How Roomba invented the home robot, and lost the future
undefined 16, 2025
iRobot’s Roomba, launched in 2002, popularized home robots but the company filed for bankruptcy in 2025, handing control to Chinese partner Picea Robotics. Early success and innovative AI-driven navigation gave Roomba dominance, but competition, slow adoption of mopping, regulatory blocks on Amazon’s acquisition, and strategic missteps eroded market share. While iRobot pioneered smart home robotics, it ultimately failed to align with consumer demand and market pressures.
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