Imagine a precious little pet that followed you everywhere and could even carry your groceries.
That’s the idea behind Gitamini, a ultra-maneuverable cargo-carrying robot on wheels from Piaggio, the maker of Vespa scooters.
But this is one pet you won’t have to put on a leash — thanks to radar technology and an array of onboard cameras, Gitamini can sense its surroundings, brake automatically, and faithfully keep pace with its owner.
The stylish 18-inch robot weighs just under 30 pounds and is the nimble kid sister to Gita, Piaggio’s 27-inch suitcase robot, introduced in 2020.
The sleeker mini is able to navigate hallways, sidewalks, and supermarket aisles with grace, the Italian vehicle maker said.
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Less than two feet tall, and just 18 inches long by 16.5 inches wide, Gitamini, the new cargo-carrying following robot from Piaggio, is the size of a medium-sized dog
A single tap is all that’s required to bring the stylish self-balancing robot to to attention and pair it to its owner.
Gitamini can carry up to 20 pounds of groceries, clothing or other cargo and can operate with its lid open—or even removed—to accommodate unwieldy items.
According to Piaggio Fast Foward (PFF), the scooter-maker’s robotics division, the robot can run continuously for up to 21 miles and automatically powers down if idle for more than 30 minutes to save on battery life.
Owners are updated on the robot’s status, battery life, and other features with a series of colored lights and custom sounds composed by the famed Berklee College of Music.
Weighing 28lbs empty, Gitamini can carry up to 20 pounds of groceries, laundry or other cargo and can operate with its lid open or even removed
Handles on the front and back enable owners to lift the GitaMini in and out of their car and over curbs and other obstacles.
Less than two feet tall, and just 18 inches long by 16.5 inches wide, Gitamini is ‘the size of a medium-sized dog,’ according to PFF—albeit a dog with a built-in USB port that will charge your phone and other devices.
Piaggio’s original Gita robot (left) is a bit more robust: The $3,250 bot weighs about 50lbs and can carry an additional 40lbs of cargo
Piaggio’s original Gita robot is a bit more robust, both structurally and financially: The $3,250 bot weighs about 50 pounds and can carry an additional 40 pounds of cargo.
Though it has a celebrity following, the original Gita is aimed more at home or office use, unlike the on-the-go mini.
‘How do we take what we have heard from people and create something different for a new segment of consumers?’ said Piaggio Fast Forward CEO Greg Lynn in a blog post.
The new model, Lynn said, ‘offers consumers options for longer trips with lighter loads or shorter journeys with heavier cargo.’
‘It is more maneuverable indoors and outdoors, is lightweight, and packages updated technology and developments into a compact and fashionable design,’ he said.
Neither version requires a smartphone app or tracks personal data through facial recognition or GPS.
Currently, the Gitamini comes in two colors—boardwalk beige and ‘attention-grabbing’ spark citron.
It will be available to U.S. customers on October 15 with a retail price of $1,850 or $64 a month with financing available.
