robotshop

RobotShop Distribution Inc.
Type Private
Industry Service Robotic Market
Founded 2003[1]
Founder(s) Mario Tremblay and Sandra Fradet
Headquarters Mirabel, Quebec[2]
Area served Canada, America, Europe, International
Products Domestic robots
Professional Robots
Robot Toys
Robot Development Platforms
Robot Kits
Robot Parts
Services Technical Support
Robotic Repair
Website www.robotshop.com

RobotShop Distribution Inc. specializes in distributing domestic robots (such robotic lawn mowers and vacuums) and other robotic products and services.[3][4] Although the head office is located in Canada, RobotShop sells worldwide.

Contents

History

Founding

On 3 May 2002 Mario Tremblay, president and founder of RobotShop, spearheaded a project with two of his university colleagues to build a robotic lawn mower named "RoboR" and created RobotShop as a general/unlimited partnership.[5] With the financial backing of the Centre de Développement Technique de l'École de Technologie Supérieure (ETS) de Montréal (Centech) they began building a prototype of the robotic lawn mower.[6] In order to further finance research and development, RobotShop took on consultation and development work in general robotics for industrial and university clients.

Sandra Fradet joined Mario Tremblay to create RobotShop Distribution Inc, and the previous unlimited partnership was dissolved.[5] Shortly after the deployment of the website, the first sales started to come in.[7] In order to expand RobotShop they obtain encouragement from the Fond de Jeunesse Québec (FJQ), the Soutien aux Jeunes Entrepreneurs (SAJE) and also from the Fondation du Maire pour la Jeunesse de Montréal (FMMJ).[8]

Expansion

After months of working out of their homes, RobotShop relocated in October 2005 to an 1,800-square-foot (170 m2) space in Boisbriand, Quebec and soon they hired their first employees. The company continues to grow rapidly following the strong growth of the domestic robotics market. The facilities were enlarged up to 6,000 square feet (560 m2) in 2008 to respond to the increasing demand and the need for additional employee space.

In July 2010, RobotShop acquired Gorobotics.net, a popular blog bloging about robots since 2011.[9]

In July 2011, RobotShop moved in their new Headquarters in Mirabel offering 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) of space.[10] RobotShop now has a global logistic with warehouses in Canada, United-States and Europe.

Personal and Professional Robots

RobotShop is specialized in the distribution of domestic and professional robots as well as parts required for custom robotic development. RobotShop sells specialized robotic parts including microcontrollers, sensors, motors and other robotic parts and development platforms.[11] RobotShop has also contributed to the success of robotic competitions and sponsored projects.[12][13]

Products and services

As of 2008, RobotShop's products include domestic and professional robots, robot parts, and toys.[14][15][16][17] RobotShop also provides domestic robot repair, support and troubleshooting, as well as a Learning Center providing both new and seasoned robot builders educational tools needed to build different types of robots.[18][19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Industry Canada - Corporation
  2. ^ "Robotshop: La robotique à votre portée" (in French). Québec Micro. April 2007. http://www.robotshop.ca/Images/Articles/Quebec-Micro-April-2007.jpg. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  3. ^ Lapierre, Isabelle. "L'aide du futur" (in French). Magazine Le Village. http://www.robotshop.ca/Images/Articles/le-village-Isabelle-lapierre.jpg. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  4. ^ Massicotte, Jean-Sébastien (June 18, 2005). "Tondeuses-robots. Des appareils sans fil... et sans pilote ! Newspaper article about RobotShop and its products" (in French) (PDF). Le Soleil. http://www.robotshop.ca/content/PDF/lesoleil-2005.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  5. ^ a b Quebec Government Company Registry
  6. ^ ETS Centech: September 2002 Bulletin
  7. ^ Synnett, Cindy (September 22, 2004). "Robotshop" (in French). Metro Montreal. http://www.robotshop.ca/Images/Articles/metro-montreal-cindy-synnett-mercredi-22-sept-2004.jpg. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  8. ^ 2005 SAJE/CLD 2005 Annual Report
  9. ^ Press Release: GoRobotics.net Acquired by RobotShop
  10. ^ Press Release: RobotShop Builds New Headquarters
  11. ^ Abry.biz by Vincent Abry Interview with RobotShop's Mario Tremblay
  12. ^ CRC Robotics Competition Sponsored by RobotShop
  13. ^ Google Scholar: RobotShopRoboGames Sponsorship
  14. ^ Turrentine, Jeff (May 5, 2005). "Relax, grass-cutting gizmo at work". Toronto Star. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/832709251.html?dids=832709251:832709251&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+5%2C+2005&author=Jeff+Turrentine&pub=Toronto+Star&edition=&startpage=L.04&desc=Relax%2C+grass-cutting+gizmo+at+work%3B+Robotic+mowers+programmable+Wires+set+property+boundaries. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  15. ^ Turrentine, Jeff (May 5, 2005). "Relax, grass-cutting gizmo at work" (pdf). Toronto Star. http://www.robotshop.ca/content/PDF/toronto-star-2005.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  16. ^ "Robotshop: La robotique à votre portée." (in French). Québec Micro. April 2007. http://www.robotshop.ca/Images/Articles/Quebec-Micro-April-2007.jpg. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  17. ^ Television report on RobotShop Distribution Inc., NerdZ TV show, Thursday, November 30, 2006, by Jean Fournier
  18. ^ Crowley, Dan (2005). The 505 Weirdest Online Stores: 505 Things You Never Thought You Could Buy .... Sourcebooks, Inc.. p. 64. ISBN 1402203772. http://books.google.com/books?id=BrZU29RvLx0C&pg=PA64&dq=robotshop&ei=oBd-SODEPISgiwHvkKHtDw&sig=ACfU3U00Qy_slmdKv42ogkxtXSrEPIciOQ#PPA64,M1. 
  19. ^ RobotShop Learning Center

External links