Amazon will buy iRobot for $1.7 billion, further strengthening its presence in the consumer robotics market. The maker of Roomba robot vacuums has a lot to gain.
Amazon decided to buy iRobot for $61 per share, an all-cash deal that values robot vacuum cleaner Roomba at $1.7 billion. The two companies made this surprise announcement just a few hours ago.
Amazon to buy iRobot for $1.7 billion
This acquisition will further strengthen Amazon’s presence in the consumer robotics market. The American e-commerce giant gambled big last year when it unveiled its Astro home robot, a $1,500 device equipped with voice digital assistant Alexa that can follow users to every corner of their home. The multinational has also launched a whole host of devices and accessories that customers can control with their voice, whether it’s thermometers, light bulbs or even microwave ovens.
Enough to further strengthen its presence in the consumer robotics market
“For many years, the iRobot team has demonstrated a great ability to reinvent the way people clean with incredibly practical and inventive products – to clean when and where customers want while avoiding obstacles. common in a house to the automatic emptying of the collection bin”, explained Dave Limp, manager of devices at Amazon, in a press release. “Customers love iRobot products and I look forward to working with the iRobot team to invent and provide customers with an easier and more enjoyable life.”
The maker of Roomba robot vacuums has a lot to gain
iRobot, founded in 1990 by researchers from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is known for Roomba, robot vacuum cleaners that can autonomously clean floors in homes. The company has also launched mopping robots as well as swimming pool cleaners and offers interested customers a program via subscription allowing in particular to automatically replace its devices if necessary.
Once this acquisition is complete, iRobot CEO Colin Angle will continue to lead the company. Shares of iRobot were suspended immediately after the deal was announced. Amazon’s stock, meanwhile, was down about 0.5% before the market opened.
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