LG Electronics launches world's first robot vacuum with 100°C steam in both body and station

LG Electronics is stepping up its push into the premium robot vacuum market with the launch of the "LG Hombot AI Objet Collection RONi," the world's first robot vacuum to apply 100°C steam to both the main unit and the docking station.

The company announced Monday it will offer the RONi in two models tailored to customers' residential environments and interior preferences: the auto water supply/drain "Hidden Station" and the water-tank-based "Objet Station."

The Hidden Station features a slim design just 15 centimeters tall, engineered to fit into the space beneath a kitchen sink cabinet without requiring any cabinetry modifications, allowing the robot to be tucked out of sight for a minimalist look. The Objet Station takes the form of a bedside table, designed to blend naturally into living rooms, bedrooms and other spaces.

Both models enter and exit through an auto-opening door during cleaning, which closes when the robot is docked so the unit stays out of view. LG Electronics said the design earned the top product award at the 2025 Ergonomic Design Awards.

The RONi's defining feature is its world-first application of 100°C steam to both the robot body and the station. During cleaning, the mop pad receives a blast of 100°C steam to lift stubborn floor grime. After cleaning, the station uses 100°C steam and hot-water washing to sanitize the mop pad, eliminating 99.99 percent of four harmful bacteria — Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

A hot-air drying function reduces odor-causing substances by up to 97 percent. LG Electronics also incorporated its patented "Station Conditioning" technology, which uses a top exhaust fan to expel internal moisture, further boosting hygiene performance. The unit delivers 30W of suction power and a mop pad that rotates 180 times per minute for stronger cleaning results.

Usability improvements are also notable. A side brush extends up to approximately 46 millimeters to sweep corner dust toward the central intake, eliminating blind spots, while a dual brush at the intake gathers hair toward the center to prevent tangles.

AI capabilities have been upgraded as well. Drawing on LG Electronics' AI object-recognition technology and eight sensors, the RONi identifies more than 120 types of objects — including power cords, potted plants and pet waste — and navigates around them. It also distinguishes between rooms such as the living room, kitchen and bedroom, automatically adjusting suction power and movement patterns to suit each environment. In the kitchen, where food debris falls frequently, it sets a denser cleaning path and increases suction for more thorough coverage.

Security features are built in as well. LG Electronics applied its proprietary "LG Shield" security system to encrypt collected data and store encryption keys separately. The product has also received Privacy by Design certification from the Personal Information Protection Commission.

The RONi goes on sale July 2 through LG Electronics' Best Shop outlets, LGE.com, Coupang Inc. and other online and offline channels on a rolling basis. Both the Hidden Station and Objet Station are priced at 2.19 million won ($1,420).

LG Electronics will also offer a robot vacuum care service through its home appliance subscription program. Subscribers receive free after-sales service and regular visits from care specialists who perform high-temperature steam cleaning and other hygiene maintenance. Key consumables such as mop pads and batteries are replaced on schedule, keeping the product in optimal condition without the hassle of self-management.

"By applying 100°C steam to both the main unit and the station for the first time in the world, we will maximize hygiene management while delivering a completely different user experience through clean design that elevates the quality of residential spaces," said Son Chang-woo, head of LG Electronics' Living Solution Business Division.