What happened
EFTM reports that DJI announced the ROMO 2 at IFA as a second-generation AI-powered robot vacuum. The product is reported to use cameras, AI-based object avoidance and path planning, LiDAR and a robotic arm to identify messes and clean around furniture. DJI also plans a local data mode intended to prevent the DJI Home app from syncing photos or videos with external servers.
EFTM reports that DJI announced ROMO 2 at IFA as the successor to the original ROMO vacuum robots announced earlier in 2026. According to the report, the new model uses AI-based object avoidance and path building to navigate homes and cross thresholds up to 8.5 centimetres. The article describes AI as central to detecting, analysing and selecting cleaning approaches for different spills and messes.
The reported hardware includes a pressure plate that lowers during vacuuming to create a semi-seal against the floor, 36,000 Pa of suction power and dual tangle-free side brushes. EFTM also reports that ROMO 2 includes a LiDAR-guided robotic arm with a mopping pad. The arm is described as extending 7.8 centimetres beyond the usual path and reaching beneath furniture as low as 4.5 centimetres. The report says LiDAR is intended to let the device move close to walls and furniture without contact.
EFTM reports that onboard cameras and a ground-level LED light help the system identify dust and debris, distinguish liquid spills from other debris, and differentiate glass from mirrors. The product is also reported to include a self-cleaning base station, 55W fast charging that fills the battery in two and a half hours, and a claimed 365 days of maintenance-free operation. Those performance and maintenance claims come from DJI as reported by EFTM and are not independently confirmed here.
The reported price is $2,899, although EFTM does not specify the currency in the supplied article. Preorders are scheduled through DJI’s online store and authorised retail partners from September 9 to September 30, with a reported $500 early-bird discount. The source does not establish broader retail availability, shipping dates or which markets will receive the product.
Why it matters
The reported launch shows AI moving beyond navigation into task-specific perception and physical action in a consumer appliance. If the described capabilities work reliably, users could receive more targeted cleaning of spills and debris, including in difficult spaces. The privacy controls are also relevant because the system uses cameras and microphones inside homes. However, EFTM’s report is not independently confirmed here, and it does not provide independent testing of cleaning performance, object recognition or privacy protections.
The ROMO 2 is notable because the reported AI functions are tied directly to physical decisions: recognizing the type of mess, planning a response and directing a vacuum and mopping arm. That could make an autonomous cleaner more useful in homes with mixed debris and hard-to-reach areas, but the source supplies no independent demonstrations, test results or error rates.
The product also illustrates a practical privacy trade-off. Cameras and microphones can support navigation and mess recognition, while the planned Local Data Mode is reported to disconnect the DJI Home app from the internet and prevent what DJI calls unintentional syncing of photos or videos with external servers. The report says users can disable the camera and microphone, but it does not explain data retention, encryption, offline feature limits or whether the mode is available at launch.
What to watch next
Watch for the September 9 preorder launch, the applicable currency and regional availability of the reported $2,899 price, and whether the $500 early-bird discount is offered consistently through DJI and authorized retailers. The planned Local Data Mode is also important: users should look for details about what functions remain available offline, how data is stored and whether disabling cameras or microphones limits cleaning features.
The immediate practical milestone is the reported preorder window from September 9 through September 30. Prospective buyers should verify the currency of the $2,899 price, the terms of the $500 discount, regional availability, warranty coverage and delivery timing when listings go live. EFTM’s report does not provide those details.
The Local Data Mode is expected later this year for ROMO 2 and the original ROMO, according to EFTM. Further documentation should clarify whether the mode disables cloud-dependent features, how firmware updates work offline and what happens to images, video, audio and maps. Independent reviews should also test the robot’s recognition of liquids, glass, mirrors and obstacles in real homes.