iRobot files for Chapter 11 and is taken over by Picea

2025-12-14 · Publisher : iRobot · Domain : Robotics

The maker of the Roomba files a prepackaged Chapter 11 and hands 100% of its equity to its Chinese contract manufacturer Picea. Shareholders are wiped out; iRobot emerges on January 23, 2026.

### Background On December 14, 2025, iRobot, the US pioneer of robot vacuums with the Roomba, filed a prepackaged Chapter 11 in Delaware. A restructuring agreement transfers 100% of its equity to Shenzhen Picea Robotics, its main contract manufacturer, which already held most of its debt. The company emerged on January 23, 2026 as a US subsidiary of Picea. ### Specifications - Picea held more than $350 million in claims against iRobot, including about $191 million of debt bought from Carlyle. - Existing shareholders recover nothing and the stock is delisted from Nasdaq. - iRobot committed to keep its app, customer support and supplier relationships running during the proceedings. - On emergence, a US subsidiary, iRobot Safe, was created with an independent board to protect customer data; headquarters remain in Bedford, Massachusetts. ### Why it matters iRobot's fall follows the failed $1.7 billion Amazon acquisition, abandoned in early 2024 in the face of antitrust opposition, then 31% layoffs and the departure of founder Colin Angle. It also reflects the dominance of Chinese makers (Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame) in home robots. ### Key takeaways The best-known name in consumer robotics comes under Chinese ownership after 35 years.

Tags : Domestique, Faillite, Roomba, États-Unis, Chine