iRobot says there is “substantial doubt” about it as a “going concern”

The shaky world of consumer robotics

iRobot's fortunes have changed dramatically since 2022, when Amazon announced a $1.7 billion bid to buy the struggling but prominent firm.

Amazon had long been active in warehouse and logistics robotics but had shown interest in home automation with its quirky Astro bot, which has taken a long time to roll out to very few people but is still technically available as an invite-only preview at $1,600. The version aimed at businesses was bricked, and refunds were given last summer.

Regulators in Europe could not be convinced that the owner of the world's largest online storefront would not use its leverage to harm rival robot vacuum makers' chances. Lobbying group Computer & Communications Industry Association protested at the time, suggesting there was "no plausible risk to competition from a US retailer acquiring a struggling US vacuum maker in a sector overtaken by dynamic Chinese manufacturers."

But both EU regulators and the US Federal Trade Commission expressed concerns over not just market advantages—like the "Works with Alexa" or "Amazon's Choice" labels—but the data privacy concerns of Amazon having access to maps of consumers' homes. The deal was scuttled in late January 2024, leading to layoffs of more than 30 percent of iRobot's workers, the resignation of co-founder Colin Angle as CEO, and a refocusing on cleaning products, which trimmed off iRobot's air purifiers, lawn mowing, and education initiatives.

Back to the Roomba, now with lidar

The Roomba 105, scanning and mapping with new lidar powers. Note: Lidar is not green or visible to human eyes. Credit: iRobot

iRobot has cut its staff by 50 percent since the failed Amazon acquisition, and it states in its annual report that it has lowered sales and marketing costs, reduced product research and manufacturing costs, and is focusing on its widely known Roombas.

Not coincidentally, iRobot yesterday announced eight new vacuum models in what it calls its "largest product launch" in its 20-year history. The vacuums and vacuum/mop combos have markedly new looks and, in a first for Roombas but not its competitors, lidar navigation and mapping features and, on some models, "AI technology." Mopping models now feature dual scrubbing pads and carpet detection.

Another big change is that the new Roombas have model names that may make sense to humans. The simpler bots are the 105s, and the most feature-packed models are the 505s. You will not need a personal spreadsheet to understand what you're getting with the 10 Max versus the j9+ or maybe the i5.

The pricing on all models—between $300 and $1,000—seems notably more in line with competitors from Ecovacs, Roborock, and other robovac makers. They are available on March 18 for preorder on iRobot's site in the US and some European markets.

Just be aware that iRobot has stated that its products face issues with "consumer demand, competition, macroeconomic conditions and tariff policies," and that its existence beyond 12 months is far from certain.