Roomba Maker Seeks to Block Rival SharkNinja Vacuums From U.S.
- Trial over battling robot vacuum makers begins at trade agency
- Roomba maker says its innovations were copied, sold for less
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IRobot Corp. told a U.S. trade judge that it developed robotic vacuum features “too good to be true” only to have them copied and sold at a lower price by SharkNinja, which should be blocked from the U.S. market as punishment.
In opening arguments Wednesday at the International Trade Commission in Washington, the Roomba maker’s lawyer said JS Global Lifestyle Co.’s SharkNinja infringes four of its patents for enabling robot vacuums and hybrid vacuum-moppers to map rooms and floors, better navigate cleaning areas and last longer through improved energy management.