Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Arm Yourself, iRobot!

By Jack Uldrich – Updated Nov 14, 2016 at 10:27PM

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Gun-toting military robots could be a lucrative market.

Unfortunately for Motley Fool Rule Breakers selection iRobot (NASDAQ:IRBT), the future of battlefield bots is looking less like R2-D2, and more like the Terminator.

According to National Defense magazine, earlier this summer, the U.S. Army quietly began introducing the first gun-toting robots into actual combat situations. The article states that only three of the robots have been deployed so far, and none has yet fired a weapon in combat. Nevertheless, the event marks a major milestone, one I think could spell bad news for iRobot.

The deployed robot, dubbed SWORD, is manufactured by rival Foster-Miller. iRobot also builds robots for the Army; its models can dispose of roadside bombs and perform various reconnaissance duties. But to my knowledge, none of iRobot's models are currently packing heat.

I'm admittedly uneasy about the prospect of armed robots inflicting mortal injury on humans -- but I also feel that widespread deployment in this capacity is almost inevitable. Why risk the lives of human soldiers by sending them into abandoned buildings in Baghdad or caves in Afghanistan when a robot can do the same job?

Apparently, the U.S. Army is thinking the same thing, since it's already approved SWORD robots for battlefield use. Reception among soldiers has been so positive that the Army wants another 20 more immediately, and it's already authorized the purchase of a total of 80 additional robots. As part of its $127 billion Future Combat System Program, the Pentagon is also predicting that robots will compose one-third of our fighting force by 2015.

Sure, iRobot can still grow by simply deploying newer versions of its IED-removing PackBot. On the home front, it still has its Roomba and Scooba robots, too. But if it wants to keep pace with Foster-Miller, it would seem to me that its military Bots had better start packing some heat soon. Otherwise, iRobot could risk saying "hasta la vista, baby" to a growing and potentially profitable opportunity.

Further Foolishness:

Get a glimpse of the future with the latest cutting-edge investments from Motley Fool Rule Breakers. David Gardner and his Foolish team search the frontiers of high technology for big growth opportunities. See all their discoveries with a free 30-day trial.

Fool contributor Jack Uldrich fondly recalls his days of playing Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots, but he has no interest in messing with an armed robot. Jack owns stock in iRobot. The Fool has a fully loaded disclosure policy and isn't afraid to use it.

None

Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool

Join Over 1 Million Premium Members Receiving…

  • New Stock Picks Each Month
  • Detailed Analysis of Companies
  • Model Portfolios
  • Live Streaming During Market Hours
  • And Much More
Get Started Now

Stocks Mentioned

iRobot Stock Quote
iRobot
IRBT
$57.81 (-0.34%) $0.20

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

Related Articles

Motley Fool Returns

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

Market-beating stocks from our award-winning analyst team.

Stock Advisor Returns
329%
 
S&P 500 Returns
106%

Calculated by average return of all stock recommendations since inception of the Stock Advisor service in February of 2002. Returns as of 09/24/2022.

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.