Helen Greiner

Helen Greiner. An American roboticist and entrepreneur renowned as a pioneering force in commercial robotics. She co-founded the iconic company iRobot, which brought the Roomba robotic vacuum into millions of homes worldwide. Her subsequent ventures, including CyPhy Works and Tertill, have continued to advance the fields of unmanned aerial systems and agricultural robotics, cementing her status as a leading figure in the industry.

Early life and education

Born in London and immigrating to the United States as a child, Greiner's fascination with technology was sparked early by the Star Wars film R2-D2. She pursued her passion at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering and computer science. Her formative years at MIT included significant work in the famed MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, collaborating with influential figures like Rodney Brooks and conducting research that laid the groundwork for her future in robotics.

Career at iRobot

In 1990, alongside Rodney Brooks and Colin Angle, Greiner co-founded iRobot. She served as the company's long-time President and was instrumental in its strategic direction. Under her leadership, iRobot transitioned from developing defense and research robots, such as the PackBot for the United States Armed Forces, to creating groundbreaking consumer products. The launch of the Roomba in 2002 revolutionized the home appliance market and became a global phenomenon. Greiner also oversaw the development of other successful platforms like the Scooba floor-washing robot and the Create programmable robot, driving iRobot's initial public offering on the NASDAQ in 2005.

Post-iRobot ventures

After departing iRobot, Greiner founded CyPhy Works in 2008, a company specializing in persistent unmanned aerial systems for commercial and military applications. Notable innovations included the Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications drone. She later served as Chief Executive Officer of Tertill, a company she founded to produce solar-powered, autonomous weeding robots for home gardens. Greiner has also been an active investor and advisor in the robotics sector, holding roles such as a Robotics Fellow at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and serving on the board of directors for the National Defense Industrial Association.

Awards and recognition

Greiner's contributions have been widely honored by prestigious institutions. She received the Pioneer in Robotics and Automation Award from the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society and was named an IEEE Fellow. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International presented her with the prestigious Pioneer Award. She has been inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Further accolades include the DEMO God Award and recognition as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.

Personal life

A naturalized American citizen, Greiner is a dedicated advocate for STEM education and frequently speaks on the future of robotics and innovation. She maintains close ties with the academic community, particularly with her alma mater, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. An avid pilot, her personal interests in aviation complement her professional work in unmanned systems.