If you ’re a Roomba user concerned about your home ’s floor design terminate up in Amazon ’s script after the retailer discharge its purchase of the vacuum cleaner iRobot , those worries are over .
Amazon has abandoned theproposed $ 1.4 billion coup of iRobotaround 18 month after it was first announce .
The reason appear to be related to opponent from regulator in the European Union who had been investigating the spate over concern it may harm competition in the smart home space .
Many observers – this reporter include – had express concerns about the further sway Amazon would have on the smart rest home diligence and the privacy entailment for users , if the deal to a acquire therobot vacuum cleanercompany went ahead .
This was give Amazon ’s possession of Ring and Eufy as well as its own - branded Alexa - powered speakers , smart displays , television , thermostat and more . Plus there ’s deep consolidation with other brands ’ overbold home products via Alexa . Adding everything iRobot knows about its customers ’ homes and habits would have been something to be untrusting of in terms of privacy .
The EU had n’t rejected the wad at this point , but Amazon ’s statement seems to suggest it would have been unable to get it over the line . The company says consumer will suffer , invention will be dented and iRobot will witness it harder to compete as a result .
“ This termination will abnegate consumers degenerate founding and more competitive Price , which we ’re confident would have made their lives easier and more gratifying , ” Amazon sound out in a affirmation .
“ Mergers and acquisitions like this help companies like iRobot better vie in the global market , peculiarly against company , and from countries , that are n’t capable to the same regulatory requirement in fast - moving applied science section like robotics . ”
The cancellation of the acquisition has already make iRobot hard , with the caller announcing it is letting go of almost one third of its integral workforce . The father , CEO , and Chairman Colin Angle is also leaving the firm .
iRobot ’s statement read : “ The termination of the agreement with Amazon is disappointing , but iRobot now turn toward the future with a focus and commitment to keep establish heedful automaton and intelligent habitation innovation that make animation better , and that our customers around the world love . ”
