iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive

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,

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – Successful Missions

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).

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – RedOwl Advanced Sniper Detection System

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.

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – Personnel Display

The iRobot PackBot personnel display.

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – PackBot with EOD Kit

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 Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – PackBot Camera and Lights

iRobot PackBot camera and lights.

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – PackBot Grippers

iRobot PackBot grippers.

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – iRobot FCS SUGV

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.

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – iRobots Joe Dyer

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.

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – Video-Game-Style Hand Controller

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.

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – Tom Frost Demonstrates Hand Controller

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

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – PackBot 510 Series with EOD

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

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – iRobot Warrior with EOD Kit

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.

iRobot Takes Military Bots for a Test Drive – Warrior Ideal for EOD, Firefighting

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