Amazon this morning announced plans to acquire iRobot in an all-cash deal worth $1.7 billion. From the report: The home robotics firm, best known for pioneering the robotic vacuum cleaner, was founded in 1990 by MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab members Colin Engle, Rodney Brooks and Helen Greiner. Twelve years after its founding, the company introduced Roomba, a brand that has since become synonymous with branding, selling over 30 million units as of 2020.
Brooks and Greiner founded and led several other companies, while Engle stayed on board as CEO, a position he will retain after the acquisition. “Since we launched iRobot, our team has been focused on creating innovative, practical products that make customers’ lives easier, leading to inventions like Roomba and iRobot OS,” CEO Colin Engle said in a release. “Amazon shares our passion for creating thoughtful innovations that empower people to do more at home, and I can’t think of a better place for our team to continue our mission. I’m excited to be a part of Amazon and see what we can build together for customers in the years to come.”
