It was founded in 1990 by three members of MIT's Artificial Intelligence Lab, who designed robots for space exploration and military defense.

[3] A planned takeover deal by Amazon.com for US$1.7 billion, announced in August 2022, collapsed in January 2024 amid antitrust scrutiny by the European Commission.

[4] iRobot was founded in 1990 by Rodney Brooks, Colin Angle, and Helen Greiner after working in MIT's Artificial Intelligence Lab.

[7] On September 17, 2012, iRobot announced that it had acquired Evolution Robotics, manufacturer of automated floor mopper Mint.

[10] In February 2016, iRobot announced that it would sell its military robotics business to Arlington Capital Partners, in order to focus more on the consumer market.

[11] In November 2021, iRobot announced that it had acquired Aeris Cleantec AG, a Swiss air purifier manufacturer.

[14] In September 2022, the FTC requested more data from both companies, amid concerns about Amazon's market power and the privacy implications of it gaining information about consumer floorplans.

[16] The European Commission launched a formal investigation into the proposed purchase in July 2023, citing that it would "allow Amazon to restrict competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners ('RVCs') and to strengthen its position as online marketplace provider.

"[17] In July 2023, Amazon reduced the offer price to $1.42 billion after iRobot raised $200 million in new debt to fund its daily operations.

[18] In January 2024, Amazon and iRobot announced they would end their plans to merge in the face of opposition from EU antitrust regulators.

The 380t model comes with a Channel 4 NorthStar Navigation Cube, which is set on a high surface and directs the robot around the area it cleans.

[27] In 2019, iRobot received FCC approval to move forward with their plans to commercialize a robotic lawn mower capable of using wireless localization technology, which they announced would be branded as "Terra".

It uses smart beacon stakes to localize itself in the yard, and is taught a boundary by the user (where the robot should avoid going, such as a garden).

Early models required either a special non-bleach cleaning solution or white vinegar to wash hard floors.

In April 2016, iRobot sold off its Defense & Security unit, with a new company being formed called Endeavor Robotics.

[43] FirstLook is a small reconnaissance robot weighing 5.2 lb (2.4 kg) with a top speed of 3.8 mph (6.1 km/h) and line-of-sight control range of 200 m (219 yd).

It has visible and thermal cameras and infrared sensors to gather and transmit images of buildings, caves, or other locations.

This band is for use for the lawn mowing robot without needing to use an electronic fence as a boundary marker, instead by using radio beacons.