# Robot that walks the dog: what is real, what is a patent, what helps today

No robot that walks your dog is on sale in the US. Toyota patented a dog walking robot in 2022 and makers have built viral prototypes, but nothing ships. Today you can buy gadgets that exercise or watch a dog at home, like the iFetch ball launcher ($115) or a Furbo camera.

Updated Oct 28, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/guides/robot-that-walks-the-dog/

## Short answer

As of October 28, 2026, you cannot buy a robot that walks your dog in the US. Toyota filed a patent in 2022 for a robot that takes a dog on a leash walk, but Motor1 noted there is no guarantee it becomes a product. Robot dogs like the Unitree Go2 (from $1,600 at launch) can follow a person, not lead a real dog safely on a street. What you can buy today keeps a dog busy at home: the iFetch ball launcher is $115 from its maker, and a Furbo 360 treat tossing camera was $44 on sale when checked.

| Product or project | Price | Status (Oct 28, 2026) | What it does | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota dog walking robot | None | Patent filing, reported April 2022 | Robotic platform with a leash actuator, route mode and waste pickup | Not a product; may never be built |
| Giertz and Kampf sausage harness | None | Viral DIY project | Servo dangles a sausage to lead the dog | A joke build, not a product |
| Unitree Go2 | From $1,600 (Go2 Air at 2023 launch) | On sale | Robot dog with a side follow mode and LiDAR | Built to follow people, not to walk a real dog |
| iFetch | $115 from maker | On sale | Launches mini balls 10, 20 or 30 ft | Indoor or yard play, not a walk |
| Furbo 360 Dog Camera | $44 on sale (regular $184), plus optional Nanny plan | On sale | Camera that tosses treats and alerts on barking | Keeps an eye