Forbes say iRobot is developing a robotic lawnmower!

We've had hints of this in the past, but this would be great news...

iRobot Corp. (IRBT) posted better-than-expected 2nd Quarter results on the strength of Roomba, Scooba and PackBot robots. The link includes all the details from the company's conference call, including new plans for an explosive sniffer for PackBot, the bomb disposal robot on station in Iraq.

iRobot has launched a new black Roomba with a dust bin detector that lets you know when you need to empty it.

iRobot has also launched a new, lower-end Scooba, called the Scooba 5800.

iRobot is set to release a new top-end Roomba model, Roomba Review reports.

I blogged about it here.

Also, Microsoft has launched yet another salvo in its efforts to gain dominance over robotics, this time by assimilating academia.

Korea is developing Cheap network robot companions that will be available starting this fall...

iRobot Corp. is adding weapons to the Packbot.

The company also is talking up hacking the Roomba and other Packbot doodads, like sniper and chemical weapons detection, at the Robobusiness Conference in Pittsburgh.

Korea has unveiled new military battlebots

iRobot wins a $64 million defense contract for its Packbot bomb disposal robot, a week after a $65 million contract was awarded for Foster- Miller's Talon robot.

iRobot appears to be developing a laundry folding robot, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

iRobot has now sold 2 million Roombas