Robot Reviews

iRobot announced today that it has acquired Evolution Robotics, makers of the Evolution Mint robotic floor cleaner. The Evolution Mint floor cleaner isn't known as much for it's cleaning prowess as it is for it's advanced Northstar navigation and vSLAM room mapping system.

Both of these systems are far more advanced than the simple blind algorithms that are currently used in existing Roomba and Scooba products, so hopefully iRobot will be incorporating this new technology into their products in the near future.

Press Release:

Expands Position as Global Robotic Floor Care Market-Leader

BEDFORD, Mass., September 17, 2012 – iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Evolution Robotics, Inc. (ER), developer of Mint® and Mint® Plus automatic floor cleaning robots, based in Pasadena, California. The acquisition and the definitive agreement have been approved by the board of directors of iRobot and the board of directors and stockholders of ER. The acquisition, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012, expands iRobot’s technology leadership through a combination of intellectual property, engineering talent and new products that will broaden iRobot’s global portfolio of practical robotics solutions. iRobot will acquire ER for $74 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. iRobot will use its cash reserves to pay for the acquisition. 

ER’s technology originated in 2001 in a technology company incubator. In 2010, ER launched Mint®, an automatic floor cleaning robot designed exclusively for hard surface floors, which offers a different approach to cleaning than iRobot’s current products. Mint automatically dusts and damp mops hard surface floors using popular cleaning cloths, such as Swiffer® brand Dry and Wet Cloths and other similar products. In 2011, ER expanded its product line with the introduction of Mint® Plus, an enhanced version. Both products have been available for purchase on ER’s website and from select U.S. retailers. Mint®provides iRobot with a complementary dry/wet floor cleaning solution ideally suited for maintenance of hard surfaces. Positive customer experience has driven strong revenue growth since its first product introduction in 2010. Mint® provides lower market entry points for customers with hard floors. 

“Evolution Robotics’ products will expand our automated floor care offerings while its technology and intellectual property will bring visual navigation and simultaneous localization and mapping, among other technologies, which could be deployed in future iRobot products to deliver greater customer value,” said Colin Angle, iRobot chairman and CEO. “There are tremendous opportunities to leverage the strength of the iRobot brand and our sales and distribution network to expand Mint product sales around the world. Robotic floor cleaners are one of the fastest growing consumer products in the past few years and our retailers and distributors welcome opportunities to fuel that growth.”

“I am also pleased to announce that Paolo Pirjanian, CEO of Evolution Robotics, will be joining iRobot as Chief Technology Officer, continuing to be based in the Pasadena office. I have known Paolo for many years and his extensive experience as an industry-leading roboticist will greatly enhance our team,” Angle added.

“I am very excited about Evolution Robotics and iRobot joining together as a formidable force in robotic technology and look forward to my new role as iRobot’s CTO,” said Paolo Pirjanian, CEO of Evolution Robotics, Inc.

The acquisition is expected to contribute additional revenue of $4-6 million in 2012 and $22-24 million in 2013. On a GAAP basis, iRobot expects the acquisition to be dilutive in 2012 and 2013, subject to final purchase price accounting determinations. The acquisition is expected to be accretive by Q4 2013, excluding non-cash charges, one-time charges and integration costs. Please refer to the supplemental data sheet attached hereto for detailed information about the financial impact of the transaction.