Just when you think we’ve reached the limits for robotic ingenuity in everyday life, along comes a robo golf caddy to remind us there are still countless areas that can still be exploited by robotics.
Digital Journal — The “follow-me golf caddy” is a robotic golfing partner otherwise known as the Shadow Caddy. For the man or woman who is looking for that special something to turn heads on the golf course, this robot caddy makes being lazy and void of human interaction that much easier.
The three-wheel electronic caddy is entirely hands-free and carries all your clubs with you around the course. No need to control R2D2 with a joystick or remote control, either, as it follows you around the fairway as if it were your shadow.
The company says the robot incorporates “advanced technology” including multiple on-board CPUs. A transmitter attached to the golfer tells the robot where to follow and it also includes a collision detection system and can sense steep inclines to avoid.
The Shadow Caddy comes with a park button so you can stop it from following you out onto a green or into a bunker, and the company also says it will work in rain, freezing cold or under hot sun.
Right now you have to be a golfer in Australia to “hire” one of these robotic helpers and the company says deliveries have started. The company promises to keep an up-to-date list of locations where the Shadow Caddy can be found online here, but no courses are currently listed. And in case you’re curious: It’s only available for renting on courses and is not sold in retail stores.
Check out a video of the Shadow Caddy in action here:
