The US$1.7-billion deal, signed in 2022, would have added the pill-shaped autonomous iRobot vacuum to the online shopping giant’s devices portfolio, which include Ring security cameras and Alexa-powered assistants. Amazon will pay iRobot a US$94-million termination fee. (The Logic)

Talking point: Colin Angle, iRobot’s CEO, stepped down as the company also announced a restructuring plan that will eliminate 350 positions, or nearly one-third of its workforce. “This outcome will deny consumers faster innovation and more competitive prices, which we’re confident would have made their lives easier and more enjoyable,” said Amazon general counsel David Zapolsky in a release. The move comes as the EU’s regulatory body was reportedly planning on blocking the deal, saying it could throttle competition. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission was also investigating the proposed takeover for similar reasons.