In early 2016, a startup called launched a campaign on Indiegogo and later StartEngine . Aido was marketed as the "Next Gen Home Robot," a sleek, ball-balancing companion designed to: Assist in the kitchen with recipes. Patrol the home as a security guard. Project movies and games onto walls. Manage smart home devices and schedules.
Experts questioned if a "ballbot" (a robot balancing on a single ball) could realistically function in a typical home with rugs, thresholds, and pets. buy aido robot
Before putting money into a high-tech crowdfunded project like Aido: In early 2016, a startup called launched a
As of 2026, the original vision of the Aido consumer home robot has largely failed to materialize for the general public: Project movies and games onto walls
The campaign was a massive success, raising from thousands of backers who were sold on a $499 "early bird" price point for a robot that promised to do it all. The Turning Point
Most backers never received a robot, and the project is frequently cited as an example of a crowdfunding "scam" or extreme over-promising.