Army tests iRobot reconnaissance robot

iRobot Corp. announced that the U.S. Army has accelerated its testing schedules for the company’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) robot development program. The updated plan calls for the delivery of 25 robots by April 2008. FCS SUGV is a tactical reconnaissance robot designed to assist soldiers in obtaining intelligence in dangerous areas. It offers video sensors for real-time day/night tactical situational awareness and weighs 30 lbs., according to the company.