Emerging Technologies Summary

iRobot, the well-known maker of the Roomba robot vacuum, has filed for bankruptcy protection after 35 years in operation. This decision comes after warnings earlier in the year that the company was running out of options.

According to reports, iRobot has entered a restructuring support agreement that will transfer control of the company to Shenzhen, a process that highlights the ongoing challenges in the robotics sector.

Meanwhile, advancements in quantum technology have gained momentum, with GQIs making top predictions for the field by 2026. They note that 2025 marked significant progress in quantum hardware, software, and ecosystem developments.

In telecommunications, there is a notable increase in the availability of 5G phones since their launch in 2019, which has led to a decrease in prices, making it an opportune time for consumers to consider upgrades.

Despite U.S. tech restrictions, China's AI sector is showing resilience and is poised for growth, as highlighted by a venture capitalist discussing the emergence of DeepSeek, which has boosted confidence in the sector's potential.