Combat-Proven Robot Included in Military History Exhibition
WASHINGTON, <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />D.C., Nov. 10, 2004 - iRobot Corp., the world's leading manufacturer of mobile robots, today announced that its PackBot® robot will be displayed in a new exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Titled "The Price of Freedom: Americans at War," the 18,200 square-foot exhibit will feature only one robot - PackBot - which will be included in the section focusing on the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Dozens of PackBots have been used in thousands of military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq to search potentially hostile caves and buildings for terrorists and to disarm road-side bombs and other improvised explosive devices.
"The Price of Freedom" is a permanent exhibition that surveys the history of the U.S. military from the Colonial era to the present and will feature original objects, first person accounts, video presentations and interactive experiences. The exhibit opens on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2004. For more information, please visit http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory.
"The Price of Freedom exhibition is an awe-inspiring testament to the fortitude and resolve of the U.S. military," said Helen Greiner, chairman and co-founder of iRobot. "iRobot is deeply committed to developing robots that handle dangerous military tasks and help keep soldiers out of harm's way. PackBot has been enormously effective in Afghanistan and Iraq, and iRobot is honored for it to be included in such an important survey of our nation's history."
iRobot's PackBot is the new standard in unmanned reconnaissance and tactical robots. It is a rugged, man-portable robot that can be hand-carried and deployed by a single soldier. PackBot offers unprecedented mobility and durability - it can be thrown into a building through a window, climb stairs, drop 20 feet and still function properly. The robot was originally developed under the Tactical Mobile Robotics program, which was sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
About iRobot Corp.
iRobot has a long commitment to building robotic products that make living safer and easier for people in many walks of life. Over the past 14 years, iRobot has developed and built innovative products for the government, law enforcement, and industrial cleaning industries, as well as the popular line of Roomba? robotic floorvacs for the consumer marketplace. In 2003, co-founders Helen Greiner and Colin Angle were named Ernst & Young regional Entrepreneurs of the Year for their innovative work in technology. In 2004, iRobot's talent base grew by over 40 percent and the company will continue to hire outstanding talent to meet its business plan. For employment opportunities and other information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.