The iRobot ConnectR Virtual Visiting Robot at the DigitalLife event in New York. The new virtual communications robot is designed to keep busy people connected with home, family and friends whether on the road or working late at work.
iRobot Corp. co-Founder and CEO Colin Angle today unveiled two new home robots during his keynote address at the DigitalLife event in New York. The iRobot Loo Gutter Cleaning Robot and iRobot ConnectR Virtual Visiting Robot further expand the company's line of home robots. These robots introduce a whole new category of household assistants that are more than appliances. Angle also shared the company's vision for "the iRobot Home" during his highly anticipated keynote address.
Building on the success of the company's iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaning Robot, with more than 2 million units sold to date, today's introductions expand iRobot's home product lineup to include six different robots that simplify the care, maintenance and communication needs of home owners.
"I'm here to demystify the notion that robots in the home are a promise of tomorrow. Today iRobot is delivering to customers practical home robots that are affordable, effective and easy-to-use," said Angle. "The future is now -- and everyone can and should have a robot in their home today."
A first of its kind, the iRobot Looj Gutter Cleaning Robot is designed to simplify the difficult and dangerous job of gutter cleaning. The Looj cleans an entire stretch of gutter from one location, reducing the number of times a ladder must be repositioned and climbed during gutter cleaning. The 2.25-inch high Looj drives easily under gutter straps propelled by a three-stage auger that dislodges and sweeps out dirt, leaves and other debris that can cause costly water damage, overspills and ice dams.
The Looj also features a detachable handle that doubles as a wireless remote control, providing full control of the robot while cleaning. With a starting price under $100, the Looj is available immediately in the U.S. from www.irobot.com and in select retailers in the fourth quarter of 2007.
The iRobot ConnectR marks the company's entry into a new category of virtual communication and interaction, a significant step beyond its traditional universe of cleaning and maintenance. ConnectR is a new kind of communications system designed for today's busy families and individuals seeking greater connection and involvement with kids, grandchildren, friends and pets.
The ConnectR links easily to a home wireless network and provides VOIP-quality video and two way audio communications with a remote person. Similar in scale to the Roomba, the ConnectR features a top-mounted, full tilt-and-zoom video camera, speaker, microphone and headlight to enable users to see, hear and interact with people in the home as if there in person. The ConnectR is simple to operate via included ConnectR software, enabling remote users to "call" and drive the ConnectR around the home using a computer keyboard, mouse or joystick. Like other iRobot home robots, the ConnectR has a charging base located in the home. When the ConnectR's battery runs low, the unit automatically returns to the home base to charge.
In late 2007, a limited number of ConnectR robots will be available from iRobot as part of the ConnectR Pilot Program. Select participants in this home experience program will have the opportunity to home test and purchase the ConnectR for $199. More information on the ConnectR Pilot Program is available at www.irobot.com.
The ConnectR will become broadly available in early 2008 through iRobot and select retail partners with a starting price of under $500.
