Parents Can Now Buy Self-Driving Strollers For Their Children
Canadian company Gluxkind created Ella, the AI-powered self-driving stroller meant to serve as an extra set of eyes and hands for parents.
We are watching technology advance at lightning speed. And now parents can get on the AI tech that is revolutionizing other industries. The latest news from the Consumer Electronics Show is that a self-driving stroller is right around the corner.
Yes, as strange as it sounds, you did read that right. The high-tech stroller got unveiled at the recent CES in Las Vegas. Its creator, Gluxkind, even earned an Innovation Awards Honoree nomination for the unique creation.
Gluxkind is a Canadian baby gear company that got its start in 2020. Its signature self-driving stroller, the Ella AI Powered Smart Stroller, will officially go on sale in April. And while customers can add their names to a pre-order list, you may wonder why you should before deciding to put “pen to paper.”
The self-driving stroller features similar tech to what robots and autonomous vehicles use. According to CNN, “Like a Tesla with “Autopilot,” the Gluxkind’s stroller’s onboard technology has sensors that detect objects around it – but it’s meant to serve as an ‘extra pairs of eyes and an extra set of hands,’ according to the company’s website – not a replacement for a caregiver.” Additionally, it has a brake assist for downhill slopes and a dual motor to help when parents are walking uphill.
It comes equipped with multiple cameras so it can keep an eye on the surroundings. But that’s not all. The self-driving stroller also has a white noise machine and an “Automatic Rock-My-Baby” feature.
So, when your new self-driving stroller isn’t cruising the streets on its own, it can help soothe your anxious child. Even so, settling your baby or toddler into an AI-powered stroller may not appeal to some parents. And the founders of Gluxkind understand.
And that is why they programmed the self-driving stroller to only work when a child is not inside, which is comforting news. The company even created a YouTube video highlighting how the innovative stroller works to help alleviate parental fears. One example is when a little one wants to ride in mom or dad’s arms.
When that happens, the self-driving stroller works by itself. That way, the parent only has to worry about their child. And not the stroller. The video also showed a case of a runaway stroller, which applies the brakes automatically.
If you’ve decided you absolutely need a self-driving stroller, here’s a few things to know. The Ella stroller isn’t cheap. It will set you back $3,300.
But…for that investment, you are not only getting the fancy, high-tech stroller. Instead, it comes complete with an infant bassinet, car seat, and toddler seat. Also, keep in mind that it weighs 30 pounds, which is not light.
It may help to know that the creators of Ella spent a lot of time designing it with parents in mind, which is good news. The CPO, Anne Hunger, issued a press release last November that discussed the thought and effort behind the self-driving stroller. Hunger said, “The development has been driven by our own experience as new parents.”
