iRobot sues rivals over robot vacuum patents

New York

IROBOT, the maker of the popular Roomba robotic vacuum, brought a string of lawsuits on Monday accusing rivals including The Hoover Co and Black & Decker Corp of using its patented technology without permission.

Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot filed lawsuits in federal court in Boston against Hoover, Black & Decker, Bobsweep Inc and Bissell Homecare Inc. iRobot said they infringe on several of its patents covering the idea of an autonomous floor-cleaning robot.