Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

In The News

IRobot faces a murky future amid rising Roomba competitors

The company is still “number one,” said Elizabeth Parks, president of market research firm Parks Associates in Dallas. But it’s a shaky number one. Parks estimates that iRobot had nearly two-thirds of the robot vacuum market in 2018, but now holds only a 48 percent share. Meanwhile, rival robot makers like SharkNinja, Roborock, Eufy, and Ecovacs have been steadily chipping away.

One possible reason, according to Parks, is concern about data privacy. More advanced versions of the Roomba and other robots use visual sensors to generate detailed maps of the user’s home. This information is shared with the manufacturers to develop more advanced products, but it could also potentially be used to monitor users.

From the article, "IRobot faces a murky future amid rising Roomba competitors" by Hiawatha Bray

Previously In The News

Security Industry Forecast: Experts Chime in, Sharing Expectations for 2024 and Beyond

Elizabeth Parks, president and CMO at Parks Associates: Smart cameras and video doorbells are popular, showing an increase in adoption and high intentions for the next year…. Bundling these security d...

Hot Housing Innovations At CES Reimagine Smart Energy Use

The average U.S. household now has 17 connected devices and Parks Associates recognizes that more and more of in-home technology is going to energy management. Research group Parks Associates h...

How utilities can enhance efficiency through consumer rate programs

Too few customers are familiar with their energy-provider’s special rate programs, according to market research firm Parks Associates. With many service providers offering special rates as part of ene...

Does cord cutting REALLY save you money? It now costs $120 a month to subscribe to Netflix, Hulu and the other main streaming services - as platforms hike prices amid fierce competition

A 2022 study from market research firm Parks Associates found a quarter of American households subscribe to nine or more streaming services, while 50 percent are signed up to at least four.  From t...