Invasion of the Roomba Clones III

The invasion of the Roomba clones is on! First there was the Neato Robotics XV-11 and the LG Roboking II, then there was the Asus Ecleaner, and now we have something called the Robo Shine Turbo RX1 Robot Vacuum. Seriously, could they have come up with a cheesier name? I think this is simply a rebadged generic Roomba knockoff, but don't know *which* generic knockoff they are rebadging. Robo Shine has a cheesy website that says they were founded in November in Birmingham, England. The expected YouTube video is below. From the website and the video, the Robo Shine Turbo RX1 comes with a tallish Roomba clone with UV light, "mopping" attachment (really just a way to add a swiffer-like device to the bottom), virtual wall, self-charging home base, yada yada yada. The price is 189 pounds, which translates to $303 -- a bit pricey in my book for a no-name vacuum brand with zero track record. But it is a pretty red color! (BTW, what is it with never showing the bottom of these vacuums in the videos? You know, the part that actually cleans?? They also never want to show them on carpet. At any rate, it looks like the market is now being flooded with Roomba clones, which could mean overtime for iRobot's lawyers. It could also, however, mean more publicity for robotic vacuums and I don't think will hurt iRobot overall that much. The Roomba is the iPod of robotic vacuums, and everybody else so far is vying to be SanDisk. We may have to reevaluate that when we see the laser-guided Neato in action, of course.

I seem to remember seeing something like the Robo Shine model before, but the original name escapes me. Readers have any idea who built this?

As promised, here is the video:


Tags: Roomba, robot

ASUS ECleaner, Latest Roomba Competitor, Launches in Taiwan, China; Price $155

BREAKING: Asustek Computer is getting into the robotic vacuum business. The Taiwan Economic News. The Taiwan newspaper says that ASUS Ventures and its subsidiary AGAiT Technology Corp. are releasing an all-new Roomba competitor called the ECleaner in China and Taiwan by the end of the month.
According to the article, Asus intends to undercut the price of the Roomba, charging under 5,000 Taiwainese currency (about $155 according to Google's conversion), which the article says is half the price of comparable Roomba models. The ECleaner appears to have a similar list of features, including a self-charging home base, a spinning side brush, front bumper, round shape, etc.
From the YouTube video below and a translated version of the company's website, the folks at Asus appeared to copy much of Roomba's functionality, with a few upgrades and a few downgrades. Let's start with the upgrades: the ECleaner includes a 6000-hour UV light for disinfecting the floor (this is not an industry first; the Infinuvo Cleanmate QQ-1, QQ-2 and QQ-3 also include a UV light). It also has a slot for spreading "fragrance" if you are the type that likes to muck up your house with artificial odors (sames as Cleanmate). And there is a remote control that fits nicely into the top of the vacuum (same as Cleanmate). But all of these upgrades are essentially gimmicks. Now, the downgrades. Available in red or yellow, ECleaner appears to be about an inch taller than Roomba (10 cm versus 7.6 cm), meaning that in some homes it won't be able to get under couches, etc. The ECleaner's 2500 mAh battery works for 90 minutes -- about enough to clean three rooms -- before it has to recharge on its self-charging home base. It takes 3 hours to recharge, just like Roomba. The 3000 mAh Roomba APS battery lasts about 2 hours, although iRobot has come out with weaker batteries of late as well. The new ECleaner also appears to be slower than Roomba judging from the video. There is no mention of a scheduling capability.
The article notes that Asus competitor Acer has acquired a stake in iRobot (I checked, this is not new. Acer was one of iRobot's pre-IPO investors and an Acer exec sits on iRobot's board of directors), and that may have prompted Asus to develop a robotic vacuum to compete with its Taiwanese rival.
My sense is that despite the low price, this is no more serious a threat to iRobot than the Cleanmate was, given that the Cleanmate was a bust that is hard to find anywhere. The $399 square-front Neato Robotics XV-11, on the other hand, may have more luck, if its cleaning performance lives up to its hype.

Here's the not-so-exciting YouTube video:


And here's the robot's cleaning algorithm:


Thx for the tip, byronangel

Tags: iRobot, robot, Roomba, Asus, AGAIT, ECleaner, Cleanmate

Neato Robotics XV-11 Robotic Vacuum, LG Roboking take aim at iRobot's Roomba Empire

For the first time, iRobot's dominant Roomba vacuuming robot franchise may be under serious threat. Two new competitors have announced this week that they will start shipping next year, and promise to fix some of the shortcomings with the Roomba.

First up is the Neato Robotics XV-11 (pictured), from a Silicon Valley startup I've never heard of before. This exciting new contender looks strikingly similar to patent filings iRobot made for a square-front Roomba first reported by Robot Stock News, which as of yet it has not produced. Neato promises in its Dec. 16 press release announcing the XV-11 and in videos at the company's slick web site, NeatoRobotics.com, that its robotic vacuum is the most powerful on the market, uses lasers to navigate in straight lines instead of Roomba's random algorithms, and navigates around objects instead of hitting them. All the better - Neato's square front allows it to get into corners, which Roomba can't with its round shape. (Indeed, iRobot's own patent filing said that this would be the advantage of a square-front vac!)
At any rate, this could set off an interesting intellectual property fight, and I'm sure iRobot will be acquiring a Neato robotic vacuum ASAP to see if there is anything that they can sue over. iRobot has a number of patents on its Roomba and Scooba products, and has been aggressive in filing lawsuits in the past.
The XV-11 also claims to clean faster than Roomba because it maps the floor and goes in straight lines, which could be a big plus, and it has a self-charging dock, virtual wall technology and scheduling ability, just like a Roomba.
But it does appear to have a pretty big drawback -- it carries a list price of $399 -- about what a very high end Roomba costs. But Roombas can be had for as cheap as $129, and even the latest generation model starts at $212, so you'd be hard pressed to justify the extra price just for corner cleaning. The real test in my mind will come when people actually start using it. Does it get tangled in cords? Does it do well on carpets? Is the dirt bin bigger or smaller than Roomba? How about reliability? Etc. Neato comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, so I'll probably take it for a spin once they are available in February. Why not? Also curious is that the company doesn't have any pictures of the underside of the robot. Are there counter-rotating brushes like the Roomba? Would be interesting to see, but maybe they don't want to tip iRobot off to their design just yet, and will show more leg at CES 2010? Judging by the spare parts, there is a $39 replacement brush, so it isn't just a straight vacuum. A 2-pack of replacement batteries is also just $59, much cheaper than the $89 Roomba wants for just one replacement battery on the 500 Series.
The company's FAQ says that retailers including high-end retailer Hammacher Schlemmer and Amazon.com will start taking orders for the XV-11 in January. (Getting Hammacher on board is a huge coup; they have been a long-term iRobot partner).

