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

Hacker Turns Up Nest Thermostat, Plays Vulgar Music Through Family’s Camera

Smart home products provide us with numerous benefits to make our lives more convenient. However, that convenience can come with a price. It’s no secret that in spite of the benefits of smart home...

Powerful Women in Consumer Technology 2019: Elizabeth Parks

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your career? I love working with people long term in an environment where hard work breeds success, customer service stands out, and where I can feel t...

Home Automation Deep Dive: New Findings on Pricing, DIY, Market Challenges & More

About half of nearly 200 surveyed residential security dealer respondents anticipate revenue growth of at least 10% in 2019 as compared to the prior year. That is according to Security Sales & Integra...

DIY causing home security disruption

Research from Parks Associates shows that over the past six years, self-installed home security systems are gaining momentum, slowly, but traction no less, over professionally installed systems. Recen...