JAFFREY — Fred Alibozek of iRobot begins his presentation to Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School students by switching on a Roomba, a small, round robot designed to clean floors automatically while the occupants of the house are away.

As the Roomba makes its way across Pratt Auditorium during the presentation Thursday, students are amazed that when they step in its way, the robot is able to adjust its course and continue its work. They are further impressed to learn they can purchase their own at any major appliance store for a few hundred dollars.

But what really makes them wide-eyed is the next robot Alibozek reveals: an SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle). Moving around on treads and looking around with a “head” containing half a dozen cameras, the SUGV climbs stairs, carries small objects and captures images of students making faces, which are projected onto a screen across the room.

The cameras are varied; one captures a wider angle while another allows the robot to look at closer objects. Most popular with the students is the thermal imaging camera, which not only spots living creatures but also warm hand- and footprints on the ground.

Alibozek, a Jaffrey resident and a senior mechanical engineer for iRobot, says he tries to present at schools once a month.

“Younger students are fascinated with cameras and seeing images of themselves,” Alibozek says. “With older students in high school and college, they want to know more about the software, technology and what kind of battery it uses.”

The occasion for this presentation is the first annual National Robotics Week, which took place from April 10 through 18.

According to nationalroboticsweek.org, the week is intended to celebrate the United States as a leader in robotics technology development, educate the public about how robotics technology impacts society, advocate for increased funding for robotics technology research and development and inspire students of all ages to pursue careers in robotics and other science, technology, engineering and math related fields.

Alibozek says students sometimes have ideas to offer with robot technology. For example, one student made a suggestion during Thursday’s presentation for an automatic camera switch when the robot is in “self-inspect mode,” an action that now involves a good deal of button-pushing.

“It was a great idea,” Alibozek says. “I’m definitely going to bring it back to the company. The software department is going to be embarrassed when I tell them that.”

Alibozek has worked for the robotics company for 10 years, beginning when it was based in Jaffrey and called IS Robotics. More recently the company was bought out by iRobot, and now Alibozek commutes to Bedford, Mass.

For Alibozek, robots are exciting because they are changing the way people work and live. They are here to stay, he says. From a laptop on vacation, a homeowner can call his or her robot to get it to vacuum or check on pets.

In the case of the SUGV, it can be used by the military to save lives.

“Soldiers used to have ropes tied around their waists so they could be pulled out of dangerous buildings they would have to scout out,” Alibozek says. “Those days are gone. Now a soldier never has to put himself in harm’s way; the robot will do it.”

Alibozek is hard pressed to think of a field where robots cannot be of some use. He lists environmental, medical, mining, law enforcement and even elder care as booming fields in robotics technology.

At the end of his presentation, a student approaches Alibozek interested in marine science. Alibozek informs him that his company makes robots that explore the waters. He gives him his card and tells the student that his company is always looking for interested interns.