China Gave Robot Vacuums Legs - Roomba Couldn't Keep Up

The Dreame X50 Ultra uses retractable ProLeap supports to cross suitable door thresholds. Meanwhile, iRobot—the company behind Roomba—entered Chapter 11, and its longtime manufacturer Picea acquired it. How did the robot vacuum pioneer lose its independence? We follow Roomba from its 2002 launch through Amazon's canceled acquisition, falling revenue, and Picea's takeover. We also explain how Dreame's ProLeap and VersaLift systems work, what its 4.2 cm and 6 cm threshold claims actually mean, and where the new Roomba Max 875 Combo fits in. Picea and Dreame are separate companies. Chapters: 00:00 Dreame X50 Ultra and iRobot's crisis 00:52 How the original Roomba changed cleaning 02:13 Why door thresholds stop robot vacuums 03:13 How Dreame ProLeap crosses a threshold 04:46 VersaLift fits under low furniture 05:51 Roomba Max 705 Combo 06:19 Amazon's canceled iRobot deal 06:53 iRobot's financial trouble 08:00 iRobot enters Chapter 11 08:28 Picea: from manufacturer to owner 09:47 Could Roomba cross the same doorway? 10:19 The new Roomba Max 875 Combo 10:52 Why iRobot lost its independence Which obstacle still makes you pick up your robot vacuum: a doorway threshold, low furniture, or something else? Tell us in the comments.