The contract calls for the manufacture of remotely controlled BomBot units that can be rapidly deployed to place explosive charges on or near an improvised explosive device (IED) without exposing the operator to danger.

Innovative Response Technologies Inc. (IRT), a wholly owned subsidiary of the WVHTC Foundation, was awarded the contract by the U.S. Navy EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) Technology Division.

"Without these robots, EOD technicians would have to manually place an explosive charge to destroy an IED," ssaid WVHTC Foundation President and CEO James L. Estep.

"Instead, the IED can be destroyed by approaching it remotely using a BomBot, a highly mobile vehicle that can keep the person operating the vehicle and other soldiers out of harm's way. Additionally, we can manufacture the BomBot at a fraction of the cost of the robots that have been used for these purposes in the past."

According to the WVHTC, earlier versions of robots cost more than $100,000 to build, while the BomBot costs under $5,000. And while many current robotic systems are large and must be transported on a HumVee or by trailer and can move at speeds of only a few miles an hour, Estep said the BomBot is a miniature, modified, 4x4, remote controlled truck that has been equipped with a camera that can pan and tilt.

Weighing about 15 pounds and measuring 20 inches by 20 inches in size, the BomBot can reach speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour and is able to quickly and more covertly place a device near an IED to destroy it, Estep said.

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