Mon, 15 Dec 2025

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 Roomba vacuum cleaner firm files for bankruptcy

Under the so-called pre-packaged Chapter 11 process, the main maker of its devices will take ownership of the firm.

* iRobot, the US firm behind Roomba smart vacuums, has filed for bankruptcy protection due to competition and tariffs.
* Chinese rival Picea Robotics will take ownership of iRobot through a pre-packaged Chapter 11 process.
* Increased costs due to 46% import duties on goods from Vietnam (where most US-bound Roombas are made) resulted in $23m loss this year.
* iRobot's value dropped from $3.56bn in 2021 to around $140m, with shares falling over 13%.
* The bankruptcy filing is expected not to disrupt app, supply chains, or product support.
* iRobot was founded in 1990 and holds significant market share for robotic vacuum cleaners in the US and Japan.
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