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First look: DJI’s Romo robot vacuum – The Verge

In a move that few industry observers anticipated, DJI — the company best known for its consumer and commercial drones — has brought its first robot vacuum to the European market. The device, called the Romo P, is now available in Europe at a price of €1,899. The launch follows the product’s initial debut in China earlier in the summer, and marks DJI’s entry into the home cleaning robotics segment.

The Romo P is a combination robot vacuum and mop, and its most immediately striking feature is its transparent housing. Unlike the vast majority of robot vacuums on the market, which use opaque plastic shells, the Romo P allows users to see the internal components of both the robot itself and its docking station. This is a deliberate design choice, and one that is unusual in the category. The transparency is not merely cosmetic; it is a statement about the engineering inside, and it raises practical questions about long-term maintenance and aesthetics that buyers will need to consider.

The Romo P is one of three versions of the Romo line. The Romo S has a completely opaque case, while the Romo A features a transparent panel on top of the vacuum itself. The Romo P goes all in, with a fully transparent housing and a see-through docking station. The European launch, as reported, concerns the Romo P specifically.

Under the transparent shell, DJI has applied technology developed for its drones to the problem of navigating a home environment. The company’s expertise in obstacle detection and avoidance, honed over years of building autonomous flying machines, has been adapted for a ground-based platform. The result is a robot vacuum that is designed to steer clear of obstacles such as socks, cables, and other household clutter that typically trip up less sophisticated devices.

The Romo P also comes with a self-cleaning base station that includes several features not commonly found in competing products. The base station has a slot for a “floor deodorizer solution,” which is separate from the standard cleaning solution used for mopping. This allows users to add a pleasant scent to floors after vacuuming without committing to a full mopping cycle with cleaning solution. The base station also uses a high-pressure jet system to clean the mop pads, followed by hot air drying. This is intended to keep the mop pads hygienic and ready for the next use.

In terms of raw performance, the Romo P offers up to 25,000Pa of suction power. To put that in context, this is roughly twice the suction power of the recently announced Roomba Max 705, according to the source material. The robot is equipped with an anti-tangle double roller brush, designed to reduce the likelihood of hair and fibers wrapping around the brush and causing jams. It also has two sweeping brushes mounted on short robotic arms that can extend their reach, allowing the robot to clean closer to edges and corners. For mopping, the Romo P uses a pair of spinning mop pads. These pads can raise themselves when the robot transitions from hard floors to carpeting, preventing the carpet from getting wet.

The Romo P also demonstrates a degree of intelligence in how it handles debris. If the robot detects a spill of small particles, such as cat food, it can slow its travel speed and reduce its brush speed to avoid blowing the particles away. At the same time, it increases suction to pick up the debris more effectively. This is a level of adaptive behavior that is not standard across the robot vacuum market.

The European launch follows a period of speculation and leaks. Prior to the official announcement, there were months of questionable leaks that did not reveal many concrete details. DJI then shared a teaser video and image of its first robot vacuum, indicating that an announcement was imminent. The teaser showed a traditional circular robot vacuum design with a pair of extended brushes and what appeared to be a sensor array on the front. The teaser also showed a dock, though the transparent version shown in the teaser may have been a way for DJI to display the dock’s internals and functionality rather than a confirmation of a transparent retail model. At the time, it was unclear whether the Romo would be available in white or transparent versions, and whether DJI planned to release it in the US. The European availability of the Romo P at €1,899 is now confirmed.

It is worth noting that the source material also references a significant security vulnerability in the DJI Romo robot vacuum, though details are not provided in the source text. This is a factor that potential buyers and operators should be aware of, and it is advisable to seek further information from DJI or independent security researchers before making a purchase decision.

Why it matters for European robot service

The entry of DJI into the European robot vacuum market is significant for several reasons. First, DJI is a major technology company with deep expertise in sensors, navigation, and autonomous systems. Its drones are used across Europe for a wide range of applications, from aerial photography to industrial inspection. The company’s decision to apply its navigation technology to a home cleaning robot signals a belief that the consumer robotics market is ripe for a new entrant with a different engineering approach.

For the European robot service industry, the Romo P represents both an opportunity and a challenge. On the opportunity side, the device’s advanced navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities could set a new benchmark for what consumers expect from a robot vacuum. If the Romo P performs as advertised, it could push other manufacturers to improve their own navigation systems, leading to better products across the market. The transparent design, while unusual, could also appeal to consumers who are interested in the technology inside their appliances and who value a design that showcases engineering rather than hiding it.

On the challenge side, the Romo P’s price point of €1,899 places it at the premium end of the market. This is not a budget device, and it will be competing with established high-end models from brands like iRobot, Roborock, and Ecovacs. European buyers who are considering the Romo P will need to weigh its unique features — the transparent design, the deodorizer slot, the high-pressure mop pad cleaning — against the features offered by competitors at similar or lower price points.

The self-cleaning base station is another factor that will matter to European operators. The high-pressure jet system for cleaning mop pads, combined with hot air drying, is designed to reduce the manual maintenance that is often required with robot mops. This could be a significant convenience for users who want a hands-off cleaning experience. The slot for a floor deodorizer solution is a differentiator that may appeal to consumers who are sensitive to the smell of cleaning products or who simply want their homes to smell fresh after cleaning.