The upgraded RoboKing, meanwhile, may be a bit less exciting -- it uses a conventional Roomba-style design, and will likely be priced like previous Roboking models -- much, much higher than Roomba. At any rate, the new Roboking is said to be 30% shorter and 30% faster and significantly quieter than its predecessor while sporting a second camera. Color me unimpressed. How does it CLEAN? For some reason (patents?), the Korean robot vacs have never made it to the United States. VIdeo with goofy music is available here.

iRobot, meanwhile, appears likely to retaliate mainly with a tweaked version of the Roomba 500 Series featuring an upgraded vacuum system and bin that it is dubbing "Aero Vac" technology. The new Roomba 536 is the first iteration.

Let the robot wars begin! And may the best robot win.

(thanks, byronangel)

Tags: Neato, Neato Robotics, XV-11, Roomba, robotic vacuums, Roboking, iRobot, robot, vacuum,

iRobot Formally Announces "Spark" Education Program

iRobot yesterday formally announced its new Spark initiative we noted a while back. The press release is at this link. The new SPARK website is at this link, and features a quote from President Obama extolling science and the need to build things, not just consume them.

So far, the Spark site appears to be in its nascent stages. I checked out the user forums and they have 217 registered members but only a few posts -- fewer readers actually than Robot Stock News. But it is an interesting platform that could grow.

iRobot says its engineers have visited 50 classrooms in the past year giving robot demos. The idea is solid -- build a base of budding roboticists to help proselytize the industry. Apple has long tapped the willingness of youth to try something different, and iRobot is smart to do the same with robotics, which remains a foreign concept to most people, especially the older set.

iRobot's "Create" product could conceivably get some incremental sales out of this, but this is more about long-term grassroots PR than making money up-front.

BTW, here's an idea for iRobot's marketing people: team up with the owners of the Frogger video game to make a "Roomba Frogger" video game for the iPhone. Sell it for FREE, and have ads that take people to iRobot's site to see the various robotic products. Or team up with Google and partner on a "Droid" commercial.

Just sayin'

Tags: iRobot, robotics, education

CPSC backs Zhu Zhu, Good Guide admits goof

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is backing claims by the makers of the Zhu Zhu robotic hamsters that they comply with safety standards and don't have excess levels of the chemical antimony, The Washington Post reports. Some 6 million of the pets have sold this season! Good Guide, the web site that claimed the robots were out of compliance, acknowledged in a web update that they used a surface test that should not have been compared to the federal standards and said they regretted the error.

Score one for Mr. Squiggles.

Tags: Zhu Zhu

IRBT keeps soaring, how high will it go? (Latest iRobot Top 10)

iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ:IRBT) has now more than doubled in the past year, jumping more than $1 a share Friday alone to bust through yet another 52-week high. iRobot is now officially a HOT stock and has a story to go with it. Here are the high points:

1. iRobot has a blowout new product called the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) that the Army has announced plans to acquire for EVERY brigade combat team, potentially 10,000 to 20,000 robots at $70K plus per copy over a number of years. CEO Colin Angle projected ramping up SUGV production to 4,000 units a year in 2013 in a presentation last week.
2. The SUGV and iRobot's existing PackBot products are ideal for Afghanistan, where we are ramping up our forces, because they are lightweight and man-packable, unlike many competing products, and can carry a very broad array of add-ons, from sniper detection to bomb-sniffing. The $30 billion war supplemental expected this spring could include an extra chunk of change for iRobot.
3. Roomba sales are booming in the overseas market, particularly in Europe, but soon to be expanded to South America. They have shrunk significantly in the United States, but that should rebound when the economy starts growing in earnest by Christmas 2010.
4. New Roomba models are imminent. HSN has the first new model featuring "Aero Vac" technology; iRobot plans to roll out the improved Roomba technology across its line in early 2010. That could prompt a wave of upgrades as well as happier customers.
5. iRobot has cut costs by millions this year and has grown cash flow dramatically despite the downturn in the economy with a new, more bottom-line focused management team.
6. ZERO debt. Did I mention ZERO debt?
7. Takeover opportunities abound. iRobot's properties, particularly its SUGV product, should be worth tons to any number of major defense contractors, provided that Angle is willing to sell. A sale would be far easier given that the other two founders, Helen Greiner (now heading DroidWorks) and Rodney Brooks (Heartland Robotics), have long since moved on to more entrepreneurial pastures and would probably be eager for a cash-out payday at the right price. (iRobot's bylaws are very hostile to hostile takeovers, but an amicable takeover is another matter entirely. Brooks, Greiner and Angle together own a very large chunk of iRobot stock.) iRobot also has a growing patent portfolio, and its Roomba line could be valuable to any number of consumer products companies.
8. New health care robot division is headed by a proven entrepreneur and has significant potential if they can develop the right product.
9. There is a HUGE opportunity for iRobot to use its marketing power and proven products to move into retail, a la Apple, where they can show off their products in person. When it comes to seeing a brand new piece of technology, particularly a robot, there is no substitute for an in-person demo. iRobot appears to be finally getting the message, setting up a mall kiosk last year, two this year, and plans to roll out substantially more next Christmas if the stores are a success. (I've been advocating for iRobot stores since 2007.)
10. There are still huge markets where iRobot has the potential to introduce game-changing robots. An affordable robotic lawnmower for the masses. Industrial cleaning. Shower cleaning. Toilet cleaning. Window washing. Laundry folding/ironing. Cooking. (How cool would a cooking robot be?)

Tags: iRobot, robot

Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters Have Unsafe Levels of Chemical, Consumer Site Says

CNN reports that the consumer site GoodGuide has tested the Mister Squiggles Zhu Zhu hamster and found that it exceeded new federal standards for levels of the toxic chemical antimony.

OUCH!

Cepia, the maker of Zhu Zhu, says their own tests performed by an independent company show the products are safe.

Key Quote:

"We are contacting the Good Guide people at this moment to share with them all of our Mr. Squiggles and Zhu Zhu Pet testing data so we can get to the bottom of how their report was founded,” Russ Hornsby said. "We want to assure everyone already enjoying Mr. Squiggles or other Zhu Zhu Pets, and those planning to purchase Mr. Squiggles or another Zhu Zhu Pet this holiday season, that the toy is 100 percent safe and in compliance with all U.S. and European toy safety standards. I have been in the toy industry for more than 35 years, and being a father of children myself, I would never allow any substandard or unsafe product to hit the shelves."

