Long known for its innovation in home robotics, iRobot is marketing its new line as “breakthrough new products.” But the only notable innovation I’ve seen so far is an onboard dust compacting bin. The rest is largely a reheat of every midrange robot vacuum on the market today.

The company is reporting major financial problems and an uncertain future. How did things get this bad for the former robot vacuum leader? And will your Roombas continue to function?

Robot, the creator of the Roomba and the company that popularized robot vacuums in the first place, told investors on Wednesday that it has "substantial doubt about [its] ability to continue." Beyond declining sales — the company reported that revenue decreased 47 percent in the US over the prior year in its fourth quarter earnings — iRobot is also struggling to pay off its debts.