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

How to get $85 if you’re an Austin Energy customer

Smart thermostats are an increasingly popular purchase for home and business owners. According to data from Parks Associates, smart thermostats account for more than 40 percent of the nearly 10 millio...

40 Million Cars Connected To The Internet; 64% Want It

More than 40 million U.S. vehicles will be connected to the Internet by the end of this year, according to Parks Associates. And it looks like that’s just the start, with the number climbing steadily...

Dish Gives Sling a Makeover to Compete With Hulu and Netflix

The revamp aims to invigorate viewer interest in Sling TV amid a growing roster of online video services, including forthcoming offers from Apple Inc. and AT&T Inc. Dish doesn’t disclose its Sling sub...

Dish Remakes Sling TV App to Vie With Hulu, Netflix in On-Demand

The revamp aims to invigorate viewer interest in Sling TV amid a growing roster of online video services, including forthcoming offers from Apple and AT&T. Dish doesn't disclose its Sling subscriber c...