Sweeping robots: New heights of competition

Sweeping robots: New heights of competition

Over the past few years, the domestic robotic vacuum market has sparked heated debates, with user experiences and feedback revealing a wide array of issues. From the “love-hate relationships” with pets to the actual cleaning efficacy, opinions on robotic vacuums have been polarized.

### Market Status and Challenges

Since the debut of the robotic vacuum in 2002, the market has seen a surge in China, but sales have started to wane in recent years. Here’s an overview of the current market situation:

**Sales Decline:**
Data shows that the peak sales period for robotic vacuums in China was between 2018 and 2020, but a downturn began after 2021. Although there was a sales increase from January to November 2024, it still hasn’t reached the heights of its glory days.

**Corporate Challenges:**
For instance, Remi Technology became known for its crowdfunding star product but eventually had to issue a notice of ceasing operations.

**Price and Profit:**
Companies have attempted to swap price for volume in sales, but profits have been increasingly thinning. The technology fails to support the price, and consumers are no longer easily swayed by tech concepts.

### Marketing and R&D

The domestic robotic vacuum industry has a high market concentration, yet leading brands haven’t established absolute advantages. Here are the key points:

– Leading players like Roborock and Ecovacs are facing tough times with slipping net profit margins.
– Marketing expenses take up a significant portion, surpassing R&D costs, which has led to squeezed profit margins.

### Technological Incremental Innovations

Market changes are closely tied to technological iterations. Here’s an overview of technological advancements:

– By 2020, mainstream products achieved fundamental technological progress from 0 to 1 in key functions.
– Starting from 2021, technological changes were mainly incremental, focusing on details such as obstacle avoidance and cleaning improvements.

### Seeking New Growth Points

Faced with challenges, companies are looking for new growth avenues:

– AI large model technology has a limited impact on robotic vacuums.
– Price reduction strategies and national subsidy policies have boosted sales.
– Going abroad and product diversification have become significant strategies.

Here are some conclusions:

**Market Penetration:**
Despite the vast space for market penetration, building differentiated advantages and brand recognition is by no means easy.

**Industry Competition:**
While the robotic vacuum industry has seen emerging leaders, no “king” has managed to secure a long-term dominant position, and the future remains unpredictable.

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Over the past few years, the domestic robotic vacuum market has sparked heated debates, with user experiences and feedback revealing a wide array of issues. From the “love-hate relationships” with pets to the actual cleaning efficacy, opinions on robotic vacuums have been polarized.

Market Status and Challenges

Since the debut of the robotic vacuum in 2002, the market has seen a surge in China, but sales have started to wane in recent years. Here’s an overview of the current market situation:

Sales Decline:

Data shows that the peak sales period for robotic vacuums in China was between 2018 and 2020, but a downturn began after 2021. Although there was a sales increase from January to November 2024, it still hasn’t reached the heights of its glory days.

Corporate Challenges:

For instance, Remi Technology became known for its crowdfunding star product but eventually had to issue a notice of ceasing operations.

Price and Profit:

Companies have attempted to swap price for volume in sales, but profits have been increasingly thinning. The technology fails to support the price, and consumers are no longer easily swayed by tech concepts.

Marketing and R&D

The domestic robotic vacuum industry has a high market concentration, yet leading brands haven’t established absolute advantages. Here are the key points:

  • Leading players like Roborock and Ecovacs are facing tough times with slipping net profit margins.
  • Marketing expenses take up a significant portion, surpassing R&D costs, which has led to squeezed profit margins.

Technological Incremental Innovations

Market changes are closely tied to technological iterations. Here’s an overview of technological advancements:

  • By 2020, mainstream products achieved fundamental technological progress from 0 to 1 in key functions.
  • Starting from 2021, technological changes were mainly incremental, focusing on details such as obstacle avoidance and cleaning improvements.

Seeking New Growth Points

Faced with challenges, companies are looking for new growth avenues:

  • AI large model technology has a limited impact on robotic vacuums.
  • Price reduction strategies and national subsidy policies have boosted sales.
  • Going abroad and product diversification have become significant strategies.

Conclusions

Despite the vast space for market penetration, building differentiated advantages and brand recognition is by no means easy. While the robotic vacuum industry has seen emerging leaders, no “king” has managed to secure a long-term dominant position, and the future remains unpredictable.

“`