Amazon announces deal to buy maker Roomba for $1.7 billion
Amazon announces deal to buy maker Roomba for $1.7 billion
Enlarge / iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum.
i robot
Amazon just announced a blockbuster deal to buy home robotics company iRobot for $1.7 billion. The pending acquisition would be Amazon's fourth largest ever, following the purchase of grocery chain Whole Foods in 2017 ($13.7 billion), movie studio MGM in 2021 ($8.45 billion dollars) and medical provider One Medical last month ($3.9 billion).
iRobot is the world leader in consumer robotics. The company primarily makes Roomba robot vacuums and mops, and is also trying to get a robot mower off the ground.
Amazon is no stranger to robots; it has an entire "Amazon Robotics" division that focuses on the company's logistics work in Amazon's warehouses. Amazon acquired warehouse robotics company Kiva Systems in 2012 and Canvas Technology in 2019 and recently launched its first "fully autonomous" robot, called "Proteus", which resembles an industrial-strength Roomba. Instead of vacuuming, the device goes under an inventory cart and lifts it a few inches, just enough to get the cart off the ground for delivery.
Amazon has also dipped its toes into iRobot territory lately with the commercial launch of the "Astro" home robot. Astro is basically an Alexa/camera/tablet on wheels that can navigate around the house. However, sales are by invitation only, so this is more of a test than a mainstream launch.
Amazon doesn't mention the little home robot at all in its press release, however, with Dave Limp, SVP of Amazon Devices, saying, "We know saving time is important, and chores take time. valuable that can be put to better use. doing something customers love. For many years, the iRobot team has proven its ability to reinvent the way people clean with incredibly convenient and inventive products, clean when and where customers want it while avoiding common obstacles around the home, to self-emptying the collection bin."
The press release says iRobot CEO Colin Angle will remain at the helm of iRobot, and the deal is subject to regulatory approval.
Amazon just announced a blockbuster deal to buy home robotics company iRobot for $1.7 billion. The pending acquisition would be Amazon's fourth largest ever, following the purchase of grocery chain Whole Foods in 2017 ($13.7 billion), movie studio MGM in 2021 ($8.45 billion dollars) and medical provider One Medical last month ($3.9 billion).
iRobot is the world leader in consumer robotics. The company primarily makes Roomba robot vacuums and mops, and is also trying to get a robot mower off the ground.
Amazon is no stranger to robots; it has an entire "Amazon Robotics" division that focuses on the company's logistics work in Amazon's warehouses. Amazon acquired warehouse robotics company Kiva Systems in 2012 and Canvas Technology in 2019 and recently launched its first "fully autonomous" robot, called "Proteus", which resembles an industrial-strength Roomba. Instead of vacuuming, the device goes under an inventory cart and lifts it a few inches, just enough to get the cart off the ground for delivery.
Amazon has also dipped its toes into iRobot territory lately with the commercial launch of the "Astro" home robot. Astro is basically an Alexa/camera/tablet on wheels that can navigate around the house. However, sales are by invitation only, so this is more of a test than a mainstream launch.
Amazon doesn't mention the little home robot at all in its press release, however, with Dave Limp, SVP of Amazon Devices, saying, "We know saving time is important, and chores take time. valuable that can be put to better use. doing something customers love. For many years, the iRobot team has proven its ability to reinvent the way people clean with incredibly convenient and inventive products, clean when and where customers want it while avoiding common obstacles around the home, to self-emptying the collection bin."
The press release says iRobot CEO Colin Angle will remain at the helm of iRobot, and the deal is subject to regulatory approval.
Enlarge / iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum.
i robot
