Army orders PackBot tech from iRobot

BEDFORD, Mass., May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has placed an order for iRobot Corp.'s PackBot 510s as part of an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract.

Massachusetts-based iRobot received the order from the Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. Under the $16.8 million deal, iRobot will provide its PackBot 510 systems to support improvised explosive device route-clearance operations.

Officials said the widely deployed PackBot technology is designed to detect and eliminate IED threats in combat zones while keeping soldiers at safe distances.

"The PackBot 510 provides a new level of capability and modularity in support of the war fighter," Joe Dyer, iRobot Government and Industrial Robots president, said in a statement.

"These robots are battle-tested and are saving lives by giving our troops separation from many of the dangers found on the battlefield."