Roomba Maker iRobot Files for Bankruptcy, Sparking Fears Among Users
The American company iRobot, famous for pioneering the robotic vacuum industry with its Roomba line, has officially filed for bankruptcy. This announcement has triggered anxiety among millions of customers who are worried that their expensive smart devices might stop working or lose app support.
Despite the alarming headlines, the company insists there is no need for immediate panic. iRobot has initiated a pre-packaged bankruptcy process, which will result in the company being acquired by its largest creditor and lead manufacturer, Shenzhen Picea Robotics.
Representatives for the brand have stated that the restructuring plan is designed to keep the business running smoothly while paying off debts. They emphasized that customer service, warranty claims, and the essential mobile app used to control the robots will continue to operate without interruption.
The company’s financial troubles stem from a combination of failed business deals and intensifying market pressure. After a planned acquisition by Amazon fell through, iRobot struggled with supply chain issues and fierce competition from cheaper Chinese rivals like Ecovacs.
Additional financial strain came from new trade tariffs, specifically a massive 46% levy on imports from Vietnam where many of their units are made. These factors caused the company’s value to plummet from over 3 billion euros during the pandemic peak to approximately 130 million euros today.
Gary Cohen, the CEO of iRobot, expressed hope that this new agreement will save the brand. He believes that merging iRobot’s history of innovation with Picea’s manufacturing capabilities will help them remain competitive in the smart home sector.
Do you trust that your devices will remain supported in the long run, or are you considering switching to a different brand for your next robot vacuum? Let us know what you think in the comments.