But the damage could be done. Looks like the latest toy robot fad might be over even before it was really getting started. Those middlemen who bought up thousands in hopes of capitalizing on desperate parents at a premium are probably freaking out. Even if the GoodGuide report is accurate, it could be just one bad batch, but that's all it takes. And when you are using contract manufacturers that you do not directly control, you can be up a creek if they or a subcontractor or a sub-subcontractor decide to cut corners to make a buck and the results can be disastrous. (Remember the Chinese milk scandal.) But that's the reality of today's manufacturing processes. Nobody produces their own stuff any more, and everybody makes their stuff in China. Can only hope that stories like this (and the lead toy fiasco) will prompt the Chinese to continually improve their own policing and testing policies.

All of this also points out the risks of getting into the toy business, which some have suggested iRobot do. (iRobot's previous effort at a robotic baby created exceptionally creepy results and failed to be a commercial success.) I'm not saying robot toys aren't worth considering, but you have to have *ALL* your ducks in a row, and if you have a dud, you end up with a lot of worthless plastic sitting in your inventory. I'm convinced iRobot has made a strategic decision not to go to toys, or else it would have bought Ugobe's assets on the cheap when the Pleo maker failed. Not gonna happen.

Tags: Zhu Zhu

The Robot Report: Comprehensive new robotics site

Frank Tobe, the publisher of the new site The Robot Report, is assembling a comprehensive database of robotics companies worldwide and has a site chock-full of interesting tidbits. Frank has also developed a robotic stock index called Robo-Stox. Definitely worth a look!

Here's a cool YouTube video full of fascinating robots from his recent trip to the iRex2009 robotics expo in Tokyo (I noted in particular the industrial cleaning robots from Subaru and an undersea torpedo-like robot):


Tags: robotics, robot

Colin Angle Forecasts 4,000 PackBots/SUGVs a year by 2013, plans "nonlethal" armed robots

iRobot CEO Colin Angle forecast military robot sales of 4,000 a year in 2013, assuming that the SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle) is ramped up as expected by the military, in a presentation yesterday. iRobot stock (NASDAQ:IRBT) soared to a 52-week high on the news, nearly hitting $15 a share. That's more than double its all-time low of about $7 last year, but still $9 away from the company's IPO price of $24 a share.

The SUGV (pictured) is the single biggest driver of the company's growth, from its current pace of 1,000+ robots a year, and all systems seem to be a go, although we are still waiting for the really big orders to roll in and waiting to get a firmer sense of how much SUGV will cost per unit. (A similar robot, the PackBot with FasTac Kit, costs about $70,000 a copy, although that low price came as a result of an illegitimate competitor who used iRobot technology in their bid; the contract award was subsequently awarded to iRobot, and that company's assets were transferred to iRobot, but without additional financial consideration for the faulty competition). While there are other companies vying for a piece of the SUGV business, iRobot has had a huge head start and already is delivering product.

Given that Afghanistan is heating up, I would be surprised if the Army doesn't move quickly on more orders, especially since the SUGV is better suited to Afghanistan than perhaps any other robot, and better even than Iraq because of it's abilities handling rough terrain/caves, etc. relative to larger, more cumbersome robots that are not man-packable.

Angle's presentation slides included a number of interesting future products, some of which we have noted here previously, including a future iRobot unmanned patrol boat (see the iRobot patrol boat in this video), an armed but "nonlethal" variant of its PackBot line (there is a small pic of what looks like a gun on the PackBot), and a firefighting version of its iRobot Warrior product (which has been in the works since as least 2007).
iRobot has partnered in the past with Taser (check out this devastating video from a while back) for nonlethal firepower, and with MetalStorm for both nonlethal rubber-bullet weaponry on up to grenade launchers (pictured). But given that the company roadmap now focuses on "nonlethal" means of firepower, it's clear the company (and the Army) is still worried about giving lethal firepower to the robot, even though the trigger would still have to be pulled by a soldier. This makes sense from a PR perspective -- all of robotics could be set back with just one friendly fire incident -- but there is a clear double standard between robotic drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs) which come equipped with missiles that can result in massive collateral damage and are controlled by a technician sitting in a dark room in Florida, and a ground robot. Because of today's restrictions, a soldier on the ground could put a bad guy in his sights from a safe, remote location and still not be able to take him out because of HQ's concerns about PR. Basically, the situation now is better than it was before: Soldier tosses PackBot/SUGV into house, checks on camera to see if bad guys are inside. But if there ARE bad guys inside, soldier still has to go in, risking himself and his buddies, instead of neutralizing the enemy remotely. My guess is this is going to change, the question is when. There also are the longstanding concerns about iRobot's brand strategy, given that it's cute and cuddly Roomba image does not jive with having ever more sophisticated warbots. Go to any other military contractors' home page, and they have videos and pictures of stuff shooting other stuff. iRobot? Not so much.

At any rate, iRobot appears on the cusp of passing a critical milestone in its development, assuming that it gets the vast bulk of the SUGV business. At some point, I wouldn't be surprised if Boeing or another big contractor made a play for iRobot's military businesses, now that it is starting to churn up real money. And in the hands of one of the big boys, the technology could be more rapidly developed and spread across a much broader array of products. iRobot itself could then focus its attention on its remaining businesses -- the home robot business as well as the emerging health care robot division.

Hat tip, byronangel

Tags: iRobot, robot, Army, SUGV, robotics, stocks

iRobot Roomba Kills Deadly Viper, Saves Kids

Shocking, but apparently true. A deadly viper died from headwounds as it wound itself inside a Roomba in Israel. Story at Botjunkie.

Tags: iRobot, Roomba

Roomba 550 Rockets to #1 at Amazon!

The Roomba 550 at Amazon is the No. 1 top seller today at Amazon.com.

We are featuring the Roomba 550 in our Roomba Buyers Guide.

We'll have a full Black Friday guide up before the big day too and will be updating during the day Friday on expected new deals.

-Thorn

Tags: iRobot, Roomba

Aussies, Koreans launch "Healthbots" collaboration

Australia and Korea are teaming up on health care robots, an area iRobot has targeted as its next big growth area. CNET has the story on "Charlie the Robot."

