A look at iRobot’s 35-year robotics journey

iRobot, the pioneering robotics company founded in 1990 that brought robot vacuums into millions of homes, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a turbulent decline from industry leadership. The company sold over 50 million robots globally and became synonymous with home robotics through its Roomba vacuum, but struggled against cheaper competition and declining revenue. A potential $1.7 billion acquisition by Amazon fell through due to regulatory concerns, leaving iRobot without a financial lifeline and forcing layoffs of nearly 50% of its workforce.