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

Netflix Tops OTT Services, Amazon Prime and Hulu Follow

Amazon Prime and Hulu follow, based on an estimated number of subs from Parks Associates. HBO Now and Starz round out the top 5. MLB.TV took sixth followed by Showtime and CBS All Access. Parks Associ...

Planning for the Smart Home Explosion

When it comes to smart home technology, it’s no longer a question whether customers will get on board. It’s just a matter of time. Over 50% of broadband households intend to purchase a smart home devi...

Blue Cash Preferred Card Adds Streaming and Transit to Rewards

The card's 3% rewards rate on transit-related spending is matched by some other cards, including the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card. But its 6% bonus rate on select U.S. streaming services l...

What Shifting Data Use Means for Pay-TV and Video Services

As changes in the pay-TV industry continue to disrupt traditional providers, organizations will begin to incrementally establish a new data-centric culture. In large, established organizations, cultur...