Colin Angle, co-founder of iRobot, has publicly criticized the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), stating its opposition to the proposed acquisition by Amazon was "wrong-minded" and ultimately harmful. The $1.4 billion deal, which was terminated in January 2024 due to significant regulatory pressure in both the U.S. and Europe, was seen as a critical lifeline for the struggling robotics company.
The collapse of the Amazon acquisition preceded a severe downturn for iRobot. The company, facing intense competition and financial distress, subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2025. As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, iRobot is being acquired by its primary Chinese manufacturer, Picea Robotics, a move that Angle and others have described as a tragic outcome for American innovation.