美国扫地机器人鼻祖破产，被中国代工厂“反向收购”了！

Core Viewpoint - iRobot has filed for bankruptcy protection and will be acquired by its main contract manufacturer and creditor, Picea Robotics, leading to a significant drop in its stock price and market value [2][5]. Company Overview - iRobot was founded in 1990 by members of MIT's AI lab and is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, with 274 employees [5]. - The company initially focused on defense and aerospace technology, later launching the Roomba series in 2002, which became a household name [5]. - iRobot's market value peaked at $3.56 billion in 2021 due to strong demand during the pandemic [5]. Financial Performance - iRobot's revenue declined by 24% in 2022 to $1.1834 billion, with a net loss of $286.3 million [5]. - In 2024, total revenue further dropped to $682 million, a 23.4% year-over-year decline, with a net loss of $145.5 million [6]. - By Q3 2025, revenue was only $146 million, down 24.6% from the previous year, with a significant loss of $9.9 million [6]. Market Position - iRobot once held over 80% of the U.S. market share for robotic vacuums, but its global market share has fallen to 7.9% [7][8]. - The company faces intense competition from Chinese brands, which have rapidly gained market share due to advantages in product innovation and cost control [6][7]. Bankruptcy Details - iRobot's bankruptcy filing was prompted by ongoing financial struggles, including a debt of $508 million and a significant loss of market share [9][10]. - The company has reached a restructuring support agreement with Picea Robotics, which will acquire 100% of iRobot's equity and relieve it of $191 million in loans and $162 million in overdue manufacturing fees [10][11]. - iRobot's cash and cash equivalents were only $24.8 million, with negative cash flow from operations of $104 million [10]. Future Outlook - iRobot anticipates that the bankruptcy process will not affect its application functionality, customer plans, or supply chain relationships [11]. - Picea Robotics, established in 2016, is a leading provider of mobile robot technology and has a strong production capacity, which may benefit iRobot post-acquisition [12].