StrategyPage posts on SUGV

Another fine article on iRobot's new SUGV, already shipping, at Strategy Page.
(Thx, Micro)

Here's a clip:

SUGV can also perform outpost and listening post work. These are two dangerous jobs the infantry are glad to hand off to a robot. Outposts are, as the name implies, one or two troops dug in a hundred meters or so from the main position, to give early warning of an enemy attack. A listening post is similar, but the friendly troops are often much deeper into enemy territory. The SUGV battery enables it to just sit in one place, listening and watching, for eight hour or more. After that, you send out another SUGV with a fresh battery, and have the other one come back for a recharge. No risk of troops getting shot at while doing the same things, and the troops really appreciate that. Other dangerous jobs for the SUGV are placing explosives by a door (to blow it open for the troops), or placing a smoke grenade where it will prevent the enemy from seeing the troops move.

The SUGV along with the xBot has the potential to drive exponential growth for iRobot's military robotics business. A key go/no-go decision is expected in September. I'm placing my bets on "go," of course. This one contract has the potential to be worth the entire value of iRobot's current stock price. Once you are the established vendor for a key piece of military hardware, you can end up with near-endless upgrade cycles, spare parts sales, scale advantages, etc.

Tags: iRobot, SUGV