Operating and reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	irbt_OperatingAndReportingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	irbt_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of recurring noncash expense charged against earnings in the period to allocate the cost of assets over their estimated remaining economic lives.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before accumulated amortization of capitalized costs for computer software, including but not limited to, acquired and internally developed computer software.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 985
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Texutal - Property Plant And Equipment) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized Computer Software, Gross	$ 8.6	$ 8.2	$ 8.2
Maximum [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Operating and Reporting Period	371 days
Minimum [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Operating and Reporting Period	364 days
Software and Software Development Costs [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Amortization Expense	$ 0.7	$ 0.8	$ 0.9