Have you ever wanted a camera drone that is also a cute, jumping robot dog? A startup called Mondo Robotics has created "Beni," a new two-legged robot dog designed to follow you and film your adventures.
Beni is priced at $600 on Kickstarter and will cost $800 at retail. Unlike traditional flying drones, which can be noisy and annoying, Beni runs on two legs with wheels. It can reach speeds of nearly 18 miles per hour and jump up to 10 inches into the air. It can also hop up stairs and stand back up if it falls over, thanks to its unique spring-filled legs.
Beni features a built-in camera that can film stable 4K video. Users can control the robot using a smartphone app, a special wrist controller, or even third-party game controllers. It can also be set to follow behind you or circle around you automatically.
During a hands-on test by a reporter from The Verge, Beni's tracking and obstacle avoidance features were not perfect. The robot sometimes crashed into walls or hit the reporter's foot. However, the reporter was amazed by the robot's durability. Even after falling off ledges and hitting walls, Beni quickly stood back up and kept going.
The robot also has a playful personality. If you pet its head, it shakes, makes sounds, and flashes lights in its eyes. It also has swappable parts, such as outdoor wheels that can be changed for indoor ones, and space to attach extra camera accessories.
While startup projects on Kickstarter always carry some risk, the creators of Beni are experienced engineers who previously worked at the drone company DJI. They hope to start shipping the robot dog this fall.