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“You really need to develop a whole product solution—hardware, software, UI, interfaces, and process redesign—with a consideration for what problem you are really trying to solve.” —Aldo Zini
Getting large teams of robots to collaborate is the work of Dr Regis Vincent, who envisions applications that include mapping nuclear contamination.
What obstacles remain for robots to work alongside humans in industrial settings, and how far have we come in eliminating those challenges? Dr. Roland Menassa answers these and other questions in his presentation at the RoboBusiness summit November 2-3 in Boston.
John Reid, director of Product Technology and Innovation at Moline Technology Innovation Center, a part of John Deere’s Global Technology Innovation Network, discusses how his company’s technologies will help feed the world’s billions.
Mark Ingebretsen
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iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT) announced it has been awarded a $13.5 million Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract from the US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Indian Head, Md.
Under the terms of the contract, any service could order up to the full $13.5 million value in PackBot MTRS (Man Transportable Robotic System) robots, spare parts, accessories, engineering enhancements, configuration management, training and repair services. All work under the contract is set to be completed by July 2010.
The PackBot MTRS robot gives Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians the ability to detect, identify and disable explosive devices from safe distances. It is customized for NAVSEA and is modeled after the battle-tested iRobot PackBot 500 with EOD Kit.
“I am pleased that NAVSEA is continuing to invest heavily in robotic technology,” said Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots. “Improvised explosive devices remain one of the biggest threats to our troops overseas. NAVSEA, and the military as a whole, is keenly aware of the role robots are playing to minimize the damage caused by these devices. Robots like the PackBot MTRS are keeping our sons and daughters safer as they fight to protect those of us back home. Simply put, these robots are saving lives.”
iRobot has delivered more than 2,500 PackBot robots that make a difference every day by conducting dangerous missions that keep warfighters out of harm’s way.
About iRobot Corp.
iRobot designs and builds robots that make a difference. The company’s home robots help people with smarter ways to clean, and its government and industrial robots protect those in harm’s way. iRobot’s consumer and military robots feature iRobot AWARE® robot intelligence systems, proprietary technology incorporating advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. For more information about iRobot, please visit http://www.irobot.com.
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