iRobot Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Amazon Acquisition Falls Through

In a shocking turn of events, iRobot, the maker of the popular Roomba robotic vacuum, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last Sunday. This marks the end of an era for the company, which had sold over 50 million robots since its launch in 2002. The collapse of iRobot follows Amazon's decision in January 2024 to scuttle its $1.7 billion acquisition of the company after 18 months of investigation by the FTC and European regulators.

The financial details of iRobot's bankruptcy are stark. The company had struggled to maintain profitability in recent years, with net losses totaling $143 million in 2023. Despite generating $1.1 billion in revenue in 2022, iRobot's struggles to innovate and expand its product line had taken a toll on its bottom line. The company's market value had plummeted to just $500 million, a far cry from its peak of $10 billion in 2019.

The market impact of iRobot's bankruptcy is significant. The company's products, including the Roomba and Braava, had become staples of the smart home market. iRobot's technology had also been used in various industries, including healthcare and hospitality. The loss of iRobot's expertise and innovation will be felt across the industry, with many companies scrambling to fill the void left by the company's collapse.

iRobot's story is one of near-death experiences and technical challenges. Founded in 1990 by Colin Angle and Helen Greiner, the company had survived 35 years of ups and downs, including a major recall of its Roomba products in 2011. Despite these challenges, iRobot had continued to innovate and expand its product line, introducing new features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and voice control.

The collapse of iRobot's acquisition by Amazon is seen as a major factor in the company's bankruptcy. The FTC's 18-month investigation into the deal had raised concerns about Amazon's potential to stifle competition in the smart home market. While Amazon had argued that the acquisition would allow it to expand its offerings and improve customer experience, regulators had expressed concerns about the potential for anti-competitive behavior.

In a candid interview, Colin Angle reflected on the collapse of the Amazon deal, describing it as a "profoundly frustrating process" that sent a "chilling message" to entrepreneurs. Angle had argued that the FTC's opposition to the deal was based on a flawed understanding of the market and the potential benefits of the acquisition.

Despite the collapse of iRobot, Angle remains optimistic about the future of consumer robotics. In a new venture, Angle plans to focus on developing innovative products that can improve people's lives. "We're not giving up on the dream of creating a better future through robotics," Angle said. "We're just taking a different path to get there."

The future of consumer robotics is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the collapse of iRobot marks the end of an era for one of America's most beloved robotics companies. As the industry continues to evolve and innovate, it remains to be seen whether other companies will be able to fill the void left by iRobot's collapse.