iRobot Corp. announced it received an order of more than $2.8 million for 22 additional iRobot PackBot® EOD robots and spare parts from the German Bundeswehr (Federal Defense Force).

This is the second order from the German Federal Defense Force, which last year purchased 18 iRobot robots and has now exercised an option for 22 additional robots. These bomb-disposal robots will be used by German forces to identify and dispose of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as part of the country's efforts to combat terrorism. iRobot expects to deliver the robots in Q2 2007.

The German Federal Defense Force first ordered PackBot EOD robots after conducting a competitive market search followed by an intensive 18-month test. During user training, participating soldiers reported they were impressed by PackBot's lightweight design, ease of use, speed, sensitivity and maneuverability. The successful training was one of the reasons for exercising this follow-on order.

Military organizations are embracing robots as a better way to address life-threatening field operations, such as explosive ordnance disposal. PackBot has become a mission-critical tool for agencies worldwide as more countries choose to deploy the combat-proven PackBot rather than send soldiers into dangerous situations.

To date, iRobot has delivered more than 800 PackBot robots to a broad range of military and civilian customers around the world. The robots have performed tens of thousands of missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and are credited with saving soldiers' lives.

iRobot is a provider of robots that perform dull, dirty or dangerous missions in a better way. The company's proprietary technology, iRobot AWARE Robot Intelligence Systems, incorporates advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. This proprietary system enables iRobot to build behavior-based robots, including its family of consumer and military robots.

Sergyi Way
07.03.2007

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