Recently, iRobot, the U.S.-based company renowned for developing the "Roomba" robotic vacuum cleaner, has sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in accordance with the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Gary Cohen, the company's CEO, pointed out that iRobot lags behind its Chinese counterparts by a staggering four years in terms of product technological innovation. He also mentioned that delays in acquisition reviews and misguided business decisions have stifled innovation, ultimately allowing competitors to surge ahead.

On December 14, iRobot officially announced its bankruptcy filing. Once approved by the U.S. court, all of its shares will be transferred to a subsidiary of China's Shine Group. The company aims to complete the necessary procedures by February 2026 and undergo operational restructuring under the guidance of Shine Group. It's worth noting that Amazon's previous acquisition attempt fell through due to the lack of approval from U.S. and European antitrust authorities.

Cohen, who took over as CEO in May 2024, emphasized that after joining forces with Shine Group, the brand and its sales system will remain intact. Moreover, the company plans to adopt the rapid pace of Chinese product development to regain its competitive edge.