The Next Day: Is the Roomba in Danger of Extinction?

The company iRobot, known for its Roomba robotic vacuums, informed its investors that its revenues have significantly decreased and it is facing difficulties meeting its financial obligations. For a brief period, Amazon showed interest in acquiring iRobot, but the prospect of an investigation by the European Commission led the e-commerce company to abandon the deal, albeit not before paying a compensation of $94 million. However, this amount is insufficient to cover the $200 million loan that iRobot obtained to try to stay afloat until possible assistance from Amazon arrived.

The situation is particularly complicated given that just the week before, iRobot had introduced new models, including an enhanced Roomba that can compact dirt and dust, allowing it to be emptied only every couple of weeks.

On the other hand, competitor vacuum robots are evolving, becoming more versatile and complex. In the latest edition of CES, innovative robovacs were showcased that can perform multiple tasks and even include robotic arms, as if they were taken from a cartoon. However, many of these new devices have not yet officially hit the market, while iRobot has been offering reliable floor cleaners for years. It is expected that they will continue on this trajectory.