Tags: iRobot, healthbots

Geckosystems' CareBot enters home trials; aims to compete with iRobot

Geckosystems, a $1.6 million Pinksheet-listed company (GCKO.PK) based in Georgia, announced last week that it has started home trials of its CareBot eldercare/health care robot. This will compete with iRobot's new health care robot division. Gecko may be worth buying out just for the name CareBot:

CONYERS, Ga., Nov. 18, 2009 -- GeckoSystems Intl. Corp. (PINKSHEETS: GCKO) announced today that they have started limited in home evaluation trials for their first product, a fully autonomous personal companion home care robot, the CareBot™. ...
"Practical, cost effective mobile robot solutions are our primary goal. We are very pleased to begin our first in home trials of this new assistive care home appliance, a customizable personal companion robot with telepresence capabilities. The first step, integrating into the home environment, is customizing the voice reproduction (synthesis) in our verbal interaction software, GeckoChat, such that the care receiver can readily understand timely (using GeckoScheduler™) verbal reminders for their medications, upcoming TV shows, family visits, etc. The care receiver here is a ninety-three year old widow with short-term memory loss that is very similar to the symptoms of Alzheimer's victims, but without the continued degradation. Now we begin proving our long held belief that personal companion mobile robots, like the CareBot, can help tens of thousands of families take better care of their loved ones while saving significant monies," remarked Martin Spencer, President/CEO, GeckoSystems.
"In the near future, as we progress with our in home personal companion robot evaluation trials, we will be reporting on the social interaction responses of the care receiver --and the care giver-- to this new type of fully autonomous in home medical monitoring system," observed Spencer.
The elderly frequently endure loneliness and/or loss of independence when living in nursing homes or other assisted living facilities. This new type of remote medical monitoring system, a CareBot, will postpone, if not eliminate that trauma to them. Their families can now better manage the difficult decisions regarding the independence they allow their now dependent parent while minimizing the risk the adult care giver is willing to assume for a prudent level of independence for their now reliant parent.
Some believe that this new type of useful care giving help is approved and paid for through options such as the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, which broadens the definition, use, and funding of technology at home. Other sources include long-term care insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid waivers, and (potentially) stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, under the provisions for health information technology and electronic medical records for acute care.
Like an automobile, mobile robots are made from steel, aluminum, plastic, and electronics, but with ten to twenty times the amount of software running. The CareBot has an aluminum frame, plastic shroud, two independently driven wheels, multiple sensor systems, microprocessors and several onboard computers connected in a local area network (LAN). The microprocessors directly interact with the sensor systems and transmit data to the onboard computers. The onboard computers each run independent, highly specialized cooperative/subsumptive artificial intelligence (AI) software programs, GeckoSavants™, which interact to complete tasks in a timely, intelligent and common sense manner. GeckoNav™, GeckoChat™ and GeckoTrak™ are primary GeckoSavants. GeckoNav is responsible for maneuvering, avoiding dynamic and/or static obstacles, seeking waypoints and patrolling. GeckoChat is responsible for interaction with the care-receiver such as answering questions, assisting with daily routines and reminders, and responding to other verbal commands. GeckoTrak, which is mostly transparent to the user, enables the CareBot to maintain proximity to the care-receiver using sensor fusion. The CareBot is an internet appliance that is accessible for remote video/audio monitoring and telepresence.

GeckoChat is one of several GeckoSavants that enable their new product, a personal companion robot, the CareBot. It employs voice recognition and synthesis. It is an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) expert system that enables meaningful dialogues between the care receiver/giver and the CareBot as determined and customized by the care giver(s). The voice synthesis can be customized as to flux, breathiness and cadence. The caregiver can further enhance the sound quality using the on board seven band frequency equalizer and amplifier for easier comprehension.
"Due to our international competition from the Pacific Rim, Europe, and domestic competition in the U.S. (See Competitive Note below.), we are gratified to make this 'world's first' announcement. With these in home trials now initiated and progressing, we expect to learn a great deal as to the reality of social interaction between human and robot in home settings," concluded Spencer.

Competitive Note:
The known competitive product offerings, or in development include, but are not limited to:
In Asia: Honda ("ASIMO"), Toyota ("Partner Robots"), Fujitsu (Frontech's "enon"), Sanyo ("FLATTHRU"), NEC ("PaPeRo"), Toshiba ("ApriAlpha", "ApriAttenda"), Samsung, Hitachi ("EMIEW"), Matsushita ("HOSPI"), Mitsubishi ("Wakamaru"), etc.
In Europe: Robosoft ("robuLAB10"), Robowatch, Dyson, Husqvarna, etc. are working to achieve their first personal robot trials, too.
In the U.S.: iRobot ("CiCi"), Mobile Robots ("PeopleBot"), RoboDynamics ("MILO"), Evolution Robotics, etc. are also still seeking to develop viable, cost effective personal companion robots with eldercare benefits.
Prestigious U.S. universities such as MIT, Georgia Tech, Stanford University, UCLA, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, Virginia Tech, etc. are but a few of the domestic engineering schools engaged in personal companion robot research and development activities.
None of the foregoing have initiated in home evaluation trials of their personal companion home care mobile robots.

Here's a video of the dorky looking CareBot in action:


Tags: iRobot, robot, Carebot, Geckosystems, eldercare, robotics

Wichita TV station raves about Looj

A local TV station puts the iRobot Looj gutter cleaner through its paces.

Does it work?

Verdict: Yes!

Tags: iRobot, Looj

Medical robots featured on CNBC

I was watching Maria Bartiromo on CNBC tonight when a report came on showing InTouch Health's telepresence robots for hospitals. The report was very positive but said that the robot cost $200,000. One of the doctors on the show said that patients would want to see the doctor, not a robot with a doctor's head on a screen, but to me that's narcissism. Patients want to get well and want the best doctor available, even if it means a guy three states away who is only available on a screen.

Here's InTouch's web site. I wonder if this company, or one like it, could partner with iRobot or be a takeover candidate?

Tags: InTouch, robot

These are the medical droids we're looking for...

Boston blog Xconomy has profiled iRobot's new health care robotics division and has an interview with its distinguished new president, who has already turned himself into a multimillionaire with his own former company and is a Harvard grad with extensive robotics experience dating back decades (and is a Bell Labs brat to boot, son of a Bell Labs dude).

It's a must read.

thx, bbuderi

Tags: iRobot, droids

iRobot a Takeover Target?

I have speculated in the past that iRobot is ripe for a takeover by a defense contractor who would then sell or split off the consumer arm to help finance the purchase. The Boston Globe last week talked about speculation that iRobot could be sold, but quotes somebody saying buyers wouldn't want to have to deal with the two sides of iRobot's business. Perhaps, but I'm not convinced. With the SUGV orders starting to roll in en masse, a company like Boeing could very easily digest iRobot's military side and either keep the consumer business as is as a hobby or sell it to a company like Microsoft, whose CEO, Bill Gates, has been extremely enthusiastic about robots and the Roomba in particular in the past. A big advantage is that iRobot has a ton of technology but the price of a buyout -- probably under $1 billion, is easily digestible by numerous big companies. iRobot also would be able to offload costly accounting and back office costs to the bigger corporation, making it more profitable, and take advantage of technological synergies with bigger companies. For instance, I bet Boeing wouldn't mind having robots to clean its factories!

Thx, sugvee

Tags: iRobot,

Cool SUGV300 Promo Video from Boeing, iRobot

This video promoting iRobot's SUGV300 robot is a year-old, but I just found it today. It's very slick.

The Mission from Creative Technologies Inc. on Vimeo.

