暴跌超70%！扫地机器人鼻祖iRobot宣布破产，中国债主或接盘

Core Viewpoint - iRobot is undergoing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection process, with Shenzhen Picea Robotics acquiring 100% ownership and canceling $190 million in debt, marking a significant restructuring effort for the company [1][3][6]. Group 1: Company Background and History - iRobot was founded in 1990 by three MIT researchers and gained fame with the launch of the Roomba vacuum robot in 2002, which became a household name [3][8]. - The company reached a market peak of $3.56 billion in 2021 but has since seen its market value plummet to approximately $38 million [4][8]. - iRobot has sold over 40 million home robots and currently employs 274 staff members [9]. Group 2: Financial Challenges and Market Position - In 2024, iRobot generated approximately $682 million in total revenue, but profits were severely impacted by price competition from Chinese rivals like Ecovacs [7]. - Despite holding significant market shares of 42% in the U.S. and 65% in Japan, the company faced intense competition that forced price reductions and substantial investments in technology upgrades [7]. - U.S. tariff policies have added to the financial strain, with a 46% tariff on imports from Vietnam increasing costs by $23 million in 2025 [7]. Group 3: Recent Developments and Future Outlook - The acquisition by Picea Robotics is expected to enhance iRobot's financial strength and ensure the continuity of its operations and commitments to consumers and partners [5][6]. - The bankruptcy process will not affect the functionality of iRobot's applications, customer plans, global partnerships, supply chain relationships, or product support [6]. - The failed acquisition by Amazon, which was valued at approximately $1.7 billion, resulted in a $94 million compensation payment to iRobot and significant layoffs [8].