Both parties have signed the sale, which has yet to be approved by various global regulatory agencies.
Amazon is unaware of the crisis and has just announced to everyone’s surprise that it has acquired the American robot vacuum cleaner specialist.
Amazon buys the world’s number one robot vacuum cleaner
The e-commerce giant has therefore just bought iRobot for $1.7 billion, or 61% per share. The operation will be entirely financed in cash.
The press release accompanying the announcement also states that Colin Angle, CEO and Chairman of iRobot’s Board of Directors will remain in his role once the sale is completed.
Amazon does not say for the moment if the iRobot technologies will be absorbed by its various entities dedicated to the design of objects for the home or if the brand will continue to operate on its side. If we look at Ring, a specialist in home surveillance and also bought by Amazon in 2018, we can expect the robot vacuum specialist to continue its activities in the same way as today. today.
The e-merchant is very interested in the smart home and robotics
The announcement of the takeover is a surprise, but fits perfectly into the strategy initiated by Amazon for several years. The e-merchant offers more and more equipment such as Echo connected speakers, Ring surveillance cameras or even Fire TV TV boxes.
With the acquisition of iRobot, Amazon has a place of choice in the competitive universe of robot vacuum cleaners. iRobot is indeed the best-known brand in the sector, but also the number one manufacturer of this type of device with an estimated market share of 46% of global sales in 2020.
Amazon has also shown an interest in the world of robotics with Astro, its Alexa-equipped home robot assistant presented in 2021, and iRobot’s experience in the field could accelerate the group’s developments in this field. . iRobot had also presented a few months ago iRobot OS, its operating system supposed to better understand the habits of users at home thanks to artificial intelligence.
If the nuptials are announced, the marriage between Amazon and iRobot should wait a few more months. The regulatory authorities must now analyze the file before rendering their verdict and whether or not to authorize the sale.
The American manufacturer iRobot is one of the best known and recognized in the robot vacuum sector. In two decades, he has released many models for all audiences and all budgets.
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Source : Amazon
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