Tags: iRobot, SUGV

Reporter takes iRobot's SUGV for a spin

A reporter at the Lawrence, Kansas newspaper recently tried out the PackBot-based SUGV, and liked it.
The article notes how the SUGV will work in tandem with aerial surveillance and other sensors to help provide security and intelligence.
Key quote:
“I have been in the Army 10 years; this is exactly what I have been waiting nine years for,” said David Leyva, staff sergeant for the U.S. Army. “It’s about getting our soldiers where we need to and getting them home, and this is just another way of ensuring safety.”

Tags: iRobot, SUGV

iRobot's Pop-up Stores get noticed

iRobot's two new pop-up stores they have planned for this Christmas season as a pilot for a potential national rollout of mall-based stores got a write up this week. There is a trend towards using so-called pop-up stores with very short term leases and very low risk instead of signing long-term, 10- or 20-year leases. This strategy has become more feasible of late with so many storefronts empty in many of the nation's malls.

I've been advocating for years that iRobot take a page out of Apple's retail playbook and open up its own stores in high-traffic locations so they can demonstrate products. People need handholding when they are buying their first robot, and they need to see it demonstrated live, not sitting on a shelf next to a Bass-O-Matic. Permanent locations would also have the advantage of providing customer service -- and could even have a "genius" type designation for employees to troubleshoot dead Roombas. I could see such stores offering a $49 "Roomba Turbo-Clean" service for spiffying up your Roomba, for example, in addition to selling the full line of Roomba accessories.

Tags: iRobot,

Roomba Pac-Man Project Scores Mad YouTube Hits

First, there was Roomba Frogger. Now, Roomba Pac-Man has become a YouTube mini-sensation, with nearly 300,000 hits:



Tags: iRobot, Roomba, Robotics

iRobot Creates Health Care Business Unit, Names New President

Big news today, folks. iRobot is now a health care company! And we all know that's where the big money is in this economy. Maybe, just maybe, Wall Street will start to wake up to IRBT? iRobot CEO Colin Angle is going to make the big announcement at the TEDMED conference, including the hiring of a new president of its newly created health care business unit.

Angle says the company's goal is to "add a million years of independent living" to customers. Pretty ambitious, and if successful, pretty darn lucrative. Nursing homes are tens of thousands a year. Multiply that times a million, and you end up with tens of billions saved.

Here's the press release:

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iRobot Corp. (Nasdaq: IRBT - News) today announced that Colin Angle, iRobot’s chairman and chief executive officer, will discuss the role of robots in the future of healthcare during a presentation at the TEDMED conference in San Diego, Calif.
At the event, Angle will also introduce Tod Loofbourrow, president of iRobot’s newly-created healthcare business unit. The new business unit is committed to exploring the potential of robotics as an assistive technology to promote wellness and enhance quality of life for seniors. In this role, Loofbourrow will be responsible for all aspects of the group’s strategy, research and operations. He will report directly to Angle.
“Hiring Tod to lead our new healthcare business unit underscores the significance of this market opportunity, as well as the commitment the company is making in this space,” said Angle. “Our healthcare mission is to add a million years of independent living to our customers. As the leader in practical robots, we believe that we will have something unique and significant to offer in the field of healthcare.”
iRobot believes that next-generation practical robots have the potential to help caregivers perform critical work and extend the time that people can live independently. Robots may be capable of assisting in senior care in a variety of real-life situations, including household chores and the on-time administration of medication. This could ultimately lower the cost for care.
Loofbourrow joins iRobot with more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in the high-technology sector. Most recently, he served as chairman, chief executive officer and founder of Authoria, Inc., a leader in the benefits and talent management market.
“I joined iRobot because I believe that the business has the potential to make a significant difference in the field of healthcare,” said Loofbourrow. “People want to stay in their homes and live independently for as long as they can. This is a company with millions of robots currently assisting people in their homes. With $2.2 trillion spent every year on healthcare in the United States, I believe that the long-term potential of robotics to extend independent living is profound.”
Prior to Authoria, Loofbourrow was chief executive officer and founder of Foundation Technologies, Inc., which developed the first-ever “Managed Second Surgical Opinion” system for managed care. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a graduate certificate from Oxford University. He has taught business courses at Harvard University and lectured at Stanford, MIT Sloan School of Management, Harvard Business School, Yale and Babson College.

Tags: iRobot, robot, health care

New XM1216 SUGV videos, photos show off versatility

iRobot's SUGV mini-robot appears to be moving ever closer to dead-lock blockbuster. The Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle, a decendent of the PackBot labeled the XM1216 by the Amry, recently saw a secret order from the U.S. government (we still don't know who bought them or why) and the first brigade combat teams will soon have their hands on them. What's more, the Army's own SUGV page says that all brigade combat teams will have them by 2025. That's a recipe for 10,000 to 20,000 robots, folks, and billions in revenue. This morning I dug up some new videos featuring the SUGV.
Below is an HD YouTube video taken by soldiers working with the SUGV. Towards the end you can see just how versatile it is as the soldiers have a little fun:


The Army's Brigade Combat Team modernization web site also has new videos from September lauding iRobot's SUGV and showing them in action. You can also peruse a gallery of pictures.

Tags: iRobot, SUGV, robot

Memo to iRobot: Ditch the 400 Series Roomba!

iRobot doesn't seem to get it: their 400 Series Roomba is obsolete and needs to be torched, now. For some reason, iRobot is still manufacturing these clearly inferior robots featuring 2005 technology and selling them, presumably so they can still have one low-priced entry-level Roomba. I saw on HSN they are selling Roomba Schedulers (Model 4230). I have one myself. It originally retailed for $329, and is now selling for $199. But, folks, this model is obsolete. Don't buy it.

Here's all the stuff that makes the 400 Series completely inferior:
* They get tangled on cords and tassles. That doesn't happen on the 500 Series.
* No proximity sensor so they crash into obstacles. 500 Series slows down first and gives a nice tap.
* 50% Weaker Vacuum.
* Smaller dustbin.
* Reliability. The 400 Series was designed for 300-500 uses, versus 1,500+ for the 500 Series!
* Smaller battery.
* Weaker side brush.
* No sealed housing, so electronics and sensors get stuffed with dust, and cleaning it can be a chore. The 500 Series is much easier to clean, with a sealed housing for the electronics (DUH!).
* Parts aren't as modular. I haven't had to replace wheels, etc. on my Roomba 560, but if I did, the new Roomba Series has modular parts that are easy to replace. Simply not possible on older Roombas.
* No easy on-board scheduling. You must use the remote.

