These new Roombas aren’t the robots I know and love
1 min read
Summary
iRobot has launched eight new Roombas which The Verge believes don’t look like the Roombas they’ve become used to over the years.
They’re much more akin to competitors’ designs and have fewer of the features that made the brand stand out.
These features include the brand’s unique navigation system and its signature dust bin.
The company has also shifted production to a single Chinese company that makes vacuums for various different brands, including iRobot.
iRobot’s CEO says the new products will boost profits, but in the process they risk sacrificing what makes Roombas, Roombas.
The company has struggled with competition and a failed $1.7bn Amazon acquisition.
It ultimately had to lay off over half of its staff and has a mountain of debt.
Rather than innovate, the company has opted to copy its competition to save on costs.
iRobot says it will continue to invest in software intelligence and machine learning, but these developments will be tough while it has a reduced workforce and a slashed R&D budget.