New York
CNN
—
Hang on to your baby: Self-driving technology is coming to strollers.
Canada-based baby gear startup Gluxkind showcased its Ella AI Powered Smart Stroller at this year’s CES, the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas that offers cutting-edge and cutting-edge technology.
The smart stroller offers much of the same technology seen in autonomous cars and delivery robots, including a dual-motor system for uphill rides and automatic down brake assist. Whom Tesla with “Autopilot” The Gluxkind stroller’s onboard technology has sensors that detect objects around it — but it’s meant to serve as “an extra set of eyes and an extra set of hands,” according to the company’s website — not a replacement for a caregiver.
The Ella stroller can steer itself for hands-free walking – but only when the child is not in it. It uses cameras to monitor the surroundings and move on the pavements.
Gluxkind for parents who are probably and understandably worried about putting their baby in a stroller with their own mind YouTube video with some use cases. A parent walking down a hill with a stroller rushes to save a child’s toy that has fallen to the ground. The stroller brakes by itself.
In another demo, the baby gets tired of sitting in the stroller and wants to carry it. Ella walks by herself while the parent carries the child.
Still, self-driving technology is completely unproven and unquestionable not ready for prime time. While the companies implementing the technology in cars say it adds an element of safety and captures the driver’s attention when used properly, getting kids interested in artificial intelligence may not be for everyone.
Founded in 2020, Gluxkind has also added extra stroller features to Ella, including Automatic Rock-My-Baby and a built-in white noise machine to soothe sleeping babies. The whole system is equipped with a car seat, a crib and a child seat.
“The development came from our own experience as new parents.” Gluxkind CPO and co-founder Anne Hunger wrote in a November press release. “We’ve worked hard on this product and are excited to get it into the hands of even more customers in 2023.”
Parents can join the pre-order list for $3,300 for the 30-pound Ella, one of the consumer tech products named as an Innovation Awards Winner at the 2023 CES show. According to the company’s website, deliveries of the stroller are expected to begin in April 2023.