At any rate, I will also make the pitch that iRobot should ditch the 400 Series as a solid business decision for the following reasons:
* Customers will have a much better experience with the 500 Series, which will lead to better word-of-mouth, more repeat shoppers, etc.
* Imitate Apple (excellence + high prices = profits and happy customers), not GM (planned obsolence=bankruptcy). Do you think Apple still sells the iPhone 2G? NO. Cheaper prices may attract the ultra bargain shopper, but they hurt your brand. I think the only iRobot vacuum that should sell for less than $199 except for the occasional blowout special is the $129 Dirt Dog, which should be the only 400-Series product (along with the iRobot Create) to survive my recommended purge. I'd actually like to see the Dirt Dog priced at $149 except for specials, too.
* Consolidate your SKUs! Inventory management costs money. iRobot will soon have three different types of Roomba filters alone (Roomba 400, Roomba 500, Roomba 536 curved). That's confusing for customers and a nightmare at the warehouse.

Tags: iRobot, Roomba

Roomba Aero Vac, iRobot's latest upgrade, includes new filter and vacuum design

iRobot has quietly debuted new "Aero Vac" cleaning technology that features a redesigned vacuum, filter and debris bin via the Home Shopping Network under the name Roomba 536. The new Aero Vac bin puts the vacuum directly above the Roomba's counter-rotating brushes, and puts the filter in the back of the debris bin, creating a single, larger chamber for dust and debris, versus the older design, which featured separate chambers for dust and large debris. The new vacuum is also believed to be more powerful.
This is the most significant upgrade of the Roomba since the debut of the Roomba 500 Series two years ago. According to the video at HSN (link available via our Roomba buyer's guide) this upgrade will be rolled out to other Roomba models starting in January.

iRobot has made a number of other changes in the latest design, some of which are actually downgrades. The new model lacks a carrying handle, and is not compatible with the Lighthouse virtual wall technology (it uses the older IR technology), both of which appear to be cost-cutting moves.

There also is a new, smaller self-charging home base, which presumably also is cheaper to produce but conveniently takes up less space.

None of these features or accessories are yet available direct from iRobot's web site, which does not mention the new technology anywhere I could find.

-Thorn

Tags: iRobot, robot

iRobot Soars on SUGV sales, Earnings

iRobot shares soared today -- nearly touching $14 a share -- on previously unannounced sales of SUGV military robots and better-than-expected earnings last quarter, with expectations of SUGV sales to outfit three combat brigades starting next year, and the remaining brigades in future years. As I've mentioned all year, the SUGV is the key for this stock right now with home robots essentially holding even given the consumer recession.

The company also announced plans to expand into South American markets next year, building on rapid growth in Europe and Asia, and will open kiosks in Atlanta and Indianapolis this year, in a further test of direct retail strategy (one that I've LONG advocated!).

The company also expects to enter next year with a backlog of $20 million to $25 million from the military, up from $8 million at the start of this year. VERY bullish!

Cash on hand has also increased to $63 million from $27 million in the last year, in large part due to lower inventory levels.

CEO Colin Angle also said the company continues to look at robots to extend independent living but does not have plans to introduce a product in the short term.

Seeking Alpha has the transcript.


Tags: iRobot, robot

iRobot Unveils ChemBot, DARPA-funded project

"Jamming Skin Enabled Locomotion" or JSEL for short is the name iRobot is giving to its all-new technology, which for the first time allows a small robot to act like both a liquid and a solid, with tons of potential military and consumer applications down the road. This could be HUGE, folks. Especially if they can patent it and don't have to share all of the proceeds with DARPA, which is funding the ChemBot project.

Here is the MUST SEE YouTube video:


via Engadget

Tags: iRobot, robot

"PackBot Touch" iRobot-Novint Partnership Announced

Seems like Touch is all the rage. IPhone with multitouch, iPod Touch, now the PackBot Touch. At least, that's the name I'm giving it. iRobot has a contract to partner with startup Novint Technologies of New Mexico to develop a "Remote Touch Kit" for the PackBot so that soldiers can feel what the PackBot feels. The new controls will let the soldier feel how hard the PackBot is squeezing, feel when the arm touches a wire, and feel bumps and jerks when traveling. I know I'd want the touch feature for the sensitive job of picking up IED's and unexploded bombs.

The result will be greatly reduced task times and operator burden, increased dexterity and situational awareness, and reduced training, according to Novint.

"As demand for unmanned military robots continues to grow, Novint's touch technology will play a crucial role in enhancing operator control during mission-tasks such as bomb disposal or surveillance," said Tom Anderson, CEO of Novint Technologies. "iRobot is the leader in developing next-generation robotics capabilities and has delivered more than 2,500 PackBot robots to the military. Novint is pleased to be working alongside iRobot to deliver new capabilities that will help keep soldiers out of harm's way."

By the way, Novint only has 4 employees and isn't anywhere close to being profitable.

Tags: iRobot, Novint

iRobot to Announce Earnings Oct. 21; What I Expect

iRobot announced that it will hold its 3rd Quarter Conference Call tat 8:30 a.m. Oct. 22. The earnings release will go out after markets close on Oct. 21.

What I'm expecting: Lots of questions from analysts about just how dismal the Christmas retail season is looking, and any "color" on potential SUGV orders. My guess is we won't hear a whole lot on either front, and we'll get middling-to-poor retail results from the quarter, partially offset by slightly better-than-expected military orders. Everything I've seen points to consumer retail weakness except for must-have items like the iPhone. And a Roomba is not a must-have item (or if it is, most people don't see it that way yet). There also will almost certainly be a question about the importance of President Obama's decision on Afghanistan to the company, given that the demand for iRobot's products in that mountainous zone appears high (and iRobot's products are more maneuverable than competitors). My guess is the company will say that Afghanistan obviously has some implications for the company, but argue that even if the war in Afghanistan ended tomorrow, the military is committed to eventually upgrading ALL of its combat teams with robots, and with the SUGV in particular!
Someone also might ask about CEO Colin Angle's recent comment where he mused about leaving the company, and his focus on creating robots for older people in an effort, apparently, not to get bored. Given that Angle is the last true ideas guy at the company with Helen Greiner and Rodney Brooks off creating new companies, I'm a bit worried that iRobot doesn't appear to have much of a pipeline beyond continuously upgrading Roomba, Scooba and PackBot lines. Looj is a flop, although perhaps generation three, four or five of that product could hit the mark. The Verro pool robot isn't even an iRobot product but is a rebadged Aquabot. The long-awaited iRobot lawnmower is nowhere to be seen or even buzzed about, the ConnectR was killed in the crib, etc. Cool stuff that people want -- a robot lawnmower for $500, or a shower/tub/toilet cleaner, don't seem in the cards anytime soon. Some of this makes sense -- you just don't bring revolutionary new gadgets to market during a recession when people are scraping money together for groceries. But still, it would be nice to think the company was preparing products for next year or the year after that might have some mass appeal.
One potential positive of course if Angle really is getting bored, is that bored owners tend to think about selling their company and enjoying a multimillion retirement (or a new challenge entirely). I get the sense that Angle wouldn't mind being back in the lab, creating a new Mars rover. And I'm sure the other day he'd rather have watched NASA bomb the moon than to be reading over staff reports on the latest widget orders for PackBot parts, or whether they should stock up on nickel before the economy rebounds.

