Chinese home appliance maker Dreame Technology is stepping up its push into Korea's small appliance market, expanding its lineup beyond robot vacuums into personal care, kitchen, and living products. To strengthen the protection of Korean consumers' personal information, it will transfer its data servers to Korea and speed up localization efforts by boosting after-sales service (AS) capabilities.
On the 21st, Dreame held a brand event, "Dreame in Seoul," on Some Sevit in Hangang, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and unveiled its Korea market localization strategy and its flagship robot vacuum, "Aqua Steam."
Kim Myunghwan, Dreame Korea head of marketing, said, "We will not simply bring in global technology as-is but will develop products and services to fit the lives and expectations of Korean consumers," adding, "Building a long-term foundation in Korea is the goal of localization."
Dreame cited personal information protection as a key task in localizing for the Korean market. Because robot vacuums use cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) sensors to map home layouts and obstacles, demand for consumer privacy and security is rising.
To strengthen data protection for Korean consumers, Dreame transferred its data servers to Korea. Kim said, "As products become more intelligent, a high level of protection is needed for various data such as images, videos, and account information," adding, "Privacy and security are core values that Dreame considers important."
It will also expand AS capabilities and consumer touchpoints. Kim said, "Korea is not simply a place to sell products but an important base to build long-term relationships with domestic consumers," adding, "We will strengthen AS service capabilities and accessibility to create an environment where consumers can confidently choose products and use them for a long time."
Dreame will also broaden its lineup, built around robot vacuums, to cover small appliances overall. It plans to apply existing technologies—high-speed digital motors, Robotics, sensing, and algorithms—not only to cordless and wet mops, but also to personal care such as hair dryers and straighteners; kitchen appliances such as air fryers and blenders; and living products such as air purifiers and humidifiers. It will also introduce healthcare products such as massagers and pet care products.
Moon Deokgeun, Dreame Korea head of sales, said, "Dreame is applying core technologies such as motors, Robotics, sensing, and algorithms to various areas of daily life, including robot vacuums, air care, kitchen appliances, and personal care," adding, "We are expanding into a smart home brand that spans across everyday life."
The Aqua Steam unveiled that day is Dreame's flagship product for targeting the Korean market. It sprays 180°C steam directly onto the floor to loosen dirt and then wipes it with a hot-water roller mop. It combines steam spraying and mopping into a single process.
The cylindrical roller mop extends up to 8 cm beyond the main body to clean walls, corners, and gaps in furniture. Using AI, it recognizes pet hair, fine dust, liquid contamination, and obstacles, and can climb double thresholds up to 10 cm high.
Maximum suction power is 40,000 Pa. Two brushes with different characteristics are combined to suck up fine dust along with relatively large debris. A structure is also applied to reduce long hair or pet hair from getting tangled in the brush.
When cleaning is finished, the robot vacuum returns to the station, automatically empties dust, washes the mop with 100°C hot water, and dries it with hot air. In the direct plumbing model, the processes of filling water and draining wastewater are also automated.
Moon said, "Aqua Steam is a product developed to suit Korea's residential environment," adding, "With AI technology, it recognizes pet hair, fine dust, liquid contamination, and obstacles, and the extended roller allows cleaning all the way to the corners."
Dreame plans to expand the robot vacuum business base it has established in global markets into small appliances in Korea as well. According to the company, overseas sales accounted for about 80% of total sales last year. Sales in Korea, Japan, and Australia rose 66% from the previous year.
Since launching its first robot vacuum in 2020, cumulative global shipments exceeded 11 million units through April this year. Dreame said it currently operates in more than 120 countries and regions worldwide, and more than 42 million households use Dreame products.
Maggie Dai, Dreame head of Korea, Japan, and Australia, said, "Dreame has expanded its business scope from robot vacuums to personal care appliances, kitchen appliances, and a broader smart living ecosystem," adding, "In Korea, we will also listen more closely to the voices of consumers as we grow together."