Amazon has announced an agreement to acquire iRobot, for roughly 1.7 billion. iRobot is best known worldwide as a result of its popular robotic vacuum “Roomba”.
Roomba is a compatible robotic vacuum cleaner introduced by iRobots in September 2002, designed to ease off home cleaning. It serves as a perfect cleaning solution.
“Over many years”, the iRobot team has proven its ability to reinvent how people clean with products that are incredibly practical and inventive. Said Dave limp senior vice president of Amazon devices.
Amazon will acquire iRobot, including its debt for $61 per share in an all-cash transaction, with iRobot’s CEO, Colin Angle, maintaining his position.
The deal ranks among Amazon’s massive acquisitions as it follows the procurement of one medical which goes for $3.9 billion. Apparently, Amazon seeks to provide an array of smart home devices as its lineup includes Ring Video doorbell and home security products, Alexa-enabled echo displays and speakers, and fine Tv streaming devices.
According to Amazon, “iRobot already often products that are compatible with Alexa and the voice assistants(when we have no plan change).”. Although amazon at yet to provide details about how it plans to use iRobot and also how it will integrate iRobot with the rest of the company.
The iRobots is designed as a mapping device that maps the homes they operate in, as a result, it sprung concern among some digital groups and advocacy groups that Amazon wishes to exert dominance through iRobot and other smart home appliances owned by the company as they believe acquiring appliances that have home mapping devices means having intimate information on people’s home.
As Amazon also has a tech record of acquiring or producing technology that raises concerns pertaining to privacy issues.
Although Amazon company spokesman Miller, provided a statement that refutes such claims. ” customer trust is something we have worked hard to earn- and work hard to keep- every day” the statement said.
