EDINA, Minn.--()--ReconRobotics, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a $1.7 million contract for 126 Recon Scout® XT micro-robot kits from the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office (RS JPO) on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps. This is the largest Marine Corps order in the company’s history, and it follows four U.S. Army orders placed in the last six months totaling more than 1,800 micro-robots. ReconRobotics plans to complete deliveries on this latest order by April 30, 2012.
Driving this series of orders are soldier requirements for throwable micro-robot systems that are much smaller and easier to deploy than the 30- to 60-lb Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles (SUGVs) that were widely used over the last decade. Unlike the SUGV, the 1.2-lb (540g) Recon Scout XT micro-robot is deployed at the fire-team level – i.e., one robot for every four to five soldiers – to provide situational awareness and standoff distance as the team clears compounds, investigates suspected IEDs, or searches attics, culverts and crawl spaces. The XT can thrown up to 120 feet (36m) and can see in complete darkness. Once deployed, the robot can quietly move through an environment and transmit video reconnaissance through walls and doors to a small handheld operator control unit while the solider remains in protective cover.
"The XT is sublimely small, simple and durable, and it has been proven to provide tremendous lifesaving capability without materially increasing the soldier’s burden,” said Ernest Langdon, Director of Military Programs for ReconRobotics. "We could not be more proud about this opportunity to equip our Marines as they conduct their operations in active combat theatres.”
The Recon Scout XT is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product that is also used by nearly 400 law enforcement agencies during high-risk tactical operations such as hostage rescues, barricaded subject situations and narcotics raids.
About ReconRobotics, Inc.
ReconRobotics is the world leader in tactical, micro-robot systems. The company’s Recon Scout® Throwbot® systems save lives by providing immediate situational awareness and greater standoff distance to warfighters and law enforcement personnel. These capabilities protect personnel from hidden threats, enhance mission planning and execution, and minimize collateral damage. The company was formed in 2006 to commercialize robotics technology developed at the University of Minnesota Distributed Robotics Laboratory under funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). ReconRobotics is based in Edina, Minnesota, USA and markets its products through a distribution network in 33 countries.
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