Colin Angle dedicated 15 years to creating consumer robots that appealed to the market. His breakthrough came with the introduction of the Roomba, a small, round vacuum that interacts with furniture. This product unexpectedly gained popularity as owners started anthropomorphizing their devices, often giving them names and treating them like pets.
After co-founding iRobot in 1990 with colleagues from MIT, the Roomba's launch in 2002 followed a lengthy development journey. It emerged not just as a functional device but as a cultural icon, reflecting a deep emotional connection that many consumers formed with it. To date, over 50 million units have been sold worldwide, highlighting the Roomba's significant impact on the daily lives of many.
However, despite its success, iRobot faced substantial financial challenges. In December 2025, the company filed for pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leading to its acquisition by Shenzhen Picea Robotics in January 2026. This acquisition aimed to provide iRobot with a sustainable path forward under new ownership after a challenging period.
Since stepping down from his position as CEO prior to the bankruptcy, Angle has shifted his focus to a new venture called Familiar Machines & Magic. This new company seeks to innovate at the intersection of physical robotics and advanced artificial intelligence technologies, developing robots that can understand and adapt to their environments.
Angle has emphasized an important lesson from the Roomba’s journey: consumers desire not just functional robots but also those that resonate on an emotional level within their homes. This insight is increasingly relevant as the robotic landscape evolves, with competitors offering advanced capabilities like lidar navigation and self-emptying features at unprecedented price points. Under new management, iRobot is challenged to innovate and maintain its position in a rapidly changing marketplace.