A couple of weeks ago, Channel News flagged that DJI, best known for drones and video cameras, was preparing to launch its first vacuum cleaner. We reported that DJI would leverage its core strengths in visual navigation, obstacle avoidance and intelligent path planning to enter the smart home market with a robot vacuum called ‘Romo’.

So it has come to pass, with the Chinese company unveiling its Romo range on August 6. There’s an entry-level model (the white Romo S), a mid-market model (the semi-transparent Romo A) and a premium model (the fully transparent Romo P).

All models include:

  • DJI’s custom binocular fisheye vision system
  • AI path planning
  • Flexible robotic arms for edge cleaning
  • Suction up to 25,000Pa
  • A 164ml onboard water tank for wet mopping
  • A 260ml dustbin
  • Mop pads that auto-lift on carpet
  • Anti-tangle brush design

All models support four cleaning modes: vacuum-and-mop, vacuum-only, mop-only, and vacuum-then-mop. They take 2.5 hours to charge and will then clean for up to three hours. Battery capacity stands at 5,000mAh.

The base station supports self-cleaning and includes a 4L clean water tank, a 3.2L dirty water tank, and a 2.4L dust bag, as well as Bluetooth 5.1 and dual-band Wi-Fi. If you download the DJI Home App, you can take advantage of smart features, such as remote video monitoring and intelligent carpet detection.

The Roomba, which launched in 2002, now faces growing competition

While most robot vacuums look similarly utilitarian, DJI’s Romo models feature a striking semi-transparent outer shell on the A and P models, revealing some internal components. Docking stations are available in minimalist white or transparent finishes, enhancing the device’s sci-fi aesthetic.

The Romo line is already on sale in China. A global launch is expected later this year, though US market entry could be delayed due to ongoing regulatory concerns or geopolitical frictions.

Whatever happens with the US market, it appears industry incumbents – not least the Amazon-owned iRobot, which pioneered the category with the Roomba – are now facing a serious threat.

As we observed in late July, “With Romo, DJI is signalling more than just a product launch – it’s a calculated step into the smart home arena, and possibly the start of a broader push beyond aerial and handheld imaging.”