iRobot, a leading robotic technology based solutions provider, has been granted a $230 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract on April 12, 2011 from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
As per the agreement, NAVSEA would acquire PackBot Man Transportable Robotic System Robots (MTRS) along with spare kits, depot level repair parts, depot repair services, training, parts supply, configuration management, engineering enhancements and approved accessories. This MTRS is built based on the iRobot 510 PackBot.
According to Robert Moses, the President of the Government and Industrial Robots Division of iRobot, the PackBots have already proved their superior technology in the battlefield. He also states that these robots were saving lives on a daily basis and hence the company was happy that the Navy was planning to provide them to the troops in the future. The iRobot 510 PackBot being the most battle-tested robot performs dangerous missions such as bomb disposal for the soldiers and first responders. At present, they are being used in Afghanistan and Iraq for recognizing and neutralizing explosive devices, clear the routes for the troops on the move and also perform reconnaissance activities.
Source: http://www.irobot.com