Official launch on August 6
The rumor mill has been churning for a long time, but now it's official. DJI has announced the Romo via its Weibo channel. The unveiling is scheduled for August 6 at 20 p.m. Chinese time. Landing Page is already online, but only available in China. It remains unclear whether and when the Romo will be released internationally.
High-tech meets household
The Romo carries typical DJI DNA. The design appears rounded, minimalist, and futuristic, with two front cameras, two side brushes, and a look vaguely reminiscent of Roborock's Qrevo Curv.
DJI is apparently foregoing a traditional LiDAR turret. Instead, it's likely to rely on visual navigation and radar. Both technologies have long been standard on DJI drones and have helped DJI become the world's leading drone manufacturer.
According to rumors, up to six DoF sensors are to be installed around the device, with DJI apparently aiming for one of the best obstacle avoidance systems on the market.
Vacuum-mop combo with station
In addition to the futuristic look, there are initial hints of its functionality. A vacuum-mop combination is expected, which empties, cleans, and dries itself via an automatic base station. According to the leaked shop listing, three model variants are planned, including a standard version, a version with a water tank, and a flagship model with a water connection.
DJI has so far skillfully withheld further details. The teaser remains vague and leaves many questions unanswered regarding its range of features.
Price and assessment
The Romo is expected to be priced in the mid-range segment. The starting price in China is estimated at 5.000 RMB, or approximately 630 euros. A higher price is expected if the device is released internationally.
The speculated origin story of the Romo is also interesting. DJI and the robot vacuum manufacturer Narwal both originate from the tech incubator XBotPark, which is considered a hotbed of Chinese robotics innovations. After a poaching dispute between DJI and Narwal, the companies decided to build their own robotics team. The Romo is the direct response to this, and perhaps also a silent revenge.
The move from the drone market to household robotics is nevertheless a bold one. While DJI brings a wealth of technological expertise, that alone doesn't guarantee success. When tech companies begin developing devices outside their own industry, there's always the risk of getting bogged down and losing focus. Especially since the competition in this segment has long been established.
Source: Reddit / DJI
Heiko
Well, what about non-industry products at DJI? DJI has products as a car supplier, drones, power stations, microphones, cameras, RC cars, and e-bikes.