Robotic Rollouts

"Venture capitalists tend to be fairly conservative people -- despite their reputation for risk taking. Consequently, few robot-makers have received venture funding. In fact, it's possible that many VCs put robot business models on a par with time travel and jet-pack transportation.
With the announcement of a $115 million IPO by Burlington, MA-based iRobot, though, companies commercializing robot technology are beginning to attract VC attention. On his blog Feld Thoughts, venture capitalist Brad Feld admits to such hindsight: iRobot will go down in my history as one of those companies I was too stupid to invest in...Robotic Vacuum Cleaner? C'mon.'
iRobot is the breakaway leader in the commercial robots market. The company has shipped more than 1.2 million Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners, each retailing for $150-275. iRobots has also launched a robotic mop, and it has a line of costly military-grade robots. To top off its already-booming sales, the company will be launching a large 'I love Robots' ad campaign.
Another robot company, Zoom Systems, raised $12 million in September. Zoom also signed on the chief financial officer of retailer Mervyns' as its own CFO. The company makes and operates robotic kiosks often located in hotels and airports, which function as automated convenience stores. In addition to snacks and drinks, the kiosks sell high-end items such as iPod Minis, with price points up to $500. The company hopes to have 10,000 machines in place by 2010. "

[Technology Review]