It is been a powerful few years for iRobot, maker of the favored robotic vacuum cleaner Roomba.
After a deal to promote the corporate to Amazon fell by the yr earlier than, iRobot has had hassle discovering a purchaser amid monetary difficulties and mounting money owed. Final week, iRobot introduced it was submitting for chapter. As a part of the Chapter 11 chapter course of, the corporate mentioned it was being taken over by iRobot’s major contract producer, the China-based robotics firm Picea.
However, most significantly, what does all of this imply for you, the patron?
Roombas are a particularly in style model of robotic vacuum cleaners. iRobot holds a commanding 42 % market share within the U.S. for robotic vacuums. On prime of that, the timing of the chapter signifies that there’s doubtless many brand-new Roomba house owners who purchased offers for themselves and items for others simply weeks earlier on Black Friday.
In keeping with iRobot, there’s nothing for customers to fret about.
TechRadar‘s Ruth Hamilton spoke with iRobot CEO Gary Cohen who assured the tech outlet that “it is enterprise as typical” on the robotic vacuum cleaner firm.
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“The app is working, the warranties are going to be honored,” Cohen mentioned.
TechRadar additionally pressed Hamilton on the chapter announcement, which shared that there could be no rapid disruption. Did this imply customers needs to be apprehensive down the street?
In keeping with Cohen, no, there is no want for concern and Roombas have been “by no means” going to simply cease working as a result of firm’s monetary troubles.
“Now that we have now a path ahead, the app will proceed, the merchandise will proceed…We’ll have firmware updates on the merchandise, which is likely one of the advantages of this class – we’re always placing software program updates within the market. So these will proceed,” Cohen mentioned.
Cohen additionally informed the outlet that iRobot and Picea are already engaged on new merchandise for the brand new yr and that the transition has been easy as a result of the 2 firms have been already working collectively.
So, Roomba followers, it looks like there is no want to fret simply but. Your robotic vacuum needs to be good to go – no less than for now.
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