Robotic Vacuum Guide

The History of iRobot

The robovac would most certainly not be as developed and technologically advanced were it not for the innovation and guidance of the iRobot company.

The iRobot Corporation was founded in 1990 by roboticists from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). The company’s specialty is the development of robots that assist people in the easy completion of everyday tasks. iRobot’s creations can maneuver and navigate in complex and dynamic environments and are powered by the trademarked AWARE Robot Intelligence System developed by the company. The iRobot Roomba Vacuuming Robots have sold more than 3 million units worldwide, which easily makes it the best selling consumer-grade robot in history. iRobot also works with a wide range of military and civilian customers as well, with their tactical line of mobile robots having sold more than 2000 units for special use in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The robots have performed numerous missions and have no doubt saved the lives of many soldiers.

The Beginning

iRobot was founded in 1990 by Colin Angle, Helen Greiner and Rodney Brooks. The very next year, the company launched its first robot known as Genghis. Genghis was designed and intended for extraterrestrial exploration uses.

Innovation to Save Lives

In 1996, Ariel was developed for the detection and elimination of mines in surf zones. Ariel was capable of scrambling over obstacles while still remaining in an upright position due to the design of it’s innovative crab-like legs.

1998 saw the award of a big DARPA contract for iRobot. They were contracted to develop the tactical mobile robot program. This program eventually resulted in the development of the iRobot PackBot. In 2001 after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the PackBot was used to search the rubble and ruins of the World Trade Center in New York City. Further use by the military placed the PackBot in Afghanistan to search caves for ammunition and hostile forces.

Making History & The Advent of the Robotic Vacuum

2002 brought two big milestones for the company: First a robot was designed to search the Great Pyramids of Egypt, an even that is televised live around the world. Second, the Roomba Vacuuming Robot is billed as the first practical and economically available robot for the home.

In 2004 iRobot signed more military contracts, released advanced versions of the Roomba with new features such as Dirt Detect and a self-charging battery dock known as Home Base, and witnessed history as the sales of Roomba units surpass 1 million sold.

A year later, a cleaning companion to the Roomba was released. The new unit, called the Scooba, was the world’s first floor washing robot for the home. Six months later, the company begins trading publicly on the NASDAQ under the symbol “IRBT.”

2006 brought more growth for the company. Home robot sales surpassed 2 millions units in May. In September, the company released a workshop robot for garages, basements, and workbench areas. The new unit was called the Dirt Dog.

The Future

In January 2007, iRobot released the Create programmable robot. This was a design meant for aspiring robot engineers, students, and developers. This opened the door for future development, innovation, and improvements for robots and their use by people in everyday life.

The same year the Verro was released to the delight of many pool owners, as it is a pool cleaning robot. Worldwide deliveries of the PackBot surpassed 1,000 units as well. The Roomba was further developed as well and sales continued to improve. The Looj Gutter Cleaning robot was developed to make a tedious household cleaning job safer for homeowners.

Another level of robot artistry was developed at the same time called the ConnectR Virtual Visiting Robot. It allows individuals who are living at a great distance, working late, or just not able to be somewhere in person to virtually visit with family, friends, and pets if they so choose.

PackBot units surpassed 2,000 units delivered in 2008 and the company continues to grow and prosper. With such a rich history and great reputation, iRobot looks to be the perennial powerhouse of consumer robot sales for years to come.

Source: iRobot Corporation: Our History

http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=203