According to Roboteam executives, the MTGR weighs less than 20 pounds, carries its weight in payload and is built to clear obstacles, climb stairs and conduct complex maneuvers in extreme terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After competing for more than two years with America’s leading robot providers, an Israeli newcomer to the industry through its US subsidiary has snagged a $25 million US Air Force contract to provide its man-portable, stair-climbing, battle-tested system in support of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a contract announced by the Pentagon late last week and confirmed Sunday by Tel Aviv-based Roboteam, the firm’s US subsidiary will provide up to 250 of its anti-IED Micro Tactical Ground Robots (MTGR) through 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Established in late 2009 as a boutique provider of optronics, robotics and intuitive imaging, Roboteam beat out much larger and more established US firms Foster Miller, a subsidiary of British QinetiQ; and Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“For the last two and a half\u00a0years, we’ve been working intensively to provide the most operationally effective, lightweight, intuitive system that is cost-attractive and very simple to operate,” said Shahar Abuhazira, chief executive of Roboteam’s North America subsidiary based in Gaithersburg, Maryland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a Sept. 20 interview, Abuhazira \u2014 a veteran of Israel’s summer 2014 Gaza war where he served as an infantry company commander in support of the urban, anti-tunnel campaign \u2014 said the firm’s MTGR has amassed hundreds of operational hours here and in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Roboteam North America is pleased and extremely honored to receive this award from the US Air Force and the credit goes to our amazing engineers and the support team,” said Abuhazira.\u00a0“We put the needs of the warfighters first and foremost and I believe the USAF recognized this in their selection process.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two years ago, Roboteam’s MTGR was tapped for fast-tracked fielding to US special operations forces and the US Department of Homeland Security. The Pentagon’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) announced in September 2013 that it had <\/span>earmarked 100 of the firm’s micro robots for “priority fielding” to special operations and EOD warriors, while another 35 were to be destined for domestic use by interagency tactical units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Roboteam executives, the MTGR weighs less than 20 pounds, carries its weight in payload and is built to clear obstacles, climb stairs and conduct complex maneuvers in extreme terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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