iRobot updates the Roomba’s “brain,” betting its OS can be a differentiator in the crowded smart-home space

Sounds like a sci-fi thriller... actually a vacuum company. iRobot is the publicly traded consumer robot biz famous for Roomba (aka: the popular self-driving vacuum). Its sales soared for a while during the pandemic as homebound and hygiene-conscious adults ordered smart vacuums to clean up after their kids. But iRobot's US revenue growth has been slowing. Now:

• New brain: iRobot just revamped its robo-vacuum operating system to lay the foundation for a more sophisticated understanding of your home life. iRobot Genius, its AI platform for smart vacuums and mops, is now iRobot OS.
• Features include the ability to identify and dodge phone chargers, stray T-shirts, and dog poop. With computer vision iRobot’s newest vac can also understand specific commands like "clean under kitchen table." Also: preferences like extra sweeps during pet-shedding season and fewer sweeps for the guest room.

Competing for Fluffy's approval... Roomba isn't the only one: last year Amazon rolled out a $1K Alexa-powered robot named Astro (aka: a 10-inch tablet on wheels). Smart-device adoption has surged thanks to speakers from Amazon and Google, along with thermostats, security cams, and light dimmers. iRobot's vacuums work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands — but it may not be enough to win in the increasingly crowded market.