Colin Angle

Colin Angle is a roboticist and founder whose work spans MIT lab robots, iRobot products, and physical AI. At MIT, he earned degrees in electrical engineering and computer science and worked in Rodney Brooks' lab on robots built with techniques used in silicon-chip production. After founding iRobot in 1990, he worked with NASA on Genghis; NASA used technology from the project in the 1997 MESUR Pathfinder rover, and iRobot launched the Roomba in 2002. In November 2023, he was iRobot's CEO; he stepped down as chairman and CEO in January 2024, and MTLC honored him with its Commonwealth Award in March 2026. As of October 2026, he is CEO and co-founder of Familiar Machines & Magic, which develops physical AI models and hardware; in May 2026, he introduced Familiars, embodied AI systems designed to interact with people.

Now at: iRobot and Familiar Machines & Magic
Works: 5
Citations: 91
h-index: 3
Badges: Founder
Bridge
Loyal

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 19 October 2026.

Timeline

1989–1991

Studying robotics at MIT

He earns a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1989 and an M.S. in computer science in 1991 at MIT. In Professor Rodney Brooks' lab, he works on a project led by Anita Flynn to build robots with techniques similar to silicon-chip fabrication.
1990

Founding iRobot

He helps found iRobot in 1990 after graduating from MIT.
1996

Ariel mine-detection robot

In 1996, iRobot becomes a defense contractor with Ariel, a robot that detects mines in surf zones.
1997

Mars rover technology

In 1997, NASA takes technology from the Genghis project and adds a soldier rover to the MESUR Pathfinder mission. Angle works with NASA to build Genghis, a robot designed for space exploration.
2002

Launching the Roomba

In 2002, iRobot launches the Roomba, an intelligent vacuum that Angle first wants to call CyberSuck.
November 2023–January 2024

Leaving iRobot as CEO and chair

In November 2023, he is iRobot's CEO. In January 2024, he steps down as the company's chairman and CEO.
March 2026

The Commonwealth Award

In March 2026, the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council honors him with its Commonwealth Award for lifetime contributions to the region's tech ecosystem.
As of October 2026

Developing physical AI

As of October 2026, he is CEO and co-founder of Familiar Machines & Magic, which develops models and hardware for emotionally intelligent physical AI. In May 2026, he introduces Familiars, embodied AI systems designed to perceive, adapt, and interact with people.