iRobot shares surge 52.05% intraday on speculation of White House robotics industry support.

iRobot (IRBT) surged 52.05% intraday following speculation about potential White House support for the U.S. robotics industry, with traders citing anticipation of a Trump administration executive order to boost the sector. The stock, already highly shorted with 39% float coverage, saw renewed momentum amid broader robotics-related gains, including Serve Robotics (SERV) and Richtech Robotics rising over 5% and 9%, respectively. News outlets reported Commerce Secretary discussions with industry leaders and plans for a federal robotics task force, fueling investor optimism. While iRobot’s year-to-date decline exceeds 65%, short-term volatility intensified as market participants positioned for policy-driven growth opportunities in automation and advanced manufacturing.