iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive

The remains of an iRobot PackBot EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) named ‘Scooby Doo’ that was destroyed on its 19th mission in Iraq. The owner shipped the destroyed robot’s pieces back to the United States hoping that the unit could be repaired. However,

Seen written on one of Scooby Doo’s interior components is a list of mission successes. They include destroying one UXO (unexploded ordnance), 17 IED (improvised explosive devices) and 1 VBIED (vehicle borne improvised explosive device).

An iRobot PackBot with the RedOwl Advanced Sniper Detection System, which can detect and locate snipers, mortars and other acoustic signatures on the battlefield, is seen in action.

The iRobot PackBot personnel display.

PackBot Program Manager Tom Frost briefs the audience on the capabilities of the iRobot PackBot with EOD Kit. This robot helps soldiers and first responders to detect, disable and disarm IEDs.

iRobot PackBot camera and lights.

iRobot PackBot grippers.

Rob Smith, director of marketing for iRobot, briefs the audience on the iRobot FCS (Future Combat Systems) SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle), which weighs less than 30 pounds and is used primarily for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Retired Vice Adm. Joe Dyer, president of the Government and Industrial Robots Division at iRobot, addresses the audience at the first-ever iRobot Demo Day and Test Drive Event at the National Press Club on June 6 in Washington, D.C.

An iRobot operator uses a COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) hand controller, based on PlayStation/Xbox technology, connected to a PCC (personal control console) to operate robot movement.

PackBot Program Manager Tom Frost uses a COTS hand controller to operate robot movement.

The life-saving iRobot PackBot 510 Series with EOD demonstrates its strength by lifting a 30-pound, 105-mm shell, making it twice as strong as the previous model. The 510 also features iRobot’s newest hand controller innovation: a video-game-style control

The prototype 250-pound iRobot Warrior with EOD Kit is seen lifting a 155-mm shell. The Warrior can operate at speeds up to 15 mph sustained and its arm can lift 1.5 times its weight.

The iRobot Warrior with EOD is ideal for the toughest field missions, such as explosive ordnance disposal, battlefield casualty extraction and firefighting.