Roomba Maker Declares Bankruptcy, but Tries to Ease 'Bricking' Fears -- WSJ

Dow Jones12-15

By John Keilman

The company that makes Roomba robotic vacuums declared bankruptcy Sunday but said its devices will continue to function normally while the company restructures.

Massachusetts-based iRobot has struggled financially for years, beset by foreign competition that made cheaper and, in the opinion of some buyers, technologically superior autonomous vacuums. When a proposed sale to Amazon.com fell through in 2024 because of regulatory concerns, the company's share price plummeted.

iRobot signaled in recent corporate filings that a bankruptcy could be imminent. It owes $352 million to Picea, its primary contract manufacturer which operates out of China and Vietnam. Nearly $91 million of that debt is past due, according to iRobot.

Outlining its restructuring plan Sunday, iRobot said that Picea will receive 100% of the equity interest in iRobot, which the company said would allow it to continue operating.

Founded in 1990, iRobot's autonomous vacuum cleaners helped pioneer robotics for consumers. Many recent versions of the Roomba have features that are controlled through the brand's app.

Some owners have worried that, similar to other products tied to the internet, their Roombas could "brick" if the company went under. iRobot said it anticipates no disruptions to its product support or app functionality.

Write to John Keilman at john.keilman@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 14, 2025 22:47 ET (03:47 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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