UK approves Amazon buy of robotic vacuum maker iRobot
Saturday, 17 June 2023
LONDON, June 16 (AFP): Britain's Competi-tion and Markets Authority regulator said Friday it has approved Amazon's $1.7-billion purchase of iRobot, the US maker of robotic vacuum Roomba.
The CMA "has now concluded that the deal would not lead to competition concerns in the UK", it announced in a statement.
The transaction, announced in August 2022, aims to expand Amazon's artificial intelligence and smart home ambitions.
The US retail titan welcomed Friday's news.
"We're pleased with the UK CMA's decision and are committed to supporting regulatory bodies in their work. We look forward to similar decisions from other regulators soon," said a spokesperson.
Massachusetts-based iRobot builds robots and "intelligent home" innovations, having introduced the Roomba self-operating vacuums a decade ago.
Amazon's deal to buy iRobot for $61 per share along with acquiring the company's debt was subject to approval of shareholders and regulators.
Amazon has meanwhile invested smart home and automation technologies with acquisitions such as Ring doorbells, Kiva warehouse robots and self-driving startup Zoox.