PackBot Continues to Keep Warfighters and Public Safety Professionals out of Harm’s Way
Bedford, Mass., October 29, 2008 – iRobot Corp. (Nasdaq: IRBT) today announced it has delivered 2,000 PackBot robots to the U.S. military, public safety organizations and a variety of international customers.
Born out of an initial research initiative with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 1998, the original PackBot has evolved with next-generation technology that puts combat-proven robots in the hands of soldiers today. The first PackBot created a new standard in unmanned reconnaissance and tactical robots and offered unprecedented mobility and durability.
“The delivery of our 2,000th PackBot further validates the continued demand for our PackBot line of robots and the immediate need for unmanned ground vehicles to assist our troops in theater,” said Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots. “Improvised explosive devices (IED) remain a significant threat to U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The PackBot allows personnel to safely neutralize roadside bombs, car bombs and other IEDs, and perform other life-threatening missions, helping to save soldiers’ lives.”
The PackBot 510 represents the latest in PackBot technology. It increases overall robot speed by 30 percent, travels over tough terrain of rocks and mud to speeds of up to 5.6 miles per hour and can support climbing grades of up to 60 degrees. Rugged, compact and mobile, the iRobot PackBot 510 robot enables warfighters and first responders to handle life-threatening tasks. Light enough for deployment by a single person, yet strong enough to carry 30 pounds, the PackBot 510 can identify, disrupt and dispose of explosives, as well as provide complete situational awareness of hazardous areas while personnel remains at a safe distance.
iRobot has delivered more than 2,000 PackBot robots that make a difference everyday by conducting dangerous missions that keep warfighters and public safety professionals out of harm's way.
About iRobot Corp.
iRobot designs and builds robots that make a difference. The company’s home robots help people with smarter ways to clean, and our government and industrial robots protect those in harm’s way. iRobot’s consumer and military robots feature iRobot AWARE™ robot intelligence systems, proprietary technology incorporating advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.
For iRobot Investors
Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, iRobot Corp.’s expectations concerning management's plans, objectives and strategies. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. iRobot Corp. undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by iRobot Corp., see the disclosure contained in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| Contact: | |
| Elise Caffrey Investor Relations iRobot Corp. (781) 430-3003 ecaffrey@irobot.com |
Nancy Smith Media Relations iRobot Corp. (781) 430-3323 nsmith@irobot.com |