iRobot delivers small, all-seeing robot to US military
- By Defense Systems Staff
- Mar 06, 2012
iRobot has received a $1.5 million order funded by the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization for more than 100 of the company’s model 110 FirstLook robots. All robots under this order have been delivered and will take part in an operational assessment this spring,
the company said. FirstLook is a small throwable robot that can be used for a wide range of infantry and special operations missions, including building clearing, raids and other close-in scenarios. With four built-in cameras, FirstLook provides multidirection situational awareness while keeping the operator out of harm’s way, the company also said.
FirstLook possesses a unique set of capabilities. Although the robot weighs just five pounds, it can survive 15-foot drops, overcome obstacles as high as seven inches and automatically rights itself after being flipped over. Future capabilities include two-way audio communication and digital mesh networking, which will allow multiple robots to relay radio communications over greater distances, the company added.