Dreame halts 'Project Starry Sky' as government support evaporates
Chinese vacuum maker Dreame is closing its automotive division, known as Project Starry Sky, after government funding ceased. The unit, which previously employed more than 1,000 people, now has only a handful of legal and HR staff handling its shutdown. Dreame says it will concentrate on smart home, outdoor, smart mobility, and embodied AI, while regulators tighten oversight of private fund spending.
Dreame’s pivot away from automotive work follows a rapid expansion into robotics, smartphones, and other ventures, many funded by Chinese state support. The company’s San Francisco debut of the “Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition” claimed rocket-assisted acceleration and a solid-state battery, but former staff say the display model lacked a real chassis and moved by remote control. Regulators have since tightened rules on private fund spending, directly scrutinizing Dreame’s use of government money.
The shutdown leaves only legal and HR personnel to dissolve the division, which once numbered over 1,000 employees. Dreame’s remaining focus areas—smart home, outdoor gear, smart mobility, and embodied AI—signal a retreat from flashy automotive promises toward more established product lines. The episode mirrors broader skepticism about startups that announce ambitious vehicles without production capability.
This closure could signal a cooling of state-backed tech ambitions in China, where government funding often fuels speculative ventures. Consumers who pre-ordered or invested in Dreame’s car concept may face losses, while employees and suppliers bear the immediate brunt. The episode may also dampen enthusiasm for flashy automotive reveals from non-automakers, prompting investors to demand more concrete engineering evidence before backing similar projects.