I have little to zero knowledge of robots but possibly have the opportunity of picking up a functioning iRobot negotiator with controllers, batteries, extra tracks, cameras, etc. Is there a market for these in the civilian world or at the very least could it be used for parts? Could anyone give me an idea of what one might be worth. I believe they were about $20k brand new. Thanks in advance for your help and sorry for my ignorance.
Tim
You are correct that the MSRP starts at around $20k USD and the intended market is primarily police and SWAT (incl bomb disposal) for remote inspection. Accessories like a pan/tilt, chemican detection, night vision and lights further increase the price. If the robot is fully operational, it’s best to keep it intact and not use it for parts. This is because the target market for parts is already covered by the manufacturer directly and few companies or organizations would risk obtaining damaged OEM parts. This leaves the hobby market where comparable parts are considerably less expensive. Should it not work, check that the battery can retain a charge. If you would not use it yourself and might look for a buyer, consider contacting a few local police stations, fire departments etc.
Curious (if you’re willing to share), what’s the seller’s asking price?
Well, it’s actually an auction for two of them. One of them is fully functioning and the other says the control unit won’t power up…see below. Honestly I was just hoping to pick them up at a good price and flip them for a profit.
1 - Functioning Robot and Operator Control Unit
1 - Functioning Robot, but Operator Control Unit will not power on
3 - Additional Cameras
8 - Batteries
2 - Pelican storage cases
6 - HV Fast Chargers 110V AC
Multiple sets of replacement tracks
Multiple antennas and tools
1 - 210 Negotiator Operator Manual
The issue with the Operator Unit might be as simple as a dead battery. If it’s anything more complex, you might need someone with a bit of an electronics background to spot and replace any blown components. It’s rare that you see a military robot up for auction, so determining what the target market will pay is not easy. If you find a police department which wanted such robots but the full retail price prevented them, they might be thrilled to see these used options, but there’s a lot of paperwork needed for purchases above a certain amount. Best of luck.
Thanks for the help. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can get them for under $1k for the both of them but time will tell. I figure there is someone out there that would be interested that would get a good deal and I could make a profit. If not, I guess I can learn about them and build a battle bot or something!
Tim
Robots capable of climbing stairs are normally very expensive, so simply destroying them in combat would be like seeing an exotic car go to a demolition derby. If you do get them but cannot find a “normal” buyer, contact your local universities and see which teachers are doing robotics. They likely have some spare change to purchase a platform capable of climbing stairs.
