Search through our UKHotViews and UKHotViewExtra articles plus complete research reports
Amazon buys iRobot fot $1.7b
Imagine saying ‘Alexa – Mop the kitchen floor’ or ‘Alexa – vacuum the lounge’. That came a step closer to a reality on Friday when Amazon agreed to buy iRobot for $1.7b. iRobot's most well known product is the circular Roomba vacuum. But they also make an iRobot Mop. I see that the two, as a package deal, will set you back c£1500! But I have to remind myself that I’ve just spent c£500 on a rechargeable (but rather dumb) Dyson!
Several of our neighbours have installed robot lawn mowers – and seem very happy to watch the little beasts roam around their lawns all day. (Note – I’d just be happy to still have a lawn as mine has turned to straw)
Of course, the iRobot purchase is all part of Amazon’s ambition to own the ‘Smart home’. They have certainly achieved a dominant position with Alexa/Echo smart speakers, Ring door bells, security cameras and systems etc. I’d previous thought (and written) that this should have been Apple’s stomping ground. But they seem to have surrendered it to Amazon.
In turn Amazon faces a lot of competition particularly on price from the Far East/China. On top of that, Amazon faces increased concern about how much it already knows about us. Now it will acquire an internal map of our houses too. Next we could have our very own Kirsty Allsopp robot telling us to knock down walls and install bifold doors – all available from Amazon, of course!
Posted by: Richard Holway at 15:12
© TechMarketView LLP 2007-2022: Unauthorised reproduction prohibited see full Terms and Conditions.