The iRobot takeover is complete – but it looks like the Roomba brand is clinging on to its US roots

• iRobot is now fully owned by Chinese manufacturing company Picea, following Chapter 11 bankruptcy process
• A new 'iRobot Safe' subsidiary will be responsible for protecting US consumer data
• Engineering, product development, marketing, etc., will be 'anchored' in the US

In December last year, we learned that iRobot – the parent brand behind Roomba – had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and was set to be saved from oblivion by Chinese manufacturing company Picea Robotics. Now, that takeover is officially complete: iRobot is now a privately held company, and completely owned by Picea. However, based on the press announcement, it looks like iRobot is clinging to its US roots as much as possible.

The most notable new development is that iRobot has announced a series of safeguards designed to protect US and other global consumer data, including European data. This includes creating a subsidiary – 'iRobot Safe' – that's entirely focused ...