21st May 2013

Military robots to patrol the World Cup 2014

U.S. robotics company iRobot has won $7.2 million in contracts from the Brazilian government as the country prepares to host the FIFA World Cup.

iRobot are probably best known for their autonomous home vacuum cleaner (the Roomba). However, they also develop a range of military and police robots. As part of a massive security operation, the contract includes 30 PackBot robots, similar to those used in Afghanistan, Iraq and the inside of Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant. The machines will work alongside thousands of soldiers patrolling the host cities, performing surveillance and examining suspicious objects.

Since they were first deployed, at the World Trade Center in the aftermath of 9/11, more than 4,500 PackBots have been delivered to military and civil defence forces worldwide. They are credited with saving countless lives in theatre while performing bomb disposal and other dangerous missions. They can operate in a variety of environments when needed for troops and public safety professionals – enhancing situational awareness, reducing risk and increasing mission success.

"iRobot continues its international expansion, and Brazil represents an important market for the company’s unmanned ground vehicles," said Frank Wilson, senior vice president and general manager of iRobot’s Defense & Security business unit. "iRobot is excited to be providing the company’s state-of-the-art robotic technologies to Brazil as the country prepares for several high profile international events, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup."

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