The robotics pioneer who helped unleash the Roomba vacuum is now betting that you might one day replace your beloved dog or cat with a plush robot that follows you around your home and adapts to your daily habits.

Amazon has called off its purchase of iRobot, blaming "undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles" after the European Union signaled its objection to the deal.

Amazon on Friday announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the vacuum cleaner maker iRobot for approximately $1.7 billion.