Admit It: You’ve Always Wanted a Robot Vac Built Like a Drone

If you thought that it already sucked that you still can’t buy a new DJI drone in the U.S., get ready to learn about the company’s new robovac. The largest drone maker in the world now has its first smart home appliance in the form of the DJI Romo. The easiest way to describe it is as if a modern UAV removed its propellers and replaced them with wheels, fins, and mops but kept the obstacle detection technology. It’s a compelling idea that will inevitably have the U.S. government afraid that foreign actors will start spying on our messy, unwashed floors.

Back during IFA 2025, DJI took me into its back room to see a load of its upcoming tech. I went hands-on with the DJI Mini 5 Pro and DJI Osmo Nano. Then a company rep tore the sheet off the massive base station for a robovac. The first thing that came to mind looking at DJI’s Romo was, “Is this the Game Boy of Roombas?†Sure, I’ve been fully gamer pilled since I first held a controller, but the odd transparent plastic shell that DJI slapped onto its new product told me the company was offering a robovac that would appeal more to the tech-literate than many other automated suckers and mops.

DJI is known for its drones, though it has its feet in a plethora of product categories—from action cameras to microphones. The company’s first smart home tech product could make use of the company’s expertise in flying robotics—even though this device can’t fly (as much as we may wish it could).

DJI’s drones contain some truly impressive obstacle avoidance technology using multiple LiDAR sensors. These sensors combine with binocular fisheye vision sensors for its object detection. DJI claims its robot vacuum can spot objects as thin as 2mm, so it can maybe avoid swacking at any socks, dangling charging cables, or potentially even playing cards. The Romo may even be able to operate with better accuracy in low-light environments, thanks mostly to how LiDAR uses pulsing lasers to measure distances between itself and objects.

DJI says it developed novel algorithms for navigating a home. It’s supposed to recognize the areas of your home with carpets. The two side brooms are supposed to slow down when getting near your cat’s litter box. However, those cameras can also be used by owners to check on their homes. You have to use two-factor authentication to see those feeds. DJI also promises its video data is encrypted.

Meet DJI ROMO Series – Make a Clean Sweep
Introducing DJI ROMO Series, Flagship Robot Vacuum With Advanced Sensing

DJI ROMO Series will instantly elevate your home. It combines cutting-edge perception and electromechanical technology inspired by flagship drones. With advanced… pic.twitter.com/XcQaqV0T58

— DJI (@DJIGlobal) October 28, 2025

The Romo vacuum comes in three flavors: an S, A, and P version. The cheapest S tier starts at 1,300 euros (or $1,516) and goes up to 1,900 euros (around $2,216) at the P tier. You can expect most of the same features between each model, though the costliest P version includes a “floor deodorizer†solution the vacuum sprays in its wake and UV for disinfecting the drying bag. Either way, the unit will have 25,000Pa of suction power and contain a 164ml tank for mopping with its dual-spinning mop pads.

The Romo is currently only available in European markets. There’s no word when—or if—it’s ever coming to the U.S. Just like all DJI products, the U.S. government has effectively soft-banned any of its shipments to the States, and not just its drones. Sure, there are plenty of other high-end robovacs like last year’s Roborock Qrevo Curv or more recent devices like the Roborock Saros 10 and the Dreame X50 vac/mop combo with suction power just below DJI’s. Some of those vacuums, like the Saros 10, have additional features that let them clear small hurdles as well. But one thing is for sure: none of those have a clear plastic shell.