Providing Market Intelligence for 40 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

Video Protection Requirements Are Evolving as Streaming Services Reach Mainstream Audiences

In the early streaming era, distributors often accepted lighter security requirements from emerging platforms hungry for content. That leverage has reversed. Major studios now mandate specific protect...

New Homes Save Homeowners Money, But Builders Face Rising Defect Claims

According to new research from Parks Associates, the connected home market is moving beyond gadget obsession and into something more practical. Consumers increasingly want smart systems that deliver e...

Best 4K Streaming Device: What Consumer Reports Really Scores

Streaming devices now reach roughly 68% of U.S. internet-connected homes, according to Parks Associates data cited by Consumer Reports. At that penetration, this is a mature market. Most buyers aren't...

The Smart Money: FCC Router Ban Leaves 109 Million Homes at Risk

According to Parks Associates, ISP-issued routers account for approximately 70% of home internet households in the U.S., with the remaining 30% represented by retail brands including NETGEAR, Eero...