tech
December 17, 2025
How iRobot lost its way home
iRobot survived three decades of competition, but couldn't survive European regulators killing its Amazon buyout. Now it's being taken over by its own supplier in bankruptcy court.
TL;DR
- iRobot, founded in 1990 by MIT roboticists, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after 35 years.
- The Roomba, launched in 2002, became a popular household gadget, transcending its category.
- Amazon agreed to acquire iRobot for $1.7 billion in 2022, but the deal was blocked by European regulators.
- Following the deal's collapse, iRobot's stock plummeted, it underwent significant layoffs, and faced declining earnings due to market competition.
- Shenzhen PICEA Robotics, iRobot's main supplier and lender, will take control of the reorganized company.
- iRobot states that business operations, app functionality, customer programs, and product support will continue without disruption during the restructuring.
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