Developers Choose iRobot Platforms to Create Robot Applications

Programmers Showcase New Applications at RoboBusiness Conference and Exposition
 

PITTSBURGH, PA, June, 19, 2023 - The increasing adoption of robots that do dull, dirty and dangerous tasks has sparked a new class of developers, creating a variety of innovative robot applications. iRobot Corp.'s (Nasdaq:IRBT) world-renowned robots and iRobot AWARE(TM) Robot Intelligence Systems have emerged as the platforms of choice for this activity. iRobot has also released the iRobot Roomba(R) Open Interface to encourage developers to create this new generation of applications.

The iRobot Roomba Open Interface is a serial protocol that allows developers and roboticists to use the Roomba Vacuuming Robot as a platform to implement their ideas, without having to build a robot from scratch. Using the Open Interface, a developer can remotely monitor the robot's sensors and control its motors.

In addition, the iRobot PackBot(R) is also gaining popularity for its modular architecture, which allows developers to integrate various payload capabilities onto the robot to help keep first responders and troops out of harm's way.

"With the growing popularity of robots, more people would like to see robots handle the dull, dirty and dangerous tasks," said Helen Greiner, co-founder and chairman, iRobot. "These interfaces to our robots give developers a head start on creating cool and practical applications quickly -- contributions that will significantly benefit the robot industry and customers."

At this week's RoboBusiness Conference and Exposition, participants will view many of these new applications in the iRobot Developers booth, located at Grand Station 5, TT-18 and 19. All Roomba robots manufactured after October 2005 come equipped with the Open Interface. For additional details on the Open Interface, please visit https://www.irobot.com.

Home Robots
Robot enthusiasts have already taken advantage of iRobot Roomba's versatility to build a variety of applications that allow the robot to do more than just clean floors.

For example, Mind Control for iRobot Roomba, created by Element Products, Inc., lets you take command of your Roomba robot. This small and powerful device plugs into Roomba's expansion port and lets you write custom programs for Roomba in C and C languages. It includes sample programs that allow teachers and hobbyists to drive the Roomba in patterns, monitor sensors and turn Roomba into a musical instrument (https://www.elementdirect.com).

Roomba DevTools, by Robodynamics, is a set of development tools that allow users to control the Roomba platform right from their computers via Bluetooth, USB or serial interfaces (https://www.roombadevtools.com).

Government and Industrial Robots
Government, university and private sector labs are developing payloads on iRobot PackBot's digital architecture platform to cater to the needs of first responders and U.S. troops. Several organizations have built various payload prototypes for the PackBot, including systems for sniper detection and chemical detection.

The Photonics Center at Boston University, along with Insight Technology and BioMimetic Systems, has developed a payload prototype dubbed the REDOWL (Robot Enhanced Detection Outpost with Lasers) for the iRobot PackBot. It is an acoustic detection system that allows soldiers and first responders to locate snipers and mortars once the first shot is fired at personnel or vehicles.

Also, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center has selected the PackBot EOD robot as the platform of choice to create a new radiation and chemical detection payload to safely detect compounds while keeping first responders out of harm's way. Edgewood Chemical Biological Center is based at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., home to the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command.

About iRobot Corp.
iRobot is a provider of robots that perform dull, dirty or dangerous missions in a better way. The company's proprietary technology, iRobot AWARE Robot Intelligence Systems, incorporates advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. This proprietary system enables iRobot to build behavior-based robots, including its family of consumer and military robots. For additional information about iRobot, please visit https://www.irobot.com.

For iRobot Investors
Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. iRobot Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by iRobot Corporation, see the disclosure contained in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

iRobot Corp.
Parna Sarkar, 781-418-3135
 
or
A&R Partners for iRobot Corp.
Charlotte Crivelli, 212-905-6147