I do expect the company to reaffirm once again that it expects to scrape up a profit for the full year with essentially flat revenue just shy of $300 million. My sense is the company's footholds in Europe are continuing to do well but are no longer expanding at the blockbuster pace set earlier this year. One bright spot for the company appears to be its relationship with the Home Shopping Network, which I presume must be their top-selling partner. HSN consistently has access to iRobot's newest products and special package deals that are priced well below iRobot's own direct sales operation. iRobot's direct sales -- which drove higher margins two years ago -- appear to be flat IMHO because the company no longer appears willing to have discounts large enough to undercut its network of retailers.

Hear is what I wrote about the third quarter conference call last year, which seems prescient:

They refused to talk really about 2009 guidance really at all, with caveats about a new administration, economy, et al. Paul Coster didn't like that. Asked about future products, Colin says of course they are developing them but he has nothing to announce and made a cryptic comment about making sure they are right-sized and can deliver profitability. I read that as retrenching for now rather than coming out with a lot of new products next year, which may be one reason why Helen and Rodney are gone -- if the focus is on execution on existing widgets instead of creating lots of new widgets, the brainiacs are likely to get bored.

Tags: iRobot, robot

Scooba Battery Problem and Tips

My biggest problem with the iRobot Scooba robotic mop is keeping the battery charged without killing the battery. I'm going to have to buy another battery for $69 -- not because of overusing Scooba, but because I haven't been using Scooba enough. iRobot has told Scooba owners that you should use Scooba at least every 2 weeks to keep the battery fresh. Apparently Nickel batteries like the one used in the Scooba benefit from frequent use. If you aren't going to use it that often, you should charge the Scooba battery, then remove it and store it in a cool dry place until you are ready to use the Scooba. When you want to use it, you should charge it up again right before using it.

Bottom line: Leaving the Scooba plugged in for weeks and months at a time without using it is a recipe for battery failure. There are ways to try and recondition the battery with a special 72-hour or 16-hour cycle, but at some point the battery just isn't fixable and you've got to get a new one. The easiest solution is simply to run Scooba every week like clockwork. That also prevents the rubber components and pump from drying out. (You may have to prime the pump to get Scooba to work properly if you leave it unused for too long - this is easily accomplished with the priming ball included with the Scooba).

Scoobas manufactured before 2006 had a bigger problem, where they overcharged the battery to death even if you used Scooba pretty frequently. That is now less of a problem, provided, like I said, you actually use your Scooba every couple of weeks. The battery is supposed to last for hundreds of cycles, so if yours is crapping out before then, my guess is you've left it charging too long.

Also, the battery should last longer if you recharge Scooba after each use, instead of running it until the battery is completely dead every time. That taxes the battery, although occasionally running the battery down is not a bad thing.

Anyway, for anybody angry at iRobot for the battery issues really shouldn't be -- batteries are finicky creatures. My old cell phone lithium battery would fry up like a fat sausage if it was left charging overnight repeatedly. It's just one of the perils of modern technology. Now, maybe iRobot should make a robot that takes care of Scooba's battery storage, etc., for you (and empties it, fills it, schedules it, etc.), but, first things first. My guess is these things are just a little more common with the Scooba than the Roomba robotic vacuum, which people are more apt to run daily since you can easily schedule Roomba to run every day.

The fact that you can buy a Scooba for a little over $200 and never have to mop again remains a modern miracle, and I'm continually surprised at how few people have actually bought them! They aren't perfect, but the value proposition is still shockingly good. You plug in the robot, add fluid, turn it on, let it clean your floors without complaint, empty fluid, clean robot, done! No more mopping, no more swishing around dirty water, and the proof is in the black water that empties out of the robot! Scooba is still my favorite iRobot product, and my favorite home appliance.

Good luck!

Tags: iRobot, Scooba, Scooba battery

iRobot CEO Colin Angle Discusses Possibility of Leaving, Says Focus is on Robots for Aging Population

iRobot CEO Colin Angle talked about the possibility of doing “something completely different” if he steps down as CEO at the DEMO conference. He said that he's only ever had two jobs -- "wilderness guy" and CEO of iRobot. Angle also said that he is reenergizing himself by focusing on robotics for the aging population.

In the Q&A, he also talks about kids having elective surgery to replace their eyeballs with robotic ones sold at Brookstone (yuck). And he also is clearly interested in inventing NEW stuff. May be one reason why we haven’t seen the darn iRobot lawnmower yet -- cuz somebody else invented one first? He also, humorous to us iRobot blog junkies, said he doesn’t read blogs because if he did he’d be manic depressive. (Fun for us: iRobot Co-Founder (and Droid Works CEO) Helen Greiner has subscribed to our Twitter feed. Hey there!)

Here is the video:



And here's a recent interview with Colin Angle in Europe talking up the Roomba (no actual news):



Tags: iRobot, robot

iRobot Gets Another Grant, Plans Sniper Upgrades

The Boston Globe reported last week that iRobot has received another grant for upgrading its PackBot technology, and the company's sniper detection technology got a mention as one area for improvement. Link here.

Tags: iRobot, robot

iRobot Clamps Down on Hiring

iRobot has just 12 job listings on its web site, far below the 30-50 it usually has. Either this is a bad sign (economy sucks so they have to keep a tighter lid on expenses), or management has finally decided making more profits than they promised would be a good thing.

Check it out.

Tags: iRobot, robot

New iRobot Warrior Promo Video

iRobot has a new promo vide of the iRobot Warrior at its web site. Take a look.

Tags: iRobot, robot

iRobot CEO Colin Angle, Co-Founder Rodney Brooks talk about surviving a recession

Colin Angle and Rodney Brooks recently sat down with Mass High Tech. Article notes the company originally wanted to send robots to the moon and sell the movie rights.

Tags: iRobot, robot

Consumer Reports doesn't like the Looj

Consumer Reports reviewed the Looj 155 gutter cleaning robot in the October 2009 magazine issue. The review complained about various features of the Looj, saying that the remote sometimes didn't work beyond 15 feet, that the Looj took a while to clean the gutter, sometimes needed rescuing, and sometimes sprayed stuff back onto the roof instead of in the yard. Then you have to clean up the stuff after it sprays it into the yard. But they did not dismiss the product entirely, saying that it would be most useful for hard-to-reach gutters. I'd say it's best for someone who doesn't want to pay somebody else to clean their gutters at a price that tops the Looj's (about $129+), pay the fortune that gutter covers cost, or already have their own system for cleaning. I do think that this product can continue to evolve and get better over time. Hoping iRobot sticks it out.

