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

August Adds Wireless HD Video Doorbell to Smart Home Line

The wireless chime included with View also separates the doorbell from the pack. "A chime is usually an add-on extra, something you'd have to pay extra for," said Brad Russell, an analyst at Dallas...

AR in Harry Potter Game Is Next Best Thing to Real Magic

"Since Pokémon Go first launched in 2016, we've seen a number of other AR games launch as well," said Kristen Hanich, senior analyst at Parks Associates. However, none have risen to the same level...

Three Reasons Why Verizon Would Be A Good Suitor For Yahoo

Yahoo still commands a huge audience. Nearly 1 billion people visit a Yahoo website every month. While content is a risky business, analysts believe it's a way to keep customers engaged. "Verizo...

Roku IPO: Shares jump 68% as investors bet the firm can fend off Amazon, Apple and Google

Analysts say Roku has shown great upside by diversifying its revenue away from chiefly hardware to partnerships and advertising over its platform. “Over the past two-and-a-half years, Roku has expa...