iRobot is having trouble finding a buyer amid financial difficulties and mounting debt, after a deal to sell the company to Amazon failed a year ago. Last week, iRobot announced it was filing for bankruptcy. As part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, the company said it was being taken over by iRobot’s primary contract manufacturer, China-based robotics company Picea.
But, most importantly, what What does it all mean? For you, the consumer?
Roombas is an extremely popular brand of robot vacuum cleaners. iRobot has one commanding 42 percent market share in the US for robotic vacuums. Additionally, the timing of the bankruptcy means there are likely many new Roomba owners who have already purchased deals for themselves and gifts for others on Black Friday a few weeks ago.
According to iRobot, there is nothing for consumers to worry about.
techradarRuth Hamilton spoke to iRobot CEO Gary Cohen, who assured the tech outlet that “it’s business as usual” at the robot vacuum cleaner company.
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“The app is working, the warranty will be honored,” Cohen said.
TechRadar also pressed Hamilton on the bankruptcy announcement, sharing that there would be no immediate disruption. Does this mean consumers should be worried in the future?
According to Cohen, no, there is no need to worry and Roombas were “never” going to stop working due to the company’s financial troubles.
Cohen said, “Now we have a path forward, the apps will continue, the products will continue… We will have firmware updates on the products, which is one of the benefits of this category – we are constantly putting software updates on the market. So they will continue.”
Cohen also told the outlet that iRobot and Picea are already working on new products for the new year and that the transition has been smooth because the two companies were already working together.
So, Roomba fans, it looks like there’s no need to worry just yet. Your robot vacuum should be good to use – at least for now.
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