Colin Angle, co-founder of iRobot, explains the combination of supply chain friction and increasing Chinese competition that eroded Roomba's market share.
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Angle: FTC staff post blocked deals on doors as badges of honor
“In fact, I had to testify, I was deposed as part of this process, and I was walking, you know, between sessions, walking the facility, and
On the doors of the agents at the FTC, the employees, like, badges of honor on the doors were deals blocked.”
Disclosure
Colin Angle Favored Amazon Acquisition Because iRobot Scooba And Terra Failed
“And really that was what led me to saying, hey iRobot and Amazon might have some pretty interesting synergies, and because Scuba hadn't succeeded, because Terra hadn't succeeded, then when Amazon started to be interested in iRobot, it felt like a good idea.”
Assertion Supported
Angle: China now leads consumer robotic floor care instead of US
“We used to, past tense, lead the consumer robotic floor care industry.
We don't anymore.
China does.”
Insight
Angle: Standing Behind Broken Products Creates Higher Loyalty Than Flawless Operation
“If a company stands behind its product, you generate more customer loyalty than if that customer never had a problem With their product at all.”
Insight
Angle: Robotics is a problem-solving toolkit rather than humanoid machines
“This idea that robotics isn't a thing, it's a toolkit. Was early lesson that I was taught because when you see a robot to most people, they think humanoid, but given the journey I was on, robotics, was a box of parts that allowed you to make smart machines tha…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Angle: No navigation system was good enough for early Roomba positioning
“At the time there was no navigation system good enough to give you an actual position.”