Roomba vacuum cleaner firm files for bankruptcy

US-based iRobot, maker of the Roomba smart vacuum cleaner, has filed for bankruptcy protection due to challenges like competition from Chinese rivals and US import duties on goods from Vietnam. The company, originally focused on defense and space technology before launching the Roomba in 2002, faced cost increases and had to cut prices. Under a Chapter 11 process, Picea Robotics, a key manufacturer, will take ownership of iRobot. Trump's tariffs impacted iRobot's costs, leading to the bankruptcy filing despite the company's prior market success.