Gadronics iRobot has confirmed it has filed for bankruptcy, marking a major turning point for one of the most recognisable names in home robotics.
As reported by PR Newswire, the company says the move is part of a court-supervised plan that will see it acquired by its secured lender and primary manufacturing partner, Picea.
According to iRobot, the process is a pre-packaged Chapter 11 filing in the US, designed to restructure the business quickly while keeping day-to-day operations running as normal. The company expects to complete the process by February 2026, after which iRobot will become a privately owned company under Picea’s control.
Crucially for existing customers, iRobot says there will be no disruption to your robot vacuums during the restructuring. Roomba robots, the iRobot app, customer support, and software updates are all expected to continue operating as usual while the company moves through the bankruptcy process.
The deal will see Picea acquire 100% of iRobot’s equity, significantly reducing the company’s debt and stabilising its finances. iRobot says this will allow it to continue investing in future robot vacuums and smart home technology, while maintaining its global presence.
However, the announcement comes with bad news for shareholders. iRobot has confirmed that existing common stock will be cancelled as part of the Chapter 11 plan, meaning shareholders are not expected to receive any recovery once the process is complete. As a result, iRobot’s shares will also be delisted from Nasdaq once the transaction is finalised.
iRobot CEO Gary Cohen described the move as a necessary step to secure the company’s long-term future, pointing to the opportunity to combine iRobot’s consumer-focused design and R&D with Picea’s manufacturing expertise.
Founded in 2002, iRobot effectively created the robot vacuum category with the original Roomba, selling millions of devices worldwide. While the company has faced increasing competition in recent years, it’s betting that a leaner structure and new ownership will help it remain a key player in the next phase of smart home robotics.
