A rough week for hardware companies

The article discusses the recent bankruptcies of three distinct hardware companies—Rad Power Bikes (e-bikes), Luminar (lidar sensors), and iRobot (Roombas)—highlighting common challenges they faced despite their different products. All three struggled with tariff pressures, failed major deals, and an inability to diversify beyond their initial successful products. Rad Power Bikes, once a pandemic-era leader in micromobility with revenues peaking above $123 million in 2023, saw a sharp decline to about $63 million amid bankruptcy. Luminar, a pioneer in affordable lidar sensors for autonomous vehicles with key partnerships like Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, also filed due to overreliance on a narrow market. iRobot, the most recognizable brand among the three, faced rapid technological advancements and a blocked acquisition by Amazon, which contributed to its financial distress. The conversation among the article’s commentators further explores these issues. Rebecca Bellan notes Rad Power’s recall challenges and questions the impact of tariffs on these