Robot survived three decades of competition, but couldn't survive European regulators killing its Amazon buyout. Now it's being taken over by its own supplier in bankruptcy court.

We independently review everything we recommend. We may get paid to link out to retailer sites, and when you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Liam McCabe iRobot filed for bankruptcy in December 2025 and expects to be ...

Robot’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy has sparked intense reactions, with opinions on regulation, innovation, manufacturing, and global competition.

The original Roomba was the first robot vacuum in the US, and the second ever made, following Electrolux’s Trilobite the year prior. A basic bump-and-roll bot with bump and cliff sensors, the Roomba rolled randomly around your home, sucking up dirt, bumping from wall to wall, and generally trying not to fall down stairs.