BEDFORD, Mass., Oct. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has contracted iRobot Corp. to develop a danger zone evaluation robot technology to support military units and SWAT teams.
Massachusetts-based iRobot received the research and development contract from the Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center. Under the $3.75 million deal, iRobot will continue development of its Warrior 700 platform, a robot capable of reaching inaccessible areas in order to supply real-time video, audio and sensor data for countering threats.
Officials say as part of the contract, iRobot will deliver two of the ruggedized Warrior units featuring new digital technologies and a chassis capable of supporting up to 150 pounds for deployment with military and SWAT units in the field.
"We are confident that the iRobot Warrior will secure a strong foothold within infantry, first responders and combat engineers," Joe Dyer, iRobot government and industrial robots president, said in a statement.
"The Warrior is another example of iRobot's product line expansion, which continues to evolve as the need for unmanned ground vehicles grows worldwide."
