Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 7
iRobot Launches 5 Self-Emptying Roombas Under $1,000 After Bankruptcy Sale
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 7

iRobot Launches 5 Self-Emptying Roombas Under $1,000 After Bankruptcy Sale

3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 7

Summary

  • Five new Roomba robot vacuums went on sale in the U.S. on July 7, marking iRobot’s first domestic robot launch since its December bankruptcy filing and sale to Picea Robotics.
  • All five models include auto-emptying docks and list at $1,000 or less, led by the $1,000 Roomba Max 775 Combo with LiDAR mapping, camera-based obstacle avoidance and a mop-washing dock.
  • Three other mop-capable models span $600 to $800—the Plus 575, Plus 515 and Plus 415—while the $700 Max 715 is a vacuum-only model with dual anti-tangle rollers.
  • The new lineup reflects iRobot’s post-Picea push to compete in a crowded market with lower-priced, feature-heavy machines; all models are available now on iRobot’s website.

Insights

Is iRobot's tap-water-to-sanitizer feature a game-changer or just a market gimmick?
After bankruptcy and a buyout, can iRobot's new technology truly challenge its dominant market rivals?
Did blocking the Amazon deal inadvertently hand a top US robotics company to foreign ownership?