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

Verizon bullish on continued Fios strength, FWA prospects

His comments appear to reflect a broader trend in the U.S. broadband market. A new report released by analyst company Parks Associates on Wednesday showed that the percentage of households with standa...

EH Quick Bits

A fast, reliable broadband connection is crucial to the well-being of a smart home. Homeowners recognize the value of speed—so much so that they’re willing to pay more for it. According to Dallas-base...

The Technological Evolution Of US Healthcare

Parks Associates believes that new health reforms from the GOP would incorporate many elements of Obamacare, but the political mess could delay implementation of new care models and disrupt the pace o...

Security Practices For Smart Homes

As devices in the home connect to the Internet, they make our homes vulnerable to hackers. With Parks Associates predicting more than 50 million connected homes by 2020, it’s time for developers to ma...