Mondo Robotics begins Kickstarter sales of $800 two-legged robot camera

Mondo Robotics has opened a Kickstarter campaign for Beni, a two-legged robot camera priced at roughly $600 during the campaign and $800 at full retail. The robot uses motors in its shoulders and spring-filled joints in its legs to absorb impact and right itself after falls.

Users can operate it through a mobile app, a wrist-mounted controller, or set it to follow from behind, the side, or in orbit.

Design and controls Beni carries a swappable 31 watt-hour battery, a microSD slot, and a USB-C port. Its movable ears include 1/4-inch tripod threads for accessories, and the company plans to release 3D-printable mounts and body armor. Mondo marketing director Cody Skene and creative director Ryo Miyamoto demonstrated adjustable ride height, camera pitch, stabilization strength, and movement speed through the app.

The robot can also accept third-party controllers and FPV headsets.

Performance observations During a two-hour test in downtown Oakland, the robot followed a user on foot and on a scooter but required manual activation of tracking modes. It clipped corners and occasionally struck walls or the operator's foot when using its obstacle-avoidance cameras and UWB wrist tracker.

The same test showed the robot descending stairs and recovering after repeated collisions with walls and drops from ledges, sustaining only surface scuffs. A built-in camera allowed head rotation independent of body movement. Mondo states it has no corporate connection to DJI and manufactures the robot in-house.

The company expects to ship units this fall if the project clears certification.