iRobot did file Chapter 11 on December 14, 2025, but it was not liquidated. Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co., Ltd., together with Santrum Hong Kong Co., Limited, completed a court-supervised acquisition on January 23, 2026. iRobot emerged as a private company, Picea acquired 100% of its equity, and existing common stock was cancelled.
For Roomba owners, the company said operations, app functionality and product support were expected to continue. For former shareholders, the bankruptcy plan did not provide an ownership stake in the reorganized company.
What happened to iRobot?
Founded by MIT engineers in 1990, iRobot introduced the first Roomba in 2002. After roughly 35 years in business, the company and its subsidiaries filed voluntary, prepackaged Chapter 11 cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on December 14, 2025.
The restructuring agreement had been negotiated with Shenzhen PICEA Robotics, iRobot’s primary contract manufacturer and a major creditor. The court approved the plan on January 8, 2026. Picea’s acquisition closed on January 23, 2026, when iRobot became privately held.
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- POWERFUL CLEANING YOU CAN SEE—AND FEEL. The Roomba 105X devours dirt with 70X more power‑lifting suction* to pull embedded dust, crumbs, and pet hair from carpets and hard floors. .*Compared to Roomba 600 series robots.
- 3‑STAGE CLEANING SYSTEM. Combines intense suction, a Multi‑Surface brush, and an Edge‑Sweeping brush to leave floors truly barefoot‑clean—not just surface tidy.
- SMART LIDAR MAPPING = NO MISSED ROOMS. ClearView LiDAR maps your home quickly and cleans in neat, efficient rows, delivering consistent coverage instead of random paths.
- CONFIDENT CLEANING, DAY OR NIGHT. Avoids furniture, cords, and everyday obstacles—even in low light—so cleaning continues smoothly without getting stuck.
- CUSTOM ROOM‑BY‑ROOM CLEANING. Schedule cleans, target high‑traffic areas, adjust suction, and add extra passes where messes build up.
This was a financial reorganization, not a Chapter 7 shutdown. Chapter 11 supplied the legal process for restructuring obligations, cancelling old equity and transferring control while the operating business continued.
Sources: iRobot restructuring announcement; court plan materials; emergence announcement.
iRobot bankruptcy and acquisition timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1990 | iRobot is founded. |
| 2002 | The first Roomba launches. |
| December 14, 2025 | iRobot files voluntary, prepackaged Chapter 11 cases in Delaware. |
| December 15, 2025 | Nasdaq determines that iRobot common stock will be delisted because of the bankruptcy filing. |
| January 8, 2026 | The bankruptcy court approves the restructuring plan. |
| January 23, 2026 | Picea’s acquisition closes; iRobot emerges as a private company. |
Who is Shenzhen Picea?
The buyer is Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co., Ltd., formerly known as Shenzhen 3irobotix Co., Ltd. Santrum Hong Kong Co., Limited was also part of the transaction. Picea was not simply an outside bidder: it was iRobot’s primary contract manufacturer, with manufacturing connections in China and Vietnam, and had also become a significant lender and creditor.
As of October 31, 2025, iRobot reported owing Picea $158.3 million, including $29.1 million past due. That supplier-and-creditor relationship gave Picea substantial leverage in negotiating the restructuring.
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- 75 DAYS HANDS‑FREE .The Roomba 105X Combo + AutoEmpty Dock captures dirt and dust in a sealed bag that locks in 99% of allergens (0.7 microns), so you can cleanup without touching the mess or releasing dust into the air.
- VACUUMS & MOPS TOGETHER TO SAVE TIME. Combines powerful vacuuming with a built‑in microfiber mop to clean hard floors in one run—less manual work for busy homes.
- POWERFUL CLEANING YOU CAN SEE—AND FEEL. Devours dirt with 70X more power‑lifting suction* to pull embedded dust, crumbs, and pet hair from carpets and hard floors. The 3‑Stage Cleaning System combines intense suction, a Multi‑Surface brush, and an Edge‑Sweeping brush to leave floors truly barefoot‑clean—not just surface tidy.*Compared to Roomba 600 series robots.
- 2× DEEPER SCRUBBING FOR STICKY FLOORS. SmartScrub uses a micro‑pump to keep the mop pad evenly moist for deeper cleaning of footprints, spills, and dried‑on messes.**
- SMART LIDAR MAPPING = NO MISSED ROOMS. ClearView LiDAR maps your home quickly and cleans in neat, efficient rows, delivering consistent coverage instead of random paths.
Sources: transaction filing; restructuring agreement; iRobot quarterly filing.
