iRobot Corp. (Nasdaq:IRBT) Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Colin Angle today unveiled two new home robots during his keynote address. The iRobot® Looj 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.
iRobot ConnectR Pilot Program
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.
Images and B-Roll
High-resolution images can be found at http://www.irobot.com/creative_assets. Looj product b-roll can be downloaded from www.thenewsmarket.com/iRobot.
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 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. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, iRobot Corp.'s expectations concerning product development and marketing plans, its business outlook and business momentum, the commercial launch of its products, market acceptance of its products and management's plans, objectives and strategies. 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. In particular, the risks and uncertainties include, among other things: our ability to enhance our current consumer robots or develop new consumer robots; and our ability to expand our product offering beyond our current markets. 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 Corp. 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 Corp., 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.
FACT SHEET New iRobot Looj Gutter Cleaning Robot and iRobot ConnectR Virtual Visiting Robot
Product Backgrounder
On Sept, 27, 2007, iRobot Corp. (Nasdaq: IRBT) expanded its Home Robots portfolio with two new products that continue iRobot's promise to deliver customers practical and affordable robots that simplify home life. Details and prices of new products are provided below. More information, including high-resolution images, is available at http://www.irobot.com/creative_assets. Product b-roll can be downloaded from www.thenewsmarket.com/iRobot.
iRobot® Looj Gutter Cleaning Robot
Priced from $99, the iRobot Looj Gutter Cleaning Robot is designed to make gutter cleaning faster and easier. Controlled by a remote control that doubles as a detachable handle, the Looj drives through the gutter, under most gutter straps, to sweep out dirt and debris. With a fast spinning bi-directional auger, the Looj can clean up to a 60-foot section of gutter in 10 minutes.
Product features include:
- Approximately 2.25-inches high and 3.25-inches wide, Looj propels itself through gutters, under gutter straps and over downspout holes
- Fits standard K-style gutters in aluminum, copper, metal or vinyl
- Three-stage spinning auger features speeds up to 500RPM (revolutions per minute) to break up clogs, lift out debris and brush gutters clean
- Waterproof in up to one foot of water
- Detachable handle doubles as wireless remote control
- Bi-directional auger controls forward and backward movement of the robot to ensure debris is thrown out of the gutter and away from the home
- Optional holster accessory enables the user to keep both hands on the ladder while climbing and descending
- Pricing:
- The entry Looj 120 model is priced at $99
- Looj 130 includes the holster accessory for $129
- Looj 150 includes the holster accessory, one extra auger and an extra battery. It is priced at $169.
Availability
The iRobot Looj Gutter Cleaning Robot is available immediately in the U.S. at www.irobot.com, and in select retailers in the fourth quarter of 2007.
iRobot® ConnectR Virtual Visiting Robot
The iRobot ConnectR enables today's busy families and individuals to be virtually in two places at once. Featuring a small, mobile platform, the ConnectR sits in a home charging base and is ready to communicate on command. Activated via remote control or by a remote user over the Internet, ConnectR delivers a multi-sensory audio and video communication experience between home and remote users. Whether working late at the office, away on a business trip, or living far from children or friends, the ConnectR robot is a new, fun way for families and friends to stay better connected.
Features of ConnectR include:
- Easy out-of-the-box installation and use
- Encrypted password protection ensures all communications are completely secure
- Two-way audio and a video camera connects both at-home and remote users over the Internet
- Headset microphone and joystick for easy control of the ConnectR from a remote location
- Camera features 4X zoom capability and 230-degrees of tilt for wide-angle and close-up viewing
- Headlight for driving ConnectR through dark rooms
- Remote control enables at-home person to activate privacy mode, call a remote user and drive ConnectR for virtual tours around the home
- Privacy mode can be enabled should the at-home person wish to not be disturbed; the unit's audio and video features can also be turned off to disable access
- Battery and self-charging base standard. Low battery indicator automatically returns ConnectR to its home base to recharge.
iRobot ConnectR Pilot Program
In late 2007, a limited number of ConnectR robots will become available from iRobot as part of the ConnectR Pilot Program. Select participants in this pilot 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.
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 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. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, iRobot Corp.'s expectations concerning product development and marketing plans, its business outlook and business momentum, the commercial launch of its products, market acceptance of its products and management's plans, objectives and strategies. 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. In particular, the risks and uncertainties include, among other things: our ability to enhance our current consumer robots or develop new consumer robots; and our ability to expand our product offering beyond our current markets. 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 Corp. 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 Corp., 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.