The Romo P’s ability to raise its mop pads when transitioning from hard floors to carpet is also relevant for European homes, which often have a mix of flooring types. This feature prevents carpets from getting wet and reduces the risk of damage. The adaptive debris handling — slowing down and increasing suction when small particles are detected — is another feature that could improve cleaning effectiveness in real-world conditions.

For the robot service industry, the Romo P raises questions about repairability and long-term maintenance. The transparent housing, while visually interesting, means that any dust, dirt, or wear inside the robot will be visible to the user. This could be a double-edged sword: on one hand, it may encourage users to keep the robot clean; on the other hand, it may make the robot look dirty sooner than an opaque model would. The source material notes that once the Romo P reaches consumers, it will be interesting to see how clean the interior of the bot and docking station look after a few months of use. This is a legitimate concern that European buyers should consider.

The security vulnerability mentioned in the source material is another point of concern. While details are not provided, any vulnerability in a connected home device is a serious issue. Robot vacuums are increasingly connected to home networks, and they often have cameras and microphones for navigation and mapping. A security flaw could potentially allow unauthorized access to the device or the network it is connected to. European buyers and operators should check for firmware updates and follow security best practices, such as using strong passwords and keeping the device’s software up to date.

What buyers and operators should know

For European buyers considering the Romo P, there are several key points to keep in mind. First, the price is €1,899. This is a significant investment, and it is important to consider whether the features justify the cost compared to other premium robot vacuums on the market. The transparent design is unique, but it may not be to everyone’s taste, and it has practical implications for maintenance and appearance over time.

The Romo P offers up to 25,000Pa of suction power, which is a high figure and should be sufficient for most home cleaning tasks. The anti-tangle double roller brush is designed to reduce maintenance, and the extendable sweeping brushes should help with edge cleaning. The spinning mop pads that can raise themselves are a useful feature for homes with mixed flooring.

The self-cleaning base station is a major convenience feature. The high-pressure jet system for cleaning mop pads and the hot air drying function should reduce the need for manual cleaning of the mop pads. The slot for a floor deodorizer solution is an interesting addition that allows users to freshen their floors without a full mopping cycle.

However, buyers should be aware of what is not disclosed in the source material. The article does not specify the battery life, the size of the dustbin, the capacity of the water tank, or the coverage area per charge. It also does not provide details on the navigation system beyond the general statement that it uses DJI’s drone technology for obstacle avoidance. There is no information on the robot’s dimensions, weight, or noise level. These are important factors for many buyers, and they should be researched further before making a purchase.

The source material also does not provide information on warranty, customer support, or availability of spare parts. For a premium device like the Romo P, these are important considerations. European buyers should check with DJI or authorized retailers for warranty terms and after-sales support. The security vulnerability mentioned in the source material is a concern, and buyers should seek information on whether it has been addressed and how to protect their device.

For operators — whether they are professional cleaning services, property managers, or tech enthusiasts managing multiple devices — the Romo P’s features are relevant, but the lack of disclosed information on certain specifications is a limitation. The robot’s adaptive debris handling, which slows down and increases suction when small particles are detected, could be useful in environments where spills are common. The ability to raise the mop pads on carpet is also a practical feature for mixed-floor spaces.

The transparent design, while visually distinctive, may not be suitable for all environments. In a commercial setting, a transparent robot vacuum might show wear and tear more quickly than an opaque model, and it may not project the same professional image. Operators should consider whether the aesthetic appeal of the Romo P aligns with their brand and operational needs.

The source material does not provide information on the Romo P’s connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or integration with smart home platforms. It also does not specify whether the robot has a camera, LiDAR, or other sensors for mapping and navigation. These are important details for operators who need to integrate the robot into a broader smart home or building management system.

The source material also does not disclose the robot’s cleaning modes, scheduling capabilities, or whether it can be controlled via a mobile app. For many buyers, app control and scheduling are essential features. Without this information, it is difficult to fully assess the Romo P’s suitability for specific use cases.

Finally, the source material notes that the Romo P is now available in Europe, but it does not specify which countries are included in the launch. European buyers should check availability in their specific market. The price of €1,899 is stated, but it is not clear whether this includes taxes or shipping. Buyers should confirm the total cost before purchasing.

In summary, the DJI Romo P is a notable entry into the European robot vacuum market. Its transparent design, drone-inspired navigation, and self-cleaning base station with a deodorizer slot and high-pressure jet system are distinctive features. The suction power of up to 25,000Pa is competitive, and the adaptive debris handling is a thoughtful touch. However, the lack of disclosed information on several key specifications, the security vulnerability mentioned in the source, and the premium price point are factors that European buyers and operators should carefully consider. As with any significant purchase, it is advisable to research the product further, read reviews from multiple sources, and verify the latest information from DJI before making a decision.

Sources

https://www.theverge.com/tech/807461/dji-romo-robot-vacuum-europe-launch-specs-price-first-look

Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).