Chinese Vacuum Brand Dreame Unveils 1,973-HP Hyper-Sedan at UC Berkeley with AI Partnerships

Dreame, a Chinese consumer electronics brand famous for its vacuums and pool cleaners, has taken a bold step into the automotive industry with its Nebula Next 01, a four-door electric hyper-sedan boasting 1,973 horsepower (1,471 kW / 2,000 PS) and a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time of 1.8 seconds.

The company recently made waves by showcasing the concept at the University of California, Berkeley, where it engaged with leading researchers in autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and intelligent transportation systems. The meeting focused on autonomous technology and core AI systems, suggesting a potential partnership to accelerate the development of AI-defined vehicles.

During the event, Dreame engineers met with Berkeley experts specializing in autonomous control systems, intelligent transportation, and AI. The discussions centered on translating advanced research into real-world vehicle systems, with a strong emphasis on safety, control, and full-stack AI integration.

While it remains unclear whether the meeting was a one-off event or part of a deeper collaboration, Dreame hinted at the latter. The company stated that the visit was part of a broader strategy to anchor Nebula Next’s development in deep technical collaboration. By working closely with academic institutions, Dreame aims to strengthen its approach to autonomous driving, vehicle intelligence, and system-level engineering.

This isn’t Dreame’s first foray into the automotive world. The company previously introduced the Nebula Next 01 concept at CES 2024, where it drew attention for its high-performance specifications. However, the introduction was reportedly botched in January, though recent images suggest the concept was brought to the Berkeley campus for the meeting.

Dreame is set to host a public event in San Francisco later this month, where it may share further details about its AI partnerships and automotive ambitions. The company’s expansion into autonomous vehicles marks a significant shift from its core vacuum and pool cleaning products.