US-based Mondo Robotics Launches $600 Beni Robot Dog

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Mondo Robotics, a US company founded by former DJI employees, has launched a bipedal dog-shaped robotic camera named Beni, designed as an alternative to traditional aerial drones. The device is available for pre-order on Kickstarter at approximately $600, with a suggested retail price of $800.

Beni can automatically follow users or pets, reaching a maximum speed of about 29 km/h, jumping up to 25 cm high, and climbing stairs. A single charge provides up to 1.5 hours of battery life. While moving, Beni can capture and edit 4K30 HDR video, and also supports 3K60 and 1080p100 resolutions.

Users can control Beni via virtual joysticks (single or dual) in a mobile app or through an included physical controller that can be worn on the wrist like a watch. Beni supports following from behind, the side, or orbiting around the user like a drone. In tests, the auto-tracking feature required manual activation. The obstacle avoidance system includes two 150-degree field-of-view cameras and a wrist-mounted UWB tracker, but accuracy was insufficient when following a user on an electric scooter, causing the robot to collide with walls, corners, and the user's legs; the system performed more stably during walking tests on downtown Oakland streets.

Beni's design emphasizes high stability and durability. The device can descend stairs and recover its posture after falling from heights or colliding with walls. The leg mechanism includes motors in the shoulder joints that can extend the lower leg sections for jumping, while spring-loaded cylindrical hinges absorb impact loads. Wheeled feet allow the robot to instantly get up from a fall by rotating its legs and retracting the wheels under the body.

Beni features interactive functions: when its head is touched, the robot can jump, sway, or emit sounds, accompanied by LED lighting in its "eyes" with a brightness of approximately 37 lux. Its head can rotate independently of the body, expanding the field of view for obstacle avoidance cameras. The app offers a full head rotation mode for capturing the user from the front.

The back of the body is equipped with a replaceable 31 Wh battery with a built-in power button. The device includes a protected microSD card slot (for expanding the built-in 32 GB storage) and a hidden USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The orange structural components mimicking ears have adjustable angles, and beneath these parts are 1/4-inch standard threaded mounts for attaching photography and video accessories. The wheels can be swapped from an external set to an internal set (for indoor use) in a single operation, with the basic package including one set of wheels.

The body features contact points for future function expansion: four on top for a treat-dispensing module, and two on the bottom for a charging station and docking station. The company announced plans to release a 4G modem connected via USB-C for the Chinese market, enabling remote control of the robot. Additionally, files for 3D printing additional camera mounts and armor plates are planned for release.

The mobile app offers extended settings for advanced users: adjusting suspension height, camera tilt angle, image stabilization level, movement and rotation speed, and joystick response curves. Beni is compatible with third-party controllers, including FPV drone remotes and car steering wheels (e.g., Logitech G29), connected via a phone, provided an external power source is available.

Mondo Robotics confirmed it has no organizational ties to DJI and stated that Beni is entirely produced in-house. The device is expected to launch this fall. The manufacturer reminds users of standard Kickstarter project risks: potential shipping delays, certification issues, or customs clearance problems.