Why did iRobot fail?
No single public filing establishes one cause. The record points to several pressures acting together:
- Persistent financial strain and going-concern concerns.
- Dependence on third-party manufacturing and large inventory and purchase-order commitments.
- Trade tariffs and supply-chain costs.
- Intensifying competition in robot vacuums while iRobot maintained a premium-brand position.
- A substantial unpaid balance to Picea and the resulting creditor pressure.
- The collapse of Amazon’s proposed acquisition after regulatory scrutiny.
Amazon announced its proposed iRobot purchase in 2022, but the deal was abandoned in January 2024. It was an important strategic setback, not a proven sole cause of the bankruptcy nearly two years later. Appellate-court material discussing that transaction is available at the First Circuit.
Financial and operating details appear in iRobot’s quarterly filing and annual report.
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- UP TO 75 DAYS HANDS-FREE CLEANING. Dirt and dust stay gone because it empties into the AutoEmpty dock with a bag that traps 99% of allergens as small as 0.7 microns- That means no mess or cloud of dust when you empty it- Just drop the used bag into the trash and put a new one in the base.
- DEVOURS DIRT WITH 70X MORE POWER-LIFTING SUCTION. 3-Stage Cleaning includes 70X more power-lifting suction*, a Multi-Surface brush, and Edge-Sweeping brush to devour dirt and dust bunnies and leave floors barefoot clean *As compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- SUPER-SMART MAPPING AND NAVIGATION. ClearView LiDAR quickly maps your home to maximize coverage and provide a precise clean while steering smoothly around obstacles and specialized sensors prevent falling down stairs.
- FULLY CUSTOM & TARGETED CLEANING. Schedule and target rooms based on your daily routine and adjust the number of cleaning passes and levels of suction power.
- EASY-TO-USE ROOMBA HOME APP. Simply tap to set a custom clean, get time estimates, check on the filter life, or create keep-out zones to avoid specific areas.
What happened to iRobot shareholders?
The Chapter 11 plan cancelled existing common equity. Reorganized-company equity was allocated to specified creditor classes, with court documents describing 95% and 5% allocations. Former Nasdaq shareholders should therefore not be treated as owners of the private iRobot that emerged from bankruptcy, and the transaction was not an ordinary merger cash-out.
Brokerage records may continue to show a cancelled security or a final corporate-action entry. Questions about loss documentation, tax treatment or claims should be directed to a brokerage and qualified tax or legal professional.
What does the deal mean for Roomba owners?
iRobot said during the case that it expected ordinary-course operations to continue, with no anticipated disruption to app functionality, customer programs, global partners, supply-chain relationships or ongoing product support. The completed acquisition does not by itself make existing Roombas obsolete.
Practical steps for current owners
- Confirm that the robot still appears and operates in the iRobot app.
- Save purchase receipts, warranty records, model numbers and serial numbers.
- Keep the current working app and firmware unless iRobot support instructs otherwise.
- Buy filters, brushes, bags, batteries and mop supplies through reputable or official channels.
- Review privacy policies and cloud-service terms for changes.
Continuity statements support ongoing service, not a permanent guarantee that every warranty, subscription, return policy, cloud feature or replacement part will remain unchanged. Check the terms that apply to your purchase and region.
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- A DEEPER CLEAN—EVEN WHERE DIRT LOVES TO HIDE. With advanced DualClean Mop Pads and PerfectEdge technology the Roomba Plus 505X reaches deeper into corners and along walls, covering 18% more floor area* so spills, crumbs, and sticky spots don’t get left behind. * Compared to standard vacuum & mop mode on coffee and grime.
- THE DOCK THAT HANDLES THE DIRTY WORK. The AutoWash Dock empties debris for up to 75 days and washes, refreshes, and heat‑dries mop pads—so you enjoy up to 4 weeks of hands‑free mopping* with consistently fresh results.
- POWERFUL ENOUGH FOR REAL‑LIFE MESSES. From scattered cereal to muddy pawprints, enjoy confident cleaning with up to 70× stronger suction* paired with dual mop pads, a multi‑surface rubber brush, and edge‑sweeping brush. * As compared to Roomba 600 series robots.
- AVOIDS CORDS, SOCKS—EVEN PET ACCIDENTS. PrecisionVision AI instantly recognizes common household obstacles and steers around them. It also detects wet and dry messes ahead and automatically makes extra passes for a noticeably cleaner result.
