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Print Edition StoriesThursday, October 29, 2009
Loofbourrow to head up iRobot senior health unit
By Mass High Tech staff
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IRobot Corp. today announced a new business unit focused on utilizing robotics for senior citizen healthcare, and named Authoria Inc. founder and former CEO Tod Loofbourrow as president of the new group.
IRobot, which in the past has operated consumer and military robotics units, has viewed senior healthcare as an opportunity for a while. Earlier this year, chairman and CEO Colin Angle told Mass High Tech, “We have to change the way we care for seniors or the infrastructure is going to crumble. The good news is that what needs to happen is what the elders want anyway — that is, to age gracefully in place.”
Angle announced the new business unit at the TEDMED conference in San Diego. The company said in a statement that the new unit is “committed to exploring the potential of robotics as an assistive technology to promote wellness and enhance quality of life for seniors.” The unit’s stated goal is to use next-generation practical robots as caregivers to extend the time that people can live independently. IRobot listed possible robotic applications such as household chores and administration of medications.
Loofbourrow will be responsible for the group’s strategy, research and operations. He will report directly to Angle.
Loofbourrow was named a Mass High Tech All-Star in 2000 while he was with Authoria, a benefits and talent management software company. He remained as chairman of Authoria after James McDevitt was named CEO last year.
Prior to Authoria, Loofbourrow was CEO of Foundation Technologies Inc., which developed a second surgical opinion system for managed care. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and did graduate work at Oxford University.
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