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DJI's Romo 2 Robovac Adds Local-Only Mode After Privacy Scare

DJI's second-gen robot vacuum climbs better, runs quieter, and now lets users keep data off the cloud entirely.

DJI has unveiled the Romo 2 lineup, its next generation of robot vacuums, in two versions: the see-through P2 and the solid-colored A2. Both models are quieter than their predecessor and better at handling real-world floor clutter, with sensors that can detect obstacles as small as 2mm, including tricky transparent surfaces like glass and mirrors.

The bigger story, though, is privacy. The original Romo drew criticism for security flaws that raised concerns about data handling. DJI's fix is a new local-only mode that keeps mapping and navigation data on the device instead of routing it through the cloud, giving privacy-conscious buyers an option to keep their home layout data off DJI's servers.

DJI also touts vague new 'human-like reasoning and concept transfer' capabilities, suggesting the bots can generalize navigation skills across different environments, though details remain thin ahead of a fuller launch.

Why it matters: Smart home devices increasingly map the interior of your house, and that data has real value to bad actors and even the manufacturers themselves. A legitimate local-only mode is a meaningful trust signal, but it only matters if DJI makes it the default rather than a buried settings toggle.

Sources: The Verge