- SMARTER NAVIGATION, FEWER WORRIES. ClearView Pro LiDAR maps your home precisely and cleans efficiently day or night, while built‑in cliff sensors help prevent falls near stairs and ledges.
Does Picea own Roomba?
Yes. As of January 23, 2026, Picea acquired 100% of iRobot’s equity through the restructuring. The Roomba brand, products, patents, software and customer relationships continued as part of the reorganized operating business.
Is iRobot still a public company?
No. Nasdaq delisted the common stock after the filing, and the restructuring cancelled the public equity. iRobot is now privately owned. See the delisting filing and emergence filing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What could change under Picea?
Potential benefits
- Closer alignment between product engineering and manufacturing.
- Less manufacturing friction and potentially faster product iteration.
- A stronger financial foundation after debt restructuring.
- Continued investment in smart-home robotics, as stated by the company.
Those are stated strategic aims, not independently proven results.
Questions to watch
- Will U.S. engineering and research operations be maintained?
- Will reliability, parts availability and support for older models improve or deteriorate?
- Will mapping, data storage and privacy practices change?
- Could tariffs, trade restrictions or national-security concerns affect products?
- Can iRobot regain market share against lower-priced competitors?
None of these outcomes is established by the ownership change alone. The available materials do not establish that customer data moved to China or that privacy worsened.
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- UP TO 75 DAYS HANDS-FREE CLEANING. Dirt and dust stay gone because it empties into the AutoEmpty dock with a bag that traps 99% of allergens as small as 0.7 microns. That means no mess or cloud of dust when you empty it. Just drop the used bag into the trash and put a new one in the base.
- DEVOURS DIRT WITH 70X MORE POWER-LIFTING SUCTION. Find, reach and eliminate messes with the combined power of 70X more suction*, multi-surface brush, 20% better edge and corner cleaning with an edge-sweeping brush, to devour dirt and dust bunnies, plus a microfiber mop pad to leave floors shiny.
- SUPER-SMART MAPPING AND NAVIGATION. ClearView LiDAR quickly maps your home to maximize coverage and provide a precise clean while steering smoothly around obstacles and specialized sensors prevent falling down stairs.
- RUGS STAY DRY WHILE MOPPING. Unlike other cleaning robots, the Roomba 105 Combo Robot automatically detects and avoids carpets while mopping so your rugs stay dry – no complex programming required.
- FULLY CUSTOM CLEANING. Choose from settings including vac only, mop only, or combo vac-mop. Schedule and target rooms based on your daily routine and adjust the number of cleaning passes, levels of suction power, and amount of mopping solution pumped onto the microfiber mopping pad.
Should you buy a Roomba now?
Bankruptcy creates uncertainty, but it is not proof that every Roomba is a bad purchase. Evaluate the specific model and the seller’s terms:
- Cleaning performance on your floors, navigation and obstacle avoidance.
- Availability and cost of bags, filters, brushes, batteries and mop pads.
- Warranty, return period and app reliability.
- Dependence on cloud services and your privacy preferences.
- Total ownership cost and your tolerance for support changes under new ownership.
Official U.S. examples
Prices observed on iRobot’s U.S. pages on August 16, 2026 were promotional and volatile: Roomba 105 Combo at $199.99; 105 Vac with AutoEmpty Dock at $279.99; 105 Combo with AutoEmpty Dock at $299.99; 205 DustCompactor Combo at $469.99; and Max 715 Vac with AutoEmpty Dock at $699.99. Higher-end Max and Combo models were listed at roughly $999.99 to $1,399.99. Check the catalog, deals page and Roomba catalog for current prices.
The site advertised free U.S. shipping over $39.99, a 60-day home trial, a same-model price-match/refund policy at authorized retailers, a terms-based 10% email sign-up offer and trade-in eligibility checks. Offers vary by geography, model and promotion period.
Alternatives to compare
Roborock (us.roborock.com), Dreame (dreametech.com), eufy (eufy.com), Ecovacs (ecovacs.com/us) and Shark (sharkclean.com) are comparison candidates. No brand is objectively superior without model-specific testing; compare navigation, mopping, parts, support, privacy and software longevity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Was iRobot liquidated?
No. It used Chapter 11 to reorganize its finances and transfer ownership while continuing as an operating business.
Can I still use my Roomba app?
iRobot said app functionality was expected to continue. Keep your app installed and monitor current support and privacy terms.
Is iRobot now Chinese-owned?
The precise description is that Shenzhen PICEA Robotics, with Santrum Hong Kong, acquired iRobot through a court-supervised restructuring. The sources do not establish that every product is made in China or that customer data moved there.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
