On December 15, Reuters reported that on December 14 (local time), iRobot, a trailblazer in the field of robotic vacuum cleaners, declared its intention to file for bankruptcy protection. The company is slated to be acquired and taken private by its primary contract manufacturer, Shenzhen 3i Robotics.

iRobot, which was previously listed on NASDAQ, found itself in financial turmoil. This was primarily due to its sluggish product innovation efforts and a consequent decline in market competitiveness. As of November 24, 2025, iRobot has accumulated a debt of approximately RMB 2.5 billion owed to Shenzhen 3i Robotics. Among this, USD 90.9 million is already past due.

By taking over iRobot's debt, Shenzhen 3i Robotics has emerged as the company's largest creditor. It now plans to finalize the acquisition through bankruptcy reorganization procedures, with the process expected to wrap up before February 2026. If the acquisition is successfully completed, it will stand as a prime example of Chinese enterprises expanding their reach from the manufacturing sector to the brand - building arena.