China's Picea Acquires iRobot, Strengthening Smart Vacuum Market Dominance

Chinese robotics manufacturers are set to cement their dominance in the global smart vacuum market with Picea Robotics acquisition of Roomba maker iRobot, after the US firm's proposed sale to Amazon.com last year fell through due to regulatory hurdles.

China-based suppliers held the top five spots for worldwide smart robotic vacuum shipments in the first three quarters of 2025, led by Roborock with a 21.7 percent market share, equal to 3.8 million units, according to data from research firm IDC.

Ecovacs vaulted into second place with a 14.1 percent overall share, driven by a 27.7 percent hike in shipments, while Dreame, with 12.4 percent of the global market, dominated in Europe. Adopting a value-for-money strategy, Xiaomi maintained a 10 percent share to take fourth place while Narwal rounded out the top five with a 7.5 percent share.

Combined, the five Chinese brands took nearly 70 percent of the global smart robotic vacuum market. Worldwide shipments rose 18.7 percent year on year to 17.4 million units in the first three quarters of 2025, according to IDC.

Picea's acquisition of iRobot comes after the US firm filed for bankruptcy protection on Sunday amid intense competition from Chinese rivals and mounting tariffs. This acquisition highlights China's growing influence in the smart vacuum sector, indicating a shift in global market dynamics and underscoring the competitive landscape and innovation in home automation technologies.