股价暴跌触发熔断！“扫地机器人鼻祖”申请破产：负债35亿元

Core Viewpoint - iRobot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, aiming for a restructuring that will lead to its acquisition by Chinese manufacturer Picea, allowing it to optimize its balance sheet and maintain operations while exiting the public market [1][2]. Group 1: Bankruptcy Filing and Restructuring - iRobot submitted a Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection application on December 14, 2023, with plans to complete the process by February 2026 [1]. - The company has reached a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) with its secured creditors and major manufacturer Picea, which will acquire 100% of iRobot's shares [1][2]. - The restructuring aims to improve iRobot's balance sheet and enable investment in next-generation robotics and smart home innovations [2]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Position - iRobot's revenue in 2022 fell by 24% to $1.1834 billion, with a net loss of $286.3 million [10]. - The company faced significant declines in revenue across various regions, including a 43% drop in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, an 18% decline in the U.S., and a 6% decrease in Japan [10]. - iRobot's market share has diminished significantly, with its share dropping to 7.9% in 2025, as it was pushed out of the top five global brands in the robotic vacuum market [16]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - iRobot has struggled to keep pace with competitors, particularly Chinese brands that have adopted advanced technologies like laser navigation and automatic mopping, while iRobot has been slow to innovate [8][10]. - The company has faced intense competition from local brands such as Ecovacs and Roborock, which have rapidly evolved their product offerings [10]. - iRobot's flagship products remain priced significantly higher than those of competitors, with some models exceeding $1,000, three times the price of similar products from Chinese brands [8]. Group 4: Impact of Acquisition Attempts - iRobot's potential acquisition by Amazon for approximately $1.7 billion was blocked by regulatory scrutiny, leading to significant operational challenges for the company [10][11]. - Following the termination of the acquisition, iRobot laid off about 350 employees, representing 31% of its workforce, and refocused on core floor care innovations [12].