Meet Gita: A cargo Robot that follows your around

Two years after the launch of the Prototype, the company has rolled out a consumer-ready version

Gita made headlines back in 2017 with the launch of its bright blue orb-shaped cargo robot. Parent company Piaggio Fast Forward has now revealed the consumer version adding some features to the original prototype while curtailing others. This is the same company that makes the not so glorious Vespa scooters.

The original design contained a self-balancing autonomous robot (weighing 50 lb or 22.7 kg) that can cart goods weighing 40 lb (18 kg) at a nimble speed of 35 km/h (22 mph). The robot was created to supplement the “human masters” with their load carrying while keeping them hands-free for other useful activities.

The robot follows the owner like a loyal pet using the SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology. The robot could navigate autonomously—using the SLAM technology coupled with a forward-facing stereo camera system, it could chart a 3D map of the user’s environment as it moved through it. This was supposed to give it the capability of undertaking autonomous missions eventually.

The company has taken a step back on its original vision of granting Gita full autonomy on navigation. The latest consumer…