Tags: iRobot, Looj

Is Boston Dynamics' Precision Urban Hopper competition for iRobot?

A small, nimble robot called the Precision Urban Hopper, which can leap two stories in a single bound despite being smaller than a PackBot, is making a splash on TV via a BBC video. Check it out at Gizmodo.

Seems like Boston Dynamics, which also has developed the freaky Big Dog robotic pack mule, is thinking of muscling in on the small robot scene currently dominated by iRobot.

Tags: iRobot, robot, Boston Dynamics

Robotics Rodeo features iRobot SUGV

iRobot's SUGV and PackBot 510 with FasTac kit were featured at a robotics rodeo last week held by the U.S. Army.

Key quote: “We've all fought and we've lost friends on places where unmanned ground vehicles could have done the task equally well, and I regret that like you'll never know,” Lynch, who lost 153 GIs while leading the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq, told the men. “If I had done a better job fielding unmanned ground vehicles, those young people would still be alive.”

An iRobot exec also is quoted talking about the problem with small robots being that the enemy could pick it up and carry it away as a war trophy in an urban environment. (Sounds like a great idea -- send in a fleet of 'em as Trojan Horses with radio tracking so you find the enemy lair! Easy.)

The Houston Chronicle has the story.

Also of note, the R-Gator also made an appearance. That model, a John Deere/iRobot collaboration, has been in the prototype stage for years now but hasn't been able to generate real-world orders of consequence.

Tags: iRobot, robot, SUGV

iRobot Launching "SPARK" Program to Ramp Up Robotics Education

Here's some real exciting news -- iRobot is getting ready to debut a major new effort to kickstart robotics education. It's called SPARK, and iRobot is testing a new website to go along with the effort, with what looks like a dozen major partner. The website is at this link. Let me know what you think in this post's comments. I like it.

Tags: iRobot, robot, robotics, education

iRobot CEO Colin Angle Says Robot Nurses will Cut Health Care Costs

Health care is a $2.2 trillion a year business. iRobot CEO Colin Angle tells CNET's Erica Ogg that robotic nurses can help cut those costs. She includes a photo of a prototype that looks like an iRobot LE (a telepresence robot first developed in 2000).

We know that iRobot has been developing such a robot, called the iRobot CiCi, and have reported that on the blog in the past, but unknown is when iRobot will actually bring such a device to market. A couple years back, Angle predicted that this year would be the year devices in the $1,000 range would make their debut.

Given that health care is perhaps the only really healthy sector of the economy, it would be great for the stock, if nothing else, if iRobot announced a serious competitor here. Even better if they could get Medicare to approve the device for reimbursement.

Tags: iRobot, robot, Medicare, nursing, health

Blog on Vacation

Sorry about the lack of updates. I've been enjoying August, but expect more updates shortly.

iRobot has won several important government contract orders recently, but the big kahuna for this stock remains the forthcoming SUGV contract, which is make or break for the stock. That -- and any sign that retail is making a recovery for Christmas, that is...Too bad there is no cash for clunker vacuums!

-Thorn

Tags: iRobot

Creepy iRobot Baby Photo Shows Why Robot Babies Didn't Sell

If you were creeped out by Steven Spielberg's epic "A.I." you'll feel even creepier after viewing this icky photo of a blogger at iRobot's headquarters pulling the plastic back from the head of "My Real Baby" -- the company's long-since aborted robotic baby toy project.

It looks like it should be in a horror film. Great photo comes courtesy of the Mommy Bloggers who iRobot invited to Boston in an effort to juice positive buzz among women.

Tags: iRobot, robot, baby

Youtube Video: Cat, Baby Chick Coexist on Roomba Robot Vacuum

Remember the "Roomba Driver" Cat? Well, turns out Roomba may be the key to Roomba-bird peace! Check it out:

Tags: iRobot, robot, cat, bird, Roomba

iRobot Poll shows robot lawnmower, shower bathroom cleaning robot top desires

Robot Stock News' latest reader poll showed about 1/3rd of readers want iRobot to come out with a robotic lawnmower next, and another third want a shower/bathroom cleaning robot. The shower cleaner would certainly be more innovative, as I'm not aware of a true robot that does that yet, but I thought the lawnmower would have had more support. I also thought we'd see more interest in a home sentry robot, but less than 10 percent suggested that was their top pick. RSN polls are along the right side of the blog. Past polls are at the bottom right. Suggestions for the next poll? Leave them in the comments. Thanks!

Tags: iRobot, robot

iRobot Stock Drops After 2nd Quarter Earnings; Has SUGV Rollout Been Shrunk?

iRobot's stock took a big hit yesterday after it reported decent, but not great earnings and reaffirmed its revenue and profit guidance for the full year despite truly dismal domestic home robot sales.

But what appears to be hitting the stock is a concern that Congress may not fund the SUGV at levels that the Pentagon has requested. The Pentagon's budget request is for $125 million for unmanned ground vehicles leftover from the defunct Future Combat Systems, which, as I understand it, would be split between the SUGV and the Lockheed Martin MULE.

According to iRobot CEO Colin Angle during the conference call (transcript), the Pentagon's plan is to initially roll out the SUGV to seven combat brigades and eventually to all combat brigades, but a formal production decision isn't expected until later this year, although the company is starting to deliver small numbers of SUGV 310s to the military, including 10 in the most recent quarter.

But I think this exchange in the conference call is what hit the stock:

Josephine Millward - Dougherty & Company

Colin, you talked about the spinouts seven infantry brigade combat teams. Do you expect, when you get your low rate initial production order, do you expect to receive an order to supply seven brigades because so far I think the defense budget markup has only provided funding for one brigade next year?

Colin Angle

Well, things are currently influx and information on exactly how many brigades seem to change, so I'm uncomfortable giving you a strong answer on that one.

Colin's weak answer doesn't inspire confidence. And Millward immediately after the conference call downgraded the stock to Sell. I've been trying to confirm her contention that the markup cut funding to one brigade. I combed the House Defense bill and summaries on the House Appropriations web site and couldn't find any mention of the program, either on the funded list or the cut list.

As I've said frequently, this year is all about the SUGV as far as the stock price is concerned, given the potential for $500 million - $1 billion+ in contract orders over the next five years on that one product alone. The most the company can hope to do otherwise is tread water amid a terrible economy, and that's what they've done (and admirably boosted its cash position and trimmed some fat).

If Millward's info is accurate, that would be a serious blow to our hopes of seeing $20 for IRBT this year. Of course, there's always next year, and there's always the chance they can do better in the Senate, or in conference...

Tags: iRobot, SUGV, Army, robot