical robots that are capable of identifying and neutralizing improvised explosive devices. These robots can be used in reconnaissance and route clearance missions as well.

 

Officials at iRobot said that the current order is from U.S. Army program executive office for simulation, training and instrumentation. Spare parts ordered under the new contract include manipulator kits, battery packs, radios, antennas and hand controllers.

 

“The iRobot PackBot is an extremely rugged robot, one that is built to endure the harsh elements of today’s battlefield,” said Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots, in a statement “As these robots are put through their paces, it is important to ensure that they are properly maintained. We are pleased to be providing these parts to the Army so that existing PackBots can continue working alongside our troops.”

 

It is the twelfth order under an existing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract, which is worth $200 million. The total current contract value is said to be approximately $30 million, according to company officials.

 

Well-known for military use, iRobot’s PackBot robot can easily climb stairs, roll over rubble as well as navigate narrow, twisting passages. It can quickly penetrate collapsed building, sewers, tunnels, railroad cars, inaccessible places and dangerous places, officials said.

 

PackBot robot’s patented mobility platform features dual QuickFlip track articulations. Its ToughTrac polymer tracks eject debris and can move the robot over all surfaces. It can even climb grades up to 60 degrees and can travel at speeds of up to 5.8 miles per hour. Advanced electronics enhances payload integration capabilities. The eight payload ports are equipped with USB, Ethernet, power and video channels.

 

Till date, iRobot has delivered over 2,500 PackBot robots, according to company officials.

 

Dyer further added: “With our recent contract announcements, as of the end of August, we have 90 percent visibility of our Government and Industrial Robots division’s annual revenue contemplated by our full-year financial expectations.”

 

In addition, PackBot robots also display real-time video, audio and other sensor readings, so that the operator can operate the robot at a safe distance. The operator can also view the 2-D and 3-D image of the robot in the control panel.

According to iRobot, its home robots help people with smarter ways to clean, whereas the government and industrial robots protect those in harm’s way. The consumer and military robots feature company’s AWARE robot intelligence systems, a proprietary technology incorporating advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence.