Roomba maker files for Chap. 11

Roomba maker IRobot filed for bankruptcy and will go private after being acquired by its Chinese supplier Picea Robotics.

- BY NILESH CHRISTOPHER

Founded 35 years ago, the Massachusetts company pioneered the development of home vacuum robots and grew to become one of the most recognizable American consumer brands.

Over the years, it lost ground to Chinese competitors with less-expensive products. This year, the company was clobbered by President Trump's tariffs. At its peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, IRobot was valued at $3 billion.

The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on Sunday has raised fear among Roomba users who are worried about “bricking,” which happens when a device stops working or is rendered useless because of a lack of software updates.

IRobot has tried assuaging the fears, saying that it will continue operations with no anticipated disruption to its app functionality, customer programs or product support.