Amazon acquires iRobot in US$1.7 billion deal

Amazon has announced a US$1.7 billion deal to buy Roomba vacuum maker iRobot.

iRobot was one of the early pioneers in smart home technology, and has been producing automated robot vacuums since 2002. It launched an AI-powered OS earlier this year, which offers a range of additional software features to differentiate it from its competition.

The US$61 per share all-cash transaction will see Amazon further integrate itself into the smart home space, with the company already owning home security company Ring and operating the leading smart speaker business with Amazon Echo and its Alexa smart assistant. 

Colin Angle will remain as CEO of iRobot, with the exec saying: “Since we started iRobot, our team has been on a mission to create innovative, practical products that make customers’ lives easier, leading to inventions like the Roomba and iRobot OS. Amazon shares our passion for building thoughtful innovations that empower people to do more at home, and I cannot think of a better place for our team to continue our mission. I’m hugely excited to be a part of Amazon and to see what we can build together for customers in the years ahead.”

Dave Limp, SVP of Amazon Devices, said: “We know that saving time matters, and chores take precious time that can be better spent doing something that customers love. Over many years, the iRobot team has proven its ability to reinvent how people clean with products that are incredibly practical and inventive—from cleaning when and where customers want while avoiding common obstacles in the home, to automatically emptying the collection bin. Customers love iRobot products—and I’m excited to work with the iRobot team to invent in ways that make customers’ lives easier and more enjoyable.”

Read Next