iRobot Corp. [IRBT] yesterday said it received a $7.7 million order from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for robot upgrades.
The order calls for iRobot Aware® 2 software upgrades and improvements and the delivery of advanced sensor suites for 248 fielded Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) MK 1 MOD 1 robots.
The MTRS MK 1 MOD 1 is modeled after the iRobot 510 PackBot®. The company expects to complete these deliveries by November.
Sensor suites include the iWARVVS (iRobot Wide-Angle Robot Vehicle Vision System) camera, thermal camera and iRobot’s User Assist Package (UAP). These capabilities speed up operations and reduce workload for the operator, letting them focus on successful completion of the mission.
The cameras provide greater situational awareness through increased fields of view and imaging in low light environments. iRobot’s UAP adds improvements to the operator control unit, GPS mapping and critical semi-autonomous features to 510 PackBot, including self-righting, retro-traverse and heading hold.
NAVSEA is the acquisition command for the order, and many of the upgraded robots will be used by the Army, a spokesman said. Other 510 PackBots equipped with iRobot’s Aware 2 software may also receive these upgrades in the future as funding becomes available.
“iRobot is pleased the Navy is continuing to invest in its current fleet of robots,” said Tim Trainer, interim general manager of iRobot’s Defense & Security business unit. “These upgrades will provide our troops with some of the most advanced, life-saving robotic technologies available today. iRobot’s UAP improves mission effectiveness while reducing workload and further minimizing operator exposure to dangerous environments.”
iRobot has delivered more than 4,500 robots to military and civil defense forces worldwide.