iRobot gains $8.8 million U.S. military order for PackBot robots

BURLINGTON, Mass., 24 Oct. 2007.iRobot Corp. received a delivery order totaling $8.8 million from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), on behalf of the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. This order for 40 iRobot PackBot robots, plus spare parts and equipment, brings total orders to date from PEO STRI to $45 million. iRobot expects to complete delivery by the end of June 2008.

PEO STRI placed this order for a range of iRobot systems, including PackBot with ICx Fido Kit as well as the Army's first orders for the PackBot 510 robot and more than 300 new high-performance radios that will be retrofitted onto existing iRobot PackBots in theater. These radios increase the operational range and flexibility of the PackBot systems to achieve mission success in a wider range of tactical environments than previously possible. The robots will ship with iRobot's new game-style hand controllers for faster training and easier operation in the field.