Amazon’s decision to back out of its deal to buy iRobot due to regulatory issues may be seen as a victory for privacy advocates, but it could spell trouble for the struggling Roomba robot vacuum. Despite relying on Amazon to inject much-needed cash and resources into the company, iRobot’s dominant market share has been steadily declining in the face of fierce competition from Chinese companies like Ecovacs and Roborock. iRobot has been a major innovator in the field of home robotics, with advancements in auto-empty docks, room mapping, and AI algorithms. However, its slow adoption of certain features has put it on the back foot compared to its competitors. With a net loss for 2022 and an estimated operating loss of up to $285 million in 2023, iRobot is facing an existential crisis and has had to make drastic cost-cutting measures. Without substantive R&D and innovative new products, iRobot risks losing out to Chinese competitors, despite their own issues with repairability and privacy concerns.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/31/24057077/irobot-amazon-deal-collapse-roomba-uncertain-future