Despite these competencies,iRobot still had serious concerns.Althought the robotics industry was not highly competitive,iRobot needed more competition to help build up the total scale and visibility of the fledgling industry it had pioneered.Home care robots, its biggest revenue source,was a luxury supplemental good. Times of economic recession could prove to be a problem for the sales of iRobots consumer goods given that discretionary budgets are likely decreased.In addition,iRobot had over 70 patents,many of which will begin to expire in 2019.In a rapidly advancing industry, technology can also become obsolete quickly and render patents useless.Additionally,iRobot was highly dependent on several third-party suppliers to manufacture its consumer products.It also depends on the U.S. government for the sales of its military products.Any volatility in its supply chain or government fiscal policy has grave consequences for the company's future.