[bluehorseray]

I honestly think there's a huge market for a consumer grade "pet" robot. Would love to have one of these running around, then I can just turn it off when I leave

[Animats]

Those are consumer-grade robots, with much better software. (They probably upgraded the motor controllers, too. But those are only crappy because hobby servo technology is stuck in the 1970s.)

[sitkack]

Those little OP3 robots are using 250$ each dynamixel digital networked servos.

http://en.robotis.com/shop_en/list.php?ca_id=202020

[Animats]

Yes, those things cost too much due to low demand.

[spaceman_2020]

Maybe it's their size or "drunk" motion, but these remind me of toddlers. I would totally get one to just walk around the house doing nothing.

[steve_adams_86]

This is already happening, though I’m not aware of any bipedal pet robots.

[nextworddev]

Any recommendations?

[rwmj]

The ones they used are Robotis OP3, a snip at $14,199 each (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35812475)

[squarefoot]

The Unitree Go1 seems the most promising among the affordable ones.

https://www.unitree.com/en/go1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdfmhWQyp_8

[nextworddev]

Would you know whether it’s feasible for hobbyists to make one of these at home by assembling components

[nulld3v]

Kind of, see: https://odri.discourse.group/

It is indeed pricey though, IIRC the cost of a Boston Dynamics Spot-like robot came down to around $6-7k. There is still room to drive the price down though.

[NalNezumi]

If you're interested in making one by yourself, you should check out Josh Piper[1]

[1] https://jpieper.com/2020/11/09/mjbots-november-2020-update/

[Teever]

Probably, but not at the price point of $2700.

It would probably be $25k-$50k and 1-3 years of development time depending on your skill set.

[NalNezumi]

I'd recommend XGO-mini2. It just finished it's Kickstarter funding for the version 2, which runs on raspberry pi. (disclaimer, I did contribute to their Kickstarter) and optionally also comes with an arm.

[numpad0]

Bunch of servos in human shapes is not too expensive, available from about $1000-1500.