DJI’s High-Tech ROMO Vacuum Debuts in Europe — US Launch Stalled by Ban Threat?

DJI’s new ROMO vacuum promises to dodge socks — and possibly US bans. Why are American homes left out of the robotic cleaning revolution?

DJI officially launched its ROMO Series robot vacuum cleaners in Europe today, bringing millimeter-level obstacle sensing and drone-inspired navigation to home cleaning. The advanced cleaning robots are now available in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, following the product’s initial China launch in August. However, US availability remains uncertain, with DJI providing no timeline for an American release.

The October 28 launch marks DJI’s boldest move yet into consumer products beyond aerial drones, applying billions in sensor and navigation R&D to a robot vacuum that can detect obstacles as small as 2mm. European customers can purchase the ROMO starting at €1,299 ($1,378 USD), while American consumers wait to learn if and when the product might reach US shores.

Drone Technology Meets Home Cleaning

At the core of the ROMO Series sits the same sensing technology that helps DJI drones avoid trees and buildings mid-flight. According to DJI’s announcement, each ROMO vacuum features dual fisheye vision sensors and three wide-angle solid-state LiDARs working together to create 360-degree environmental awareness.

The result? The ROMO can spot and navigate around charging cables, playing cards, and other tiny obstacles that typically trap lesser robot vacuums. “ROMO features an advanced obstacle sensing system with high-performance dual fisheye vision sensors and wide-angle dual-transmitter solid-state LiDARs, leveraging technology derived from DJI’s flagship drones,” the company stated in its press release.

DJI’s machine learning algorithms, refined through years of drone mapping and autonomous flight, now power the ROMO’s path planning. The vacuum automatically adapts cleaning strategies to different obstacles — getting close to wires and table legs while steering clear of liquids and loose items that could cause problems.

Three Models Target Premium Robot Vacuum Market

The ROMO lineup includes three models, with the flagship ROMO P priced at €1,899 ($2,014 USD) featuring transparent panels on both the vacuum and base station that showcase DJI’s precision engineering. The see-through design isn’t just aesthetic — it signals DJI’s confidence in manufacturing quality and component organization.

The ROMO P includes extendable dual robotic arms that reach into corners and under furniture, a dual-mop system with automatic washing and drying, and 55W fast charging that fully recharges the battery in just 2.5 hours. Two separate cleaning solution tanks allow targeted antibacterial or degreasing treatments for specific rooms — useful for tackling kitchen grease versus bathroom cleaning.

Mid-range ROMO A and entry-level ROMO S models start at €1,299 ($1,378 USD), maintaining the same intelligent path planning and 25,000 Pa suction power while omitting some premium self-maintenance features. All three models deliver what DJI claims is up to 200 days of maintenance-free operation thanks to an intelligent self-cleaning base station.

The ROMO’s 164ml onboard water tank keeps mop pads consistently damp during large room cleaning, while the vacuum’s noise reduction system cuts sound output by 80% — addressing one of the most common complaints about robot vacuums disturbing households and pets.

Phased Rollout Leaves US Launch Date Unknown

The ROMO initially launched in China on August 6, 2025, priced at CNY 4,699 to 6,799 ($654 to $947 USD). Today’s European expansion represents DJI’s first international market beyond China, following a familiar pattern of regional rollouts the company has used for other products.

However, US availability remains uncertain, with no official launch date announced. DJI hasn’t publicly explained the absence of US launch plans, though the timing raises questions given the company’s current regulatory challenges stateside.

The company faces an automatic FCC ban if no federal agency completes a mandated security review by December 23, 2025 — less than two months away. Most DJI drone models are currently sold out at U.S. retailers, and the company skipped launching its Mavic 4 Pro in America. Whether these regulatory pressures factor into the ROMO’s uncertain US availability, or whether this simply reflects a staged international rollout strategy, remains unclear.

It’s worth noting that DJI’s regulatory issues specifically target “communications and video surveillance equipment” in the context of drones. The ROMO includes cameras and connectivity features common to all modern robot vacuums, but whether US restrictions would extend to home cleaning products is unknown.

Technical Specifications and Smart Features

The ROMO Series connects to the DJI Home app, offering preset smart cleaning modes and customizable cleaning plans with one-tap quick start. The system provides advance alerts when clean water tanks run low or dirty water tanks fill up.

Intelligence extends to surface recognition — the ROMO accurately identifies carpet size and location, updating maps in real time. It recognizes thresholds to clean along edges without repeatedly crossing them. For kitchens, the vacuum applies cleaning solution directly to mop pads for tough grease, then returns to the base station to wash those pads before cleaning other rooms to prevent cross-contamination.

DJI’s proprietary 9-blade metal impeller drives the 25,000 Pa suction system, while dual anti-tangle roller brushes handle pet hair without getting clogged. The vacuum’s extendable side arms physically reach into corners traditional robot vacuums miss, and mop pads automatically lift when the ROMO detects carpet to avoid wetting fibers.

The system stores precise room maps locally rather than in the cloud — a privacy-by-design approach that may be DJI’s response to ongoing data security concerns about Chinese technology products.

DroneXL’s Take

DJI’s ROMO launch follows a pattern we’ve been documenting for two years. We covered DJI’s Avinox e-bike motor dominating Eurobike 2025, their Power 2000 portable station for creators, and their five awards at NAB 2025 for camera equipment that had nothing to do with drones.

Over at EVXL, we’ve documented how DJI’s automotive division is supplying affordable ADAS systems to Chinese EV makers, applying the same sensor technology now powering the ROMO vacuum.

The uncertain US availability is what makes this launch particularly interesting. Is this simply a phased regional rollout where the US comes later? Possibly. DJI has launched products in Asia and Europe before bringing them stateside. But the timing certainly raises questions.

As we reported in our coverage of DJI’s December 23 ban deadline, the company faces automatic FCC restrictions in less than two months unless a federal agency completes a security review that no one seems to be conducting. With DJI drone inventory disappearing from U.S. shelves and the company having lost its Pentagon lawsuit challenging its “Chinese Military Company” designation, it’s reasonable to wonder whether DJI is becoming cautious about US product launches across all categories.

Here’s what we don’t know: whether US regulatory concerns are genuinely preventing the ROMO launch, whether DJI is self-censoring to avoid regulatory attention, or whether this is simply normal business strategy with the US coming in a future rollout phase. DJI spent over four years developing the ROMO, investing heavily in sensor miniaturization and machine learning algorithms. That R&D applies equally to drones, vacuums, e-bike motors, and automotive systems.

The real question isn’t just about this specific vacuum cleaner — it’s about what happens when political pressure in one product category (drones) creates uncertainty across an entire company’s portfolio. Does the FCC’s eventual drone review extend to DJI’s non-aviation products? The ROMO has cameras and wireless connectivity, just like every modern robot vacuum from iRobot to Roborock. If legislators truly believe DJI’s sensors pose “unacceptable risks,” where does that logic stop?

For now, we wait to see if DJI announces US availability or if American consumers will need to import from Europe. Either way, it’s clear that DJI’s diversification beyond drones is accelerating — whether that’s strategic opportunity or necessary survival strategy depends on what happens by December 23.

What do you think? Is the uncertain US availability just normal business strategy, or are regulatory concerns influencing DJI’s product launch decisions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.