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When you are the one on the skateboard, you cannot run alongside it holding a camera. Mondo Robotics built Beni for that shot. The little camera robot rolls with its subject and films from close to the ground. The idea makes sense as soon as you see the angle. The first tight turn is where it has to earn its place in the bag.

A camera can pan to follow a person without changing where it stands. Beni moves the whole camera. Imagine a skater holding the same position in the frame while the lines on the court slide past in the foreground. That movement gives the shot depth and a sense of speed. You could get it with a camera operator running alongside, but the person who wants the footage is often working alone. I would judge Beni on how often it gets that shot on an ordinary surface, rather than how spectacular its best clip looks.

Lead image: AI illustration based on the real Mondo Robotics Beni. The court scene is illustrative.

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What Beni actually does while you film

Beni balances on two powered wheels. Its camera head can adjust the framing while the base moves. Mondo’s product overview shows four tracking positions: from behind, from the front, to the side and around the subject. A rear follow shot lets the viewer see where the subject is going. A side shot needs a clear lane, and an orbit needs space on all sides. The same move that works on an empty court may be awkward next to benches or other players. The location is part of the camera setup.

There is also a manual option. Mondo’s tutorials cover a Pilot mode and a wearable Motion Tracker, which comes with the Standard Combo. That is useful when you want to position the robot before committing to a shot. Automatic framing is one part of filming, while planning a route and deciding when to stop are others. This distinction matters well beyond cameras, as our report on human supervision in robot dog trials explains.

Does Beni shoot 4K at 60 fps?

Mondo’s current specifications list a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, horizontal 4K at 30 or 60 frames per second, vertical 3K at 30 or 60 fps and Full HD up to 120 fps. An earlier Mondo guide listed 4K at 30 fps and Full HD at up to 100 fps. I would use the current overview as the manufacturer’s advertised specification. If a project depends on a particular mode, check the recording menu on the unit you receive and look at the properties of an original clip. A spec sheet cannot tell you what your particular recording will look like.

The extra frames can help when you want to slow down a fast move in the edit. For a follow shot, framing is at least as important. A high-resolution image of an empty patch of court is no use if the subject has drifted out of the frame. Check whether the horizon stays steady on rougher ground and listen to the original audio before deciding whether you need a separate microphone. A motorised camera near the ground is exposed to tyre noise and wind, even in a clip that looks smooth with music over it.

What the wheels can and cannot do

Mondo rates Beni for a top speed of 17.9 mph (28.8 km/h), a maximum jump of 10 inches (25.4 cm) and about 90 minutes on one battery. Those are separate figures, not a single operating condition. The battery figure does not mean 90 minutes of continuous filming at top speed. The support guide recommends standard wheels for flat surfaces such as concrete, tile or wood, and off-road wheels for grass. The same guide says Beni is not waterproof and should stay away from rain, puddles and wet surfaces. That rules out plenty of outdoor filming days before you even get to the question of tracking.

For a useful first trial, pick a dry, open space. Film a straight pass, a broad turn and then a pass where the subject briefly leaves the frame. Keep the full clip for each attempt. Compare the number of usable seconds and write down every time someone has to intervene. If a turn repeatedly sends the subject out of frame, try slowing down or giving the camera more room before concluding that the video mode is the problem. That simple trial is a better guide to your own work than a compilation of successful tricks.

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Price, storage and simpler ways to get the shot

Mondo’s US overview lists $799 for the Standard Combo and $959 for the Explore Combo. Explore includes three batteries instead of one, a charging hub and off-road wheels. The store may show promotions or regional prices, so compare the delivered price of the kit you would actually use. Beni has 32 GB of internal storage and a microSD slot. If you shoot repeated takes, plan how you will offload them before the next session. An extra battery only buys more shooting time if you also have enough room for the footage.

Mondo says filming and tracking run on the device. Its tutorials separately cover downloading clips and editing with MondoCut. Local recording is useful, but it does not automatically describe what every optional editing or sharing feature does. On a shoot involving other people, agree on who is in the shot and what happens to the footage before you start rolling.

If you mainly want a camera to turn and keep you framed, a tripod or a phone gimbal with tracking may be easier to set up. A flying camera such as the DJI Neo can take the shot above the action, where Beni cannot go. Beni has a more specific reason to exist: it puts a moving camera low to the ground without asking a second person to carry it. That could be worth paying for if a low follow shot is something you want every week. If you want an entire game in frame, or spend most of your time filming conversations, start with a well-placed fixed camera.

For a broader look at how mobile robots are priced for different jobs, see our Unitree Go2 and Boston Dynamics Spot comparison. As with Beni, the useful comparison starts with the result you need from the machine.

Frequently asked questions about Beni

Can Mondo Robotics Beni record 4K at 60 fps?

Mondo’s current overview lists horizontal 4K at 30 and 60 fps. Earlier material listed 30 fps. Check the modes on the actual unit and confirm them with a sample recording if 60 fps is essential.

Can I film with Beni without a camera operator?

Its tracking modes are designed to follow a subject automatically. You still need to set up the shot, leave space for the route, supervise the run and decide whether the clip is usable.

How long does a Beni battery last?

Mondo quotes about 90 minutes on one battery. Actual runtime will depend on the route, driving and filming conditions. The Explore kit includes three batteries according to Mondo.

Is Beni waterproof?

No. Mondo advises keeping it away from rain, puddles and wet surfaces.

Can Beni replace a drone or a gimbal?

It can create moving ground-level shots. A drone offers aerial angles, while a fixed camera or a tracking gimbal can be more practical when the camera does not need to travel.

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Nico Nuss [Image content created with AI]

Author Nico Nuss has worked with mobile computing and automation software since 2001. His many years of experience and strong interest in emerging technologies shape his work on robotics and artificial intelligence.

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