The iRobot packbot is a purely military robot, with over 2000 in service at
time of writing. One of iRobot's flagship robots for 2007-2009, this is essentially
a scouting reconnaissance robot, with a remote controlled maniplatory arm that
has nine degrees of freedom.
If you've seen a robot disarming a bomb, chances are the robot was a packbot.
They are utilized in any situation where human lives could be endangered. Better
to send a brainless robot - yes, brainless, it has no real AI - in to deal with
the situation instead. Whilst military, Packbot has no offensive weaponry, nor
are there plans to give it any.
The latest version at time of writing, the PackBot 510 improves over its predecessor
by offering a 30% increased speed, twice the gripping strength and weight lifting
prowess. It is also the first such to be controlled with what looks suspiciously
like a PS2 joypad. This is to ease familiarity with the robot's control in soldiers
who grew up playing on the console. The joypad possesses six analogue axes,
tilt sensors, as well as ten pressure sensitive buttons, with another four on-off
toggle buttons, so it has enough controls to be remapped to the Packbot, and
its arm without requiring additional controls.
The company provides the bots with the following swappable kits, for duifferent
operations:
PackBot 510 with EOD Bomb Disposal Kit
PackBot 510 with Fast Tactical Maneuvering Kit
PackBot 510 with First Responder Kit
PackBot 510 with HazMat Detection Kit
PackBot 510 with Fido Explosives Detector
PackBot 510 with REDOWL Sniper Detection Kit
Basic Packbot with no additions
The bot itself is extremely rugged, and is designed to drop repeatedly from up
to six feet up onto solid concrete with no damage. Without any additional packs,
it weighs in at 40lb or 18kg .
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