DJI has introduced a second-generation version of its Romo robot vacuum, aiming to fix the security reputation of the original while adding more useful cleaning hardware. The Romo 2 series includes two models: the transparent P2 and the opaque A2. Both share the same underlying platform, with new navigation hardware, quieter motors, stronger suction, and a local-only data mode that the company says will reassure privacy-conscious users. The announcement was made at IFA 2026, the big European tech trade show where DJI also showed a new Osmo 360 II action camera.

The original Romo model was technically capable, but vulnerabilities discovered after launch attracted serious criticism. Those flaws could in theory allow outsiders to view home floor plans, access cameras and microphones, and take control of devices remotely. DJI patched the issues, but the perception of risk remained. With the Romo 2, the company is attempting to put that saga behind it.

Key facts about the Romo 2 series

• Two models: Romo P2, which is transparent, and Romo A2, which is opaque.
• Climbing legs allow the robot to move over single steps up to 4cm high, or two smaller steps totaling roughly double that height.
• Obstacle avoidance works with objects as small as 2mm, including transparent obstacles such as mirrors and glass.
• Suction reaches 36,000Pa on carpet.
• Noise is reduced by 85 percent compared with the first Romo.
• The P2 costs €1,299, while the A2 costs €1,199.
• Local Data Mode is scheduled for Q4 and will also come to the original Romo.
• A US launch is considered unlikely because of federal restrictions and a new FCC ban on foreign-made robot vacuums.

Better navigation and deeper cleaning

The Romo 2’s central hardware upgrade is its navigation system. DJI says the new models can identify cables and other objects as small as 2mm, which is useful for households with loose charging cords, headphone wires, or thin rugs. The system can also recognize transparent objects such as mirrors and glass. Many robot vacuums struggle with clear or reflective surfaces because their sensors rely on light reflections or simple 3D mapping. By adding improved sensor fusion, the Romo 2 should avoid bumping into glass table legs, patio doors, or full-length mirrors.

A more distinctive addition is the pair of legs on the underside. These allow the vacuum to climb over single steps up to 4cm tall, or two steps whose combined height is roughly double that. This is not enough for a full staircase, but it should let the robot move between rooms with raised thresholds, over low platform beds, or across small divider strips. For homes with split-level floors, this feature can prevent the robot from becoming trapped in one room.

The climbing mechanism is paired with longer brush and mop arms. DJI says these extended arms can reach farther under sideboards, shelves, and furniture. That should help with the dust and debris that collects just out of range of most circular vacuums. The mop arm is intended for hard floors, while the brush can sweep along edges more effectively. The combination suggests that Romo 2 is designed as a full floor-care system rather than just a vacuum.

For cleaning power, the Romo 2 offers up to 36,000Pa of suction when used on carpet. High suction numbers can be misleading because real-world performance depends on airflow, brush design, and seal quality. Still, 36,000Pa is a very high figure in the current market and indicates strong pickup capability for pet hair and embedded dust. On hard floors, the vacuum can reduce suction to avoid scattering debris, and the mop system handles sticky residue and fine dust.

DJI also claims a major reduction in noise. The Romo 2 is said to be 85 percent quieter than the original Romo. If that claim holds up in testing, it would make the vacuum more suitable for use while people are working, watching television, or sleeping. Quieter operation often comes from improved motor insulation and softer airflow paths rather than simply lowering power. The company says cleaning power does not drop as a result, though independent testing would be needed to confirm that.

The company is also promoting what it calls human-like reasoning and concept transfer. In practical terms, the robot should learn from obstacles it has encountered in previous cleaning sessions and adapt to new objects it has never seen. For example, a vacuum that has learned to avoid a particular chair leg may apply that understanding to similar shapes in another room. This is a common marketing claim among robot vacuum makers, but the combination of obstacle recognition and onboard processing has improved significantly across the industry. For Romo 2, the goal is fewer stuck situations and less need for users to set up virtual barriers.

Privacy after a security scandal

The most important change is not under the robot’s chassis; it is in the software. The Romo 2 introduces a Local Data Mode, which DJI calls a new industry standard for home robotics. When enabled, the DJI Home app stops communicating with the internet. Photos and video feeds are not synced to the cloud, and the robot can continue cleaning without sending mapping data to external servers. Users can also disable the camera and microphone entirely from the vacuum, and can delete any data stored on the device.

This is a significant step because the original Romo’s problems were not theoretical. Security researchers found vulnerabilities that could allow an attacker to access thousands of connected vacuums. Those vulnerabilities could expose home floor plans, camera feeds, and microphone audio, and in some cases allow remote control of the device. The situation was damaging not only because of the privacy risk but also because a robot vacuum is an always-on, moving device inside the most private parts of a home. A compromised vacuum can see a residence from floor level, including security codes typed into door locks, documents left on tables, or children and pets moving through rooms.

DJI responded with patches, but the episode eroded trust. Local Data Mode is designed to address that by giving users a way to keep the vacuum functional without relying on cloud connectivity. It is scheduled to arrive on Romo 2 models in the fourth quarter of this year. The company also says it plans to bring the feature to the first generation of Romo vacuums, which suggests that DJI has not abandoned customers who bought the original device.

The move reflects broader concerns about smart home cameras and microphones. Many people now expect to be able to block data collection at the hardware level, not just through terms of service. Local Data Mode may not satisfy users who want a fully open-source robot or complete offline control, but it is a more practical option than disconnecting the device from the network entirely. Because the mode severs the connection between the app and the cloud, it should reduce the risk of remote attacks, assuming the robot’s companion app and firmware have no other hidden internet pathways.

It is fair to note that Local Data Mode still requires using the DJI Home app for setup and control. The robot is not completely independent of the company’s software. The phrase ‘local’ refers to where the data is processed and stored, not to the absence of all web-connected features. Users who want to use voice assistants or check the vacuum while away from home may need to switch back to the standard mode. Still, for privacy-sensitive households, having a physical option to disable the camera and microphone is a meaningful improvement.

Pricing and availability

European pricing has been confirmed for both Romo 2 models. The Romo P2 costs €1,299, which is roughly $1,500. The opaque A2 is €100 cheaper at €1,199. Both prices sit at the premium end of the robot vacuum market, competing with high-end models from established home appliance brands. The original Romo also launched at a premium price, and the company appears to be positioning Romo 2 as a flagship product rather than a mass-market device.

A US release looks unlikely. Federal restrictions have prevented DJI from launching many of its recent products in the United States, and the FCC has approved a ban on foreign-made robot vacuums. That ban appears to include DJI’s products, which would make it difficult for the company to sell Romo 2 in the US even if other trade restrictions were resolved. As a result, the Romo 2

Source: The Verge News