After less than two years at the helm of iRobot’s stealthy healthcare business, Tod Loofbourrow is apparently out as co-founder and president of the division, which will be rolled into the robot maker’s larger consumer operation.
Loofbourrow’s departure was first reported in a Tweet by Boston Globe tech maven Scott Kirsner, citing iRobot CEO Colin Angle. Mass High Tech confirmed the news with Angle in an email.
“Tod has indeed left iRobot after developing our healthcare strategy,” Angle told the technology journal. “That strategy called for the next steps in our plan to best happen within HRD. We remain as committed as ever (if not more) to healthcare.”
Loofbourrow came to iRobot in 2009 to develop a health care division for the company made famous by its Roomba robotic vacuum. The bulk of the company’s success has come from developing robots for military applications.
The division’s mission is developing robotic products to help seniors live independently. Loofbourrow, an engaging and passionate advocate for the elderly, often cited his own struggles in helping his aging mother stay in her home and live independently.
Loofbourrow is an accomplished executive, having founded two previous companies, including Foundation Technologies Inc. — which developed the first-ever “Managed Second Surgical Opinion” system for managed care — and Authoria Inc. His brief at iRobot was to spearhead all aspects of the health care group’s strategy, research and operations, reporting directly to Angle, according to a 2009 press release announcing his hiring. Loofbourrow’s name and bio have been removed from the company’s website.