iRobot Corporation
iRobot Corporation is an American technology company that designs and builds consumer robots. It was founded in 1990 by three members of MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory who were inspired by the vision of making practical robots a reality. The company is best known for its Roomba, an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner, but it has developed a wide range of products including floor moppers, pool cleaners, and even military robots.
Consumer Robotics
iRobot's most popular product line is its series of consumer robots designed to automate household chores. These include:
Roomba
Roomba is a series of autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners that was first introduced in September 2002. Roombas use a set of sensors to navigate the floor area, avoid obstacles, and detect dirty spots on the floor. They have evolved over the years to include features like Wi-Fi connectivity, app control, and compatibility with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Scooba
Scooba was a floor-scrubbing robot that was released in limited numbers in December 2005. Unlike the Roomba, which is designed for carpeted and hard floors, the Scooba was specifically designed to scrub hard floors by spraying a cleaning solution, scrubbing the floor, and then vacuuming up the dirty water. Though it has been discontinued, it paved the way for future floor-cleaning robots.
Braava
The Braava series includes robots designed for mopping hard floors. Unlike the Scooba, Braava robots do not use a wet vacuum mechanism but instead use disposable or reusable cloths to mop the floor. The Braava jet m6, one of the latest models, can even spray water or cleaning solution on the floor.
Military and Research Robots
In addition to consumer products, iRobot has also been involved in developing robots for military and research applications. These include:
PackBot
The PackBot is a series of military robots designed for bomb disposal, reconnaissance, and search and rescue missions. It gained significant attention for its use in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Warrior
The iRobot Warrior is a larger, more robust robot designed for a variety of military applications, including carrying heavy payloads, bomb disposal, and performing reconnaissance in dangerous environments.
R-Gator
Developed in collaboration with John Deere, the iRobot R-Gator is an unmanned robotic platform built upon Deere's M-Gator vehicle. It is designed for a range of applications including perimeter patrol, convoy protection, and automated resupply missions.
Create
The iRobot Create is a customizable robot designed for hobbyists and researchers. Based on the Roomba platform, it allows users to develop their own applications and modifications, making it a popular choice for educational and research purposes.
Cultural Impact
iRobot has had a significant cultural impact, influencing not just consumer expectations but also popular media. The company name is often associated with the 2004 science fiction film I, Robot, although the film is not directly related to the company. The film, directed by Alex Proyas and based on the works of Isaac Asimov, portrays a future where robots are part of everyday life, resonating with iRobot's vision.