A new two-legged robot companion named Beni is now available for crowdfunding on Kickstarter [1].

The device represents a shift toward consumer-grade agile robotics, offering autonomous filming and acrobatic capabilities in a small package. By combining remote-control play with automated recovery, the creators said they aim to make complex robotics more accessible to the general public.

Beni is designed to function as both a toy and a companion. The robot can perform jumps and flips, and it is capable of following a user while filming autonomously [1]. The creators said the machine is built to recover from crashes automatically, reducing the risk of permanent damage during high-energy movements [1].

The project is currently seeking funding via the Kickstarter platform [1]. Early backers can secure the robot at a crowdfunding price of $600 [1]. Once the product moves toward a standard retail release, the manufacturer said the retail price is expected to be $800 [1].

While the specific identity of the manufacturing company was not disclosed in the announcement, the focus remains on the robot's versatility. The combination of bipedal balance and a camera allows it to act as a mobile filming rig that can navigate environments, and return to an upright position after a fall [1].

“Beni is a two-legged robot companion that can jump, flip, and autonomously film”

The launch of Beni suggests a growing market for 'emotional' or 'companion' robotics that prioritize agility and entertainment over utility. By utilizing a crowdfunding model to bridge the gap between a $600 early-bird price and an $800 MSRP, the creators are testing the consumer appetite for expensive, bipedal hardware that serves primarily as a high-tech toy.