U.S. Army orders robot spares

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BEDFORD, Mass., May 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has ordered spares for tactical robots it uses in reconnaissance, route clearance, hazardous materials detection and bomb disposal operations.

Massachusetts company iRobot Corp. said the orders it received from the Army's Robotic Systems Joint Program Office for its 510 PackBot robot spares is worth $6 million.

Included in the orders are operator control units, manipulator arms and radios.

"Over the course of the past decade, PackBot has proven its worth as a life-saving tool in areas of conflict and for emergency response," said Tim Trainer, interim general manager of iRobot's Defense and Security business unit.

"These robots represent a safer, more effective and more efficient way to conduct dangerous operations both on and off the battlefield.

"We believe that this technology is an important piece of the military's future and are pleased that the Army continues to invest in its current fleet of robots."

The company said all deliveries under the contracts will be completed by the end of November.