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{{Short description|American technology company}}
[[Image:Evolution robotics logo.svg|thumb|right|Evolution Robotics]]

'''Evolution Robotics''' was an American technological company based in [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], [[California]]. It specialized in [[robotics]] technologies, with [[computer vision]], localization, and [[robot navigation|autonomous navigation]] products.

Evolution Robotics cooperated with Cambridge University for research in vision technology.<ref>MTB Europe: [http://www.mtbeurope.info/news/2005/502022.htm Cambridge University cooperates with Evolution Robotics]</ref> Software products of Evolution Robotics were licensed by the [[Korean Institute of Industrial Technology]]<ref>Reuters: [https://archive.today/20130201082405/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS172875+03-Jan-2008+BW20080103 Korean Institute of Industrial Technology Licenses Evolution Robotics' ViPR Vision]</ref> and the [[Sony|Sony Robotics Division]]<ref>Evolution Robotics: [http://www.evolution.com/about/ Company profile]</ref> and were part of [[WowWee]] robots like ''Rovio''.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Breakthrough "Micro-GPS" solution from Evolution Robotics™ debuts at CES, featured on WowWee's new Rovio™ robot| url=http://www.evolution.com/news/release/HSF-C |url-status=dead |agency=Idealab |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212005201/http://www.evolution.com/news/release/HSF-C |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |access-date=September 23, 2017}}</ref>

On September 17, 2012, [[iRobot]] acquired Evolution Robotics for $74 Million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/17/irobot-acquires-evolution-robotics-makers-of-the-mint-robot-vacuum-for-74-million/|title=iRobot Acquires Evolution Robotics, Makers Of The Mint Robot Vacuum, For $74 Million – TechCrunch|website=techcrunch.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Knapp|first=Alex|title=iRobot Acquires Evolution, Creating Cleaning Robot Empire|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2012/09/17/irobot-acquires-evolution-creating-cleaning-robot-empire/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>

== Products ==
[[File:Evolution Robotics Mint Cleaner.jpg|thumb|Evolution Robotics Mint Cleaner using wet cloths from Swiffer]]

In January 2010, Evolution Robotics released ''Mint'', a cleaning robot that dusted and wet-mopped hard surface floors.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Evolution Robotics Introduces Mint™: The Evolution of Floor Cleaning |url=http://www.evolution.com/news/release/KJZ-1 |url-status=dead |agency=Idealab |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915043324/http://www.evolution.com/news/release/KJZ-1 |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |access-date=September 23, 2017}}</ref> The robot's "wet mopping mode" had a coverage of 93 sq m (1000 sq ft) and 23 sq m (250 sq ft). The Mint lacked a vacuum motor and was one of the quietest floor-cleaning robots. The Mint was described as a "not fully autonomous robot"; hence, a cleaning cloth had to be attached to the cleaning pad before using it. The robot used an [[indoor navigation system]] called NorthStar for navigation. Mint used a navigation cube as a beacon for navigation, and the original model could only handle one of these beacons at a time.

On September 14, 2011, Evolution Robotics released a second model, ''Mint Plus''. The robot represented an improved version of the original Mint, supporting multiple NorthStar cubes simultaneously. An additional feature of the robot was the ability to continue work at the same spot if the machine was interrupted during cleaning.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bestsellersinindia.com/top-10-best-selling-wet-and-dry-vacuum-cleaners-in-india/|title=Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner|access-date=2016-12-17}}</ref> Mint Plus featured an automatic cleaning solution dispenser that kept the cloth wet during cleaning. One of the two Mint Plus robots had an installed docking station that functioned as a charging stand where the robot could be placed manually.

In 2013, Mint was rebranded as [[iRobot Braava]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-08-22-irobot-braava.html|title=iRobot gives Mint mopping 'bot a new lease on life as the Braava|publisher=[[Engadget]]|last=Heater|first=Brian|date=August 22, 2013|accessdate=April 18, 2020}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120923063908/http://www.evolution.com/ http://evolution.com/] − Website of Evolution Robotics (archived)

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Evolution Robotics}}
[[Category:Defunct robotics companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Pasadena, California]]
[[Category:IRobot]]

Evolution Robotics - Revision history

imported>DigitalIceAge: added Category:IRobot using HotCat