IRobot

iRobot Corporation
	File:IRobot logo.svg
Company type	Public
Industry	Consumer robotics, Technology
Founded	1990; 36 years ago
Founder	Rodney Brooks, Colin Angle, Helen Greiner
Headquarters	Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
Key people	Andrew Miller (Chairman), Gary Cohen (CEO), Julie Zeiler (CFO)
Products	Roomba, Braava, Create, Root, Aeris air purifiers
Website	www.irobot.com

iRobot Corporation is a U.S.-based technology firm specializing in the development of consumer robotics. Established in 1990 by three members of MIT's Artificial Intelligence Lab—Rodney Brooks, Colin Angle, and Helen Greiner—the company originally concentrated on creating robots for military and space exploration purposes. Currently, iRobot's primary focus lies in autonomous home cleaning devices, notably the well-known Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners and Braava floor mopping units.

The company’s headquarters are located in Bedford, Massachusetts, and it operates as a publicly traded entity on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol IRBT. Key leadership figures include Chairman Andrew Miller, CEO Gary Cohen, and CFO Julie Zeiler. In 2023, iRobot reported revenues amounting to US$891 million but encountered operational and net losses of US$264 million and US$305 million respectively, indicating ongoing financial challenges.

One of the most notable recent developments in iRobot’s corporate strategy was the proposed acquisition by Amazon.com valued at US$1.7 billion, announced in August 2022. Nevertheless, this transaction was called off in January 2024 after the European Commission raised antitrust objections. This outcome affected iRobot’s strategic expansion plans and its competitive standing within the robotics sector.

History

iRobot was created in 1990 by Rodney Brooks, Colin Angle, and Helen Greiner following their tenure at MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. The company secured a DARPA contract in 1998 that facilitated the development of the PackBot robot.

In September 2002, iRobot introduced its signature home cleaning robot, the Roomba, which surpassed one million units sold by 2004. The firm successfully defended its intellectual property rights in 2005 by winning a patent infringement lawsuit against Koolatron Corp., preventing unauthorized Roomba replicas from entering the U.S. market. iRobot went public on NASDAQ under ticker IRBT in November 2005. On September 17, 2012, it acquired Evolution Robotics, known for producing the Mint automated floor mop.

PackBots have been deployed for military bomb disposal tasks and hazardous site operations such as the Fukushima nuclear disaster cleanup. The iRobot Seaglider was utilized to locate underwater oil deposits following the Deepwater Horizon spill. In February 2016, iRobot divested its military robotics division to Arlington Capital Partners to concentrate exclusively on consumer-oriented products.

In November 2021, iRobot expanded its portfolio by acquiring Aeris Cleantec AG, a Swiss manufacturer of air purifiers, subsequently marketing Aeris-designed purification systems under its own brand starting in 2022. By 2020, iRobot had sold over 30 million home robots worldwide and deployed more than 5,000 units for defense and security applications globally.

Attempted acquisition by Amazon (2022–2024)

On August 5, 2022, Amazon revealed intentions to purchase iRobot for US$1.7 billion, subject to approval from regulatory bodies including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). By September of that year, the FTC requested additional information amid concerns regarding Amazon’s market dominance and privacy implications involving consumer data.

While the UK's Competition and Markets Authority approved the acquisition in June 2023 without identifying competition issues, the European Commission initiated a formal investigation in July 2023 over potential market restrictions and Amazon’s enhanced position as an online marketplace operator. In that same month, Amazon reduced its acquisition offer to $1.42 billion following iRobot’s $200 million debt raise aimed at supporting ongoing operations.

Ultimately, due to resistance from antitrust authorities in both the EU and U.S., Amazon and iRobot mutually abandoned merger plans in January 2024. The termination resulted in Amazon paying a $94 million reverse breakup fee to iRobot; meanwhile, iRobot implemented workforce reductions amounting to 31 percent and saw CEO Colin Angle resign. Gary Cohen was appointed CEO in May 2024 to oversee company restructuring initiatives.

Roomba

Introduced in 2002, Roomba is an autonomous vacuum cleaner robot powered by a rechargeable battery. Many variants come with a docking station that enables automatic recharging. Roomba models utilize both infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) technologies to operate with various accessories.

iRobot promotes user customization by offering an open API and serial port access, encouraging innovation and enhancements from its customer base.

The Roomba 980, released in 2015, incorporated VSLAM technology for enhanced room mapping and object recognition, significantly improving cleaning performance. This model also introduced carpet boost to increase suction power and provided Wi-Fi connectivity paired with app-based controls, representing a major advancement.

In May 2022, iRobot unveiled iRobot OS, a new operating system aimed at enriching user experience through better household awareness, voice command integration, and sophisticated object detection.

October 2022 marked the debut of the Roomba Combo, which added mopping functionality. This model can differentiate between hardwood flooring and carpeted areas, automatically lifting the mop when transitioning onto carpets.

Braava

Braava is iRobot’s robotic floor mopper designed for hard surfaces, utilizing either disposable or microfiber cloths for damp or dry cleaning modes. The 380t version employs a NorthStar Navigation Cube to direct its cleaning route.

Originally named Mint until 2013, Braava was created by Evolution Robotics before being acquired by iRobot in 2012.

Create

Launched in 2007, Create is a hobbyist robot that enables users to customize its capabilities by adding components such as sensors, grippers, wireless modules, computers, or other hardware. It serves as a platform for exploring the fundamentals of robotics.

Root

Root is an educational robot developed to teach children programming skills through tablet or smartphone interfaces. iRobot expanded its educational offerings by acquiring Root Robotics in 2019.

Terra

In 2019, iRobot obtained FCC approval to market Terra, a robotic lawn mower equipped with wireless localization and mapping capabilities. Terra uses smart beacon stakes along with user-defined boundaries to navigate lawns autonomously. It features Wi-Fi connectivity and an automatic charging dock. The device entered beta testing phases in Germany and the United States during 2019; however, the project was indefinitely suspended in March 2020.

Scooba

Scooba was iRobot’s floor-washing robot initially introduced in limited release in 2005 and fully launched in 2006. Early iterations required specialized cleaning solutions, while later models operated using plain water. The Scooba line was phased out in 2016 to concentrate efforts on the Braava mopping series.

Dirt Dog

Released in 2006, Dirt Dog was a Roomba variant designed specifically for workshop environments. It could collect small hardware items such as nuts and bolts alongside dirt and debris from hard floors and industrial surfaces. This product was discontinued by late 2010.

My Real Baby

My Real Baby was a robotic toy launched in 2000 as part of a collaboration between iRobot and Hasbro. Designed to mimic a human infant, it featured animatronic facial expressions based on iRobot’s emotionally responsive "IT" robot technology. The product is no longer manufactured.

ConnectR

ConnectR was a prototype videoconferencing robot developed in 2010; however, it did not pass pilot evaluations and was never brought to market.

Verro

Introduced in April 2007, Verro was an automated robotic cleaner designed specifically for residential swimming pools.

Looj

Debuting in September 2007, Looj was a remote-operated gutter cleaning robot featuring an auger to clear debris such as leaves and pine needles. Its tank-like tracks enabled it to maneuver inside gutters. The device came with a detachable handle that doubled as a remote control and was discontinued in 2017.

Mirra

Following Verro, Mirra served as a pool-cleaning robot capable of scrubbing both pool floors and walls. Production ended in 2014.

Military and policing robots

In April 2016, iRobot sold off its Defense & Security division, which became Endeavor Robotics. This unit was subsequently acquired by Teledyne FLIR in 2019, reflecting iRobot's strategic decision to shift focus away from military robotics toward consumer markets and other sectors.

First Generation Robots

Genghis (1991) was the inaugural robot from iRobot, created as a research platform. It is currently exhibited at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
Ariel (1996) is a crab-inspired robot engineered for mine clearance in both water and land environments.
Urbie (1997) was developed as a proof-of-concept robot for urban applications, equipped with tank-like tracks enabling stair navigation. It underwent field testing at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was later loaned to Columbus High School, where students refurbished it and compiled an operational manual. Constructed with a lightweight aluminum frame, Urbie features LED lights, video and infrared cameras transmitting to a handheld console, and remotely controlled motors allowing zero-radius turns. While its design resembles the PackBot Scout, it lacks a digital processor. In 2006, the robot received exterior refinishing and electronic upgrades.
SWARM is an AI initiative funded by DARPA aimed at developing algorithms to coordinate large groups of robots operating collectively.

PackBot

The PackBot series comprises military robots intended for reconnaissance, situational awareness, and explosive ordnance disposal missions. By 2009, more than 2,000 units had been deployed by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, signifying substantial adoption within defense robotics.

SUGV

This platform was developed by iRobot for the United States Army's Future Combat Systems program.

Warrior

The Warrior, anticipated for deployment around 2008, is a robotic vehicle capable of traversing rough terrain and stairs while carrying payloads exceeding . Its functions include bomb disposal, battlefield casualty evacuation, and firefighting operations.

R-Gator

Developed through collaboration with John Deere Corporation, the R-Gator is a compact utility vehicle integrated with autonomous robotic technology. It supports waypoint navigation with obstacle avoidance capabilities, follows infantry units and vehicles, and allows semi-autonomous teleoperation. The R-Gator remains in production today.

Negotiator

The Negotiator is a portable surveillance and reconnaissance robot intended for use in civil response scenarios.

Transphibian

The Transphibian is a man-portable unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) that functions as a bottom crawler, operating autonomously in shallow water environments. Its primary applications include mine detection, harbor security, and surveillance tasks.

Chembot

Funded by DARPA, Chembot is an experimental shape-shifting robot that operates without motors, wheels, or rigid components. Constructed from flexible dielectric elastomers and chemically powered, it changes shape when exposed to electric or magnetic fields. The project's goal is to create a fully soft robot capable of navigating through apertures as small as a 10 pence coin.

Ember

Weighing approximately 1 lb, the Ember is a lightweight tracked military robot designed to be nearly disposable due to its low production cost. It moves at a walking speed, can right itself if flipped over, and is operated via an iPhone touchscreen application. The robot assists infantry units by improving radio communication and capturing video.

AIRarm

Developed by iRobot, AIRarm is an inflatable robotic arm that utilizes pumps for inflation and actuators with string mechanisms instead of traditional motors at its joints, allowing for lightweight and flexible movement.

FirstLook

The compact reconnaissance robot FirstLook weighs 5.2 lb and reaches speeds up to 3.8 mph with a control range of 200 meters line-of-sight. It features visible and thermal cameras along with infrared sensors to relay surveillance images from structures like buildings or caves. Capable of carrying 2.5 lb of C4 for explosive ordnance disposal, it can also mesh sensor data from other robots to extend its operational awareness. Semi-autonomous capabilities include self-righting and course correction. In March 2012, JIEDDO procured 100 units, with the Pentagon ordering several hundred more.

RP-VITA

RP-VITA (Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine Assistant) is a cloud-connected medical robot developed jointly with InTouch Health. It provides access to patient health records and supports diagnostic tools such as stethoscopes, otoscopes, and ultrasound devices.

Ranger

The man-portable UUV known as Ranger is designed for mine countermeasures, expeditionary missions, homeland security operations, underwater surveillance, among other uses. It also fulfills roles in oceanographic research and commercial survey activities.

Seaglider

Produced by iRobot between 2008 and 2013 under an exclusive manufacturing agreement with the University of Washington, the Seaglider is a long-endurance dual-purpose autonomous underwater vehicle. Capable of months-long deployments covering thousands of kilometers on a single battery charge, networked Seagliders deliver cost-efficient real-time oceanographic data to researchers and naval intelligence alike. The platform additionally supports military operations as an unmanned underwater vehicle.

Training data on Facebook

iRobot encountered criticism after training datasets for the Roomba J7, including sensitive images such as a test subject using a toilet, were posted on Facebook. Test participants reportedly did not anticipate privacy risks, whereas iRobot maintained that participants were compensated and consented to data sharing. The company provided 2 million images to Scale AI for annotation but later terminated its relationship with this vendor.

Use of Reserved Frequency Without Regulation

iRobot requested a waiver from the FCC to operate within the 6240-6740 MHz frequency range for its lawn-mowing robot's radio beacon boundary system, which eliminates the need for electronic fences. This spectrum band is also allocated for radio astronomy purposes, specifically for monitoring methanol emissions, raising concerns among scientists about potential disruptions.

External links

Visit to iRobot and interview with Joe Dyer The Sunday Times 31 May 2009, Mark Harris
New York Times article on military robots including iRobot's PackBot
iRobot on antisniper device
iRobot 310 SUGV