Amazon’s $1.7 billion purchase of Roomba manufacturer iRobot enters a new phase of scrutiny in Europe.a reporter with five years of experience covering consumer tech releases, EU tech policy, online platforms, and mechanical keyboards.European Union regulators have opened an official investigation into Amazon’s proposed $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot, the company behind the popular Roomba lineup of robot vacuum cleaners.
“We continue to work through the process with the European Commission and are focused on addressing its questions and any identified concerns at this stage,” Amazon spokesperson Alexandra Miller said in a statement. “iRobot, which faces intense competition from other vacuum cleaner suppliers, offers practical and inventive products. We believe Amazon can offer a company like iRobot the resources to accelerate innovation and invest in critical features while lowering prices for consumers.