iRobot At a Glance
Founded in 1990 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology roboticists, iRobot Corp. specializes in behavior-based robots that help people complete tasks with better results. Powered by iRobot's unique AWARET Robot Intelligence Systems, the company's robots can navigate in complex and dynamic real-world situations. To date, the company has sold more than 2 million iRobot Roomba® Vacuuming Robots worldwide, making it the best-selling consumer robot in history. Also, more than 700 iRobot PackBot® Tactical Mobile Robots have been delivered to a broad range of military and civilian customers around the world. These robots have performed tens of thousands of missions and are credited with saving scores lives.
REVENUE GROWTH
- 2006 - Revenues grew 33 percent to $189 million from $142 million in 2005.
- 2005 - Revenue grew 49 percent to nearly $142 million, compared to $95 million in 2004.
- 2004 - Revenue grew 74.9 percent to $95 million, compared to $54.3 million in 2003.
COMPANY MILESTONES
- 1990 - Co-founders Colin Angle, Helen Greiner and Rodney Brooks launch the robot company.
- 1991 - iRobot unveils its first robot, Genghis, designed for extraterrestrial exploration.
- 1996 - iRobot develops Ariel, a robot that detects and eliminates mines in surf zones. Crab-like legs allow it to scramble over obstacles and remain in an upright position.
- 1998 - iRobot receives a DARPA contract for the tactical mobile robot program, eventually leading to the development of the iRobot PackBot®.
- September 2001 - iRobot PackBot leaves the lab and searches the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York City after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
- June 2002 - iRobot PackBot goes abroad and is deployed in Afghanistan
- September 2002 - In cooperation with the National Geographic Society, iRobot designs a robot to search the Great Pyramids of Egypt. The live event is televised globally.
- September 2002 - The company introduces the iRobot Roomba® Vacuuming Robot, the first practical and affordable home robot.
- April 2004 - iRobot signs a contract to develop a Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems program.
- September 2004 - The company introduces the iRobot Roomba Discovery series, with features such as Dirt Detect and a self-charging Home Base.
- October 2004 - Sales of iRobot Roomba Vacuuming Robots surpass 1 million units.
- October 2004 - iRobot teams with Deere & Company to develop the iRobot John Deere R-Gator™, an 1,500 pound robotized utility vehicle currently used for perimeter security missions.
- May 2005 - iRobot unveils the iRobot Scooba®, the world's first floor washing robot for the home.
- November 2005 - iRobot begins trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol "IRBT."
- May 2006 - Sales of iRobot home robots surpass 2 million units.
- September 2006 - iRobot releases the iRobot Dirt Dog™ Workshop Robot for garages, basements and workbench zones.
- January 2007 - iRobot releases the iRobot CreateT programmable robot designed for aspiring roboticists, students and developers.
- April 2007 - iRobot releases the iRobot Verro™ Pool Cleaning Robot.
- May 2007 - Worldwide deliveries of iRobot PackBot robots surpass 1,000 units.
