Blue Frog Robotics BUDDY

Quote only

AvailableVia SSH / web / bridgeAndroid SDKSchools/eldercareCrowdfunded

Weeks+Shipping: Quote / weeks.

Remote control: Apps are built with the Android SDK and deployed to the robot. No plain Python API from a laptop.

LEARN MORE (Blue Frog Robotics) ↗

Overview

A crowdfunded 2015 'family companion' that slipped for years before reappearing as a B2B robot for hospitalized students, nursing homes and reception desks, mainly in France. It now offers telepresence and ChatGPT-backed conversation on an animated face. One of the few crowdfunded companions still sold.

Type: Companion robot · Small companion robots
Maker: Blue Frog Robotics (France)
Released: 2015
Price: Quote only
Status: Available
Best for: Ages 8+
Programming: Full SDK

Price and shipping

Indiegogo 2015 perks started at $499 (super early bird Classic), with regular backer prices of $649 (Classic) and $749 (Developer Edition). Now sold to institutions by quote.

Shipping: Quote / weeks. Sold to institutions via quote, primarily in Europe. US availability unclear. Get Buddy ↗

Specifications

Category	Companion robots · Small companion robots
Released	2015
Country	France
Availability	Available
Sales	1,750 delivered to French schools for the TED-i program Blue Frog Robotics ↗
Programmability	Full SDK
Built-in autonomy	Navigates · Goes to places on its own, such as mapped rooms, waypoints or its charging dock
LLM support	Built-in LLM chat · Blue Frog integrates ChatGPT for open conversation and in Buddy Studio dialogues, shown on its animated face. Blue Frog Robotics (VivaTech) ↗
MuJoCo simulation	None found · Nothing found.
NVIDIA Isaac simulation	None found · Nothing found.
Gazebo simulation	None found · Nothing found.
Best for	Ages 8+ (estimated)
Vision sensors	Camera
Actuators	DC / gear motors
Audio	Speaker, Microphone
Compute type	Proprietary / undisclosed
Remote control	Via SSH / web / bridge
Size	About 56–60 cm tall (56 cm, 5 kg in the 2015 spec, Blue Frog now says 60 cm)
Drive	Two-wheel differential drive
Compute	Android-based tablet head (the 2015 design specified an Intel Atom tablet)
Vision	Front camera
Lidar	None
Sensors	Touch sensors on the head, microphones, obstacle and cliff detection
Runtime	8–10 h (2015 spec)
Speed	About 0.6 m/s (roughly 2 ft/s, 2015 spec)
SDK	Official Android SDK (Unity-based tooling historically)

Common questions

How much does BUDDY cost?

Quote only. Indiegogo 2015 perks started at $499 (super early bird Classic), with regular backer prices of $649 (Classic) and $749 (Developer Edition). Now sold to institutions by quote.