Roomba Robot Vacuum Maker Goes Bankrupt Under Chinese Ownership

Robot, the company behind the iconic Roomba robot vacuum, has filed for bankruptcy protection after more than three decades in business, marking a dramatic fall for one of the most recognizable names in consumer robotics. The filing brings an end to a 35 year run during which iRobot helped popularize autonomous home cleaning and define the modern robot vacuum market.

According to court documents, iRobot sought bankruptcy protection to restructure its finances amid mounting debt, slowing sales and intensifying competition from lower priced rivals. The company said it intends to continue operating during the bankruptcy process while it works with lenders to stabilize its balance sheet and explore strategic alternatives.

Founded in 1990, iRobot built its reputation on innovation, first developing robots for military and industrial use before achieving mass market success with the Roomba in the early 2000s. The Roomba became a household name and turned iRobot into a pioneer of consumer robotics, at one point commanding a dominant share of the global robot vacuum market.

In recent years, however, iRobot has struggled to maintain momentum. Demand for premium robot vacuums softened as inflation pressured household spending, while competition from Chinese manufacturers offering cheaper and feature rich alternatives intensified. At the same time, iRobot faced rising costs, supply chain disruptions and a heavy debt load that limited its financial flexibility.

The company’s challenges were compounded after a planned acquisition by Amazon collapsed following regulatory scrutiny, depriving iRobot of a potential financial lifeline and strategic partner. Since then, iRobot has implemented multiple rounds of layoffs, cut costs and scaled back product development, but those measures were not enough to offset declining revenues and ongoing losses.

Founded in 1990 by three MIT engineers, iRobot sold over 50 million robots but has seen earnings drop since 2021 due to supply chain challenges and competition.

In its bankruptcy filing, iRobot said the process would allow it to renegotiate obligations, preserve jobs where possible and continue supporting customers and existing products. The company emphasized that Roomba devices will continue to function normally and that customer support and warranties remain in place during proceedings.