Colin Angle

Colin Angle is recognized as the co-founder of iRobot, a company that introduced autonomous robots to millions of homes worldwide. Angle established iRobot while working at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, alongside co-founders Helen Greiner and Rodney Brooks. He holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT. Before launching iRobot, Angle joined NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where he contributed to the design of behavior-controlled rovers, work that led to the development of Sojourner, a six-wheeled rover deployed on Mars. He later received the NASA Group Achievement Award for this accomplishment, and NASA inscribed his name inside the case of Spirit, the Mars exploration rover on display at the space agency.

As CEO and chairman, Angle guided iRobot from an MIT spinoff to a global leader in consumer robotics. He played a pivotal role in the home robot industry with the introduction of the floor-vacuuming robot "Roomba," a significant milestone in consumer robotics. Angle has discussed the financial challenges faced in the early years, including periods without sufficient funds for payroll, yet maintaining operations through transparency and contingency planning. Since its founding, iRobot has sold more than 40 million consumer robots worldwide. Angle has received recognition for his leadership with awards such as CEO of the Year by the Mass Technology Leadership Council and New England Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.

iRobot's influence extended beyond consumer products, with the company contributing to disaster response efforts after the 9/11 attacks, the Fukushima disaster, and oil spill monitoring, as well as deploying robots during the war in Afghanistan. Angle served as president, CEO, and chairman of iRobot's board, overseeing strategic growth that generated over $1 billion in global revenue. Beyond iRobot, Angle has advocated for STEM education and environmental innovation. He co-founded National Robotics Week, an initiative to promote robotics in education and industry. Angle also serves as chairman of the board for Science from Scientists, a nonprofit focused on improving STEM literacy in classrooms, and as executive chairman of Robots in Service of the Environment, an organization developing robots to address environmental challenges.

After leading iRobot for more than 30 years, Angle co-founded Familiar Machines & Magic, a Boston-area company developing home robots focused on health and wellness. The company is working on robots designed as home companions, with artificial intelligence software intended to foster emotional connections with humans and improve human health. With decades of experience in robotics, artificial intelligence, and consumer technology, Angle continues to contribute to advancements at the intersection of robotics and human well-being.