Ogden Air Logistic Complex partners for robot repair work Published March 10, 2014 By George F. Jozens 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Hill Air Force Base, Utah -- Robots are going to invade Team Hill, well at least the ones needing depot type repairs after the Ogden Air Logistics Complex signed a partnering agreement with iRobot March 3. Maj. Gen. H. Brent Baker, Sr., Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander and Frank Wilson, iRobot senior vice president and general manager of Defense and Security business, signed a timely partnership agreement, one of the fastest the OO-ALC has done. "This has come together at light speed," said Baker. "It is really quick for a government partnership. We just started working this about a year and a half ago." The partnership is in its infancy but, at this point it has the depot performing all of the touch labor for repair of explosive ordnance disposal models manufactured by iRobot. The EOD robots are only a few models of the more than a dozen the company makes. "We are excited in joining with y'all here," said Wilson. "I see the future having it (robotics) loading aircraft, handling hazardous materials, all in addition to the certified cleaning robots we already have in hospitals." Wilson also said the world is really embracing robotics. "It is great to see the foresight here (OO-ALC) and working on robots." The partnership is still working out the details on the actual repairs and responsibilities and is looking at iRobot providing the specifications, engineering and other logistics for the touch labor to be performed in the complex. There will be no increase in staffing at this point as the complex will use internal personnel, at least during the beginning of the effort. "I appreciate the work of the whole Complex team who made the fruit of our labor come to this signing in just 18 months," said Baker. "We are happy to be an equal partner and share the work on keeping these robots repaired." iRobot Company produces almost a dozen and a half different robots which perform house cleaning chores, retrieve dangerous items and a multitude of other practical use functions. The robots expected to arrive at Hill are the ones which are used by EOD technicians to investigate roadside hazards, clear routes for troops on the move and disarm improvised explosive devices. The robots go into the danger zone while EOD specialists remain at a safe standoff distance. The EOD robots vary in size from a small, light, throwable robot for special operations, to a large robot that carries heavy payloads.