Introduction

On the 29th of last month, LG Electronics launched the LG Hombot AI Objet Collection Roni (RONi), a premium robotic vacuum cleaner. The name itself is noteworthy. The Roni is the first product to carry the new "Hombot" branding, marking the retirement of LG's long-established "RoboKing" label. It is, in symbolic terms, the opening page of a new chapter.

Specifications

The Roni is available in two station configurations tailored to different living environments. The "Hidden Station" variant is designed to be installed beneath a kitchen sink within the skirting-board recess and features automatic water supply and drainage. The "Objet Station" variant uses a self-contained water tank and can be placed independently anywhere in the home. Model numbers are N95THO for the Objet Station, and N95TWU and N95THU for the Hidden Station. Both designs feature a front door on the station that opens automatically when cleaning begins and closes when idle, keeping the unit discreetly out of sight.

The most significant differentiator is a world first: 100°C steam functionality applied to both the robot unit itself and the docking station. During cleaning, 100°C steam is sprayed directly onto the mop pads to lift ingrained dirt. Once cleaning is complete, the station washes the mop pads again using 100°C steam and hot water. According to tests conducted by UL Solutions in March, this washing process eliminates 99.99% of four harmful bacteria strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli. After washing, warm-air drying reduces odour-causing substances by up to 97%. A proprietary technology called "Station Conditioning" then expels residual interior moisture through an upper exhaust fan, maintaining cleanliness between uses.

Cleaning performance has also been enhanced. The unit delivers 30W of suction power, while the mop pads rotate at 180rpm to scrub away stubborn floor stains. A side brush that extends up to 46mm reaches into corners and edges, and a dual-brush structure reduces hair tangling. An AI soiling-detection function identifies stained areas on the floor and focuses cleaning passes on those zones.

Strengths and Limitations

The Roni's principal strength lies in its thoroughness of hygiene management. Deploying 100°C steam in both the robot and the station elevates mop-pad cleaning from a simple rinse to genuine sterilisation. The flexibility to choose between the Objet Station and Hidden Station—and to switch between them if circumstances change—adds further appeal.

There are limitations, however. The Hidden Station's under-sink installation depends on the specific location of existing plumbing; in many older homes, the configuration of water supply and drainage pipes may make installation impractical. The expanded range of steam, sterilisation, and drying functions also means a greater number of maintenance tasks for the user to manage.

Verdict

The LG Hombot AI Roni lives up to its rebranding with tangible technological advancement. The claim of being the world's first two-way steam system is well-founded: the entire hygiene cycle—from cleaning to mop sterilisation and drying—has been designed with careful attention to detail. Compared with Samsung's Bespoke AI Steam, a rival reviewed previously, the Roni's key distinction is that steam is applied not only at the station but within the robot unit itself, taking the core steam-sterilisation concept one step further.

★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)

One-line verdict "For a first step under a new name, this is quite a confident stride."