The original Roomba was the first robot vacuum in the US, and the second ever made, following Electrolux’s Trilobite the year prior. A basic bump-and-roll bot with bump and cliff sensors, the Roomba rolled randomly around your home, sucking up dirt, bumping from wall to wall, and generally trying not to fall down stairs.

I knew it was coming, but I didn't realize it would hurt this bad. After 35 years, iRobot, the creator of the Roomba -- which is basically the Klenex of robot vacuums -- has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Popular robot vacuum maker, iRobot, has filed for bankruptcy after 35 years, but what does this mean for customers?

You know how some brands have super confusing product naming strategies? iRobot’s line of Roomba robot vacuums will be much easier to understand from today onward. The company will be focusing on three main product classes, with easy to understand ...

Founded 35 years ago, the Massachusetts company pioneered the development of home vacuum robots and grew to become one of the most recognizable American consumer brands. Over the years, it lost ground to Chinese competitors with less-expensive products.