The company iRobot sells its products worldwide and is most famous for the circular-shaped Roomba vacuum.
NEW YORK — Amazon on Friday announced it has agreed to acquire the vacuum cleaner maker iRobot for approximately $1.7 billion, scooping up another company to add to its collection of smart home appliances amid broader concerns about its market power.
Amazon’s Astro robot, which helps with tasks like setting an alarm, was unveiled last year at an introductory price of $1,000. But its rollout has been limited and has received a lackluster response. On Friday, iRobot reported its quarterly results. Revenue plunged 30% primarily on order reductions and delays, and the company announced it was laying off 10% of its workforce.
On Friday, groups advocating for stricter antitrust regulations called on regulators to block the iRobot merger, arguing it gives Amazon more access into consumers’ lives and furthers its dominance in the smart home market. Landmark antitrust legislation targeting Amazon and other Big Tech companies has languished for months in Congress as prospects for votes by the full Senate or House have dimmed.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Consumer Advocates Blast 'Dangerous' Amazon Bid to Buy Maker of Roomba\u0022From a privacy perspective, this is a nightmare,\u0022 said one anti-monopoly critic. \u0022From an antitrust perspective, this is one of the most powerful data collection companies on Earth acquiring another vast and intrusive set of data.\u0022
Read more »
Amazon is buying iRobot, the creator of the Roomba robot vacuum | EngadgetAmazon is acquiring iRobot, the creator of the Roomba robovac, for $1.7 billion..
Read more »
Amazon to acquire Roomba robot vacuum maker for $1.7 billionAmazon is acquiring the company behind Roombas, adding the robot vacuum product line to its long line of products.
Read more »
Amazon to buy Roomba vacuum maker iRobot for $1.7 billionRobotic vacuum cleaner manufacturer will also lay off 10% of its workers as sales slump.
Read more »
Amazon to buy vacuum maker iRobot for roughly $1.7BAmazon on Friday announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the vacuum cleaner maker iRobot for approximately $1.7 billion.
Read more »
Amazon to buy vacuum maker iRobot for roughly $1.7B, adding to smart home appliance collectionIt's a move that will allow Amazon to scoop up another company to add to its collection of smart home appliances amid broader concerns about its market power.
Read more »