iRobot’s Roombas Now Under Chinese Ownership, Assures Data Will Stay in the US

As part of its acquisition by Picea Robotics, iRobot is launching a new subsidiary in the US called iRobot Safe. This initiative aims to ensure the protection of US consumer data, drawing parallels to a recent deal involving another major platform. Customers in the US can continue using their robotic vacuums as they normally would, but their data will now be managed by iRobot Safe instead of the parent company.

In a statement released on January 23rd, iRobot emphasized that the establishment of iRobot Safe is intended to create a distinct boundary between the company’s non-US ownership and the handling of US and global consumer data. The new subsidiary will feature its own board, CEO, and data security officer based in the US. While iRobot will maintain its headquarters in Bedford, Massachusetts, it is now fully owned by Picea.

The formation of iRobot Safe follows closely on the heels of iRobot’s bankruptcy filing in December, which coincided with the announcement of its acquisition by Picea Robotics, after a previous acquisition attempt by Amazon fell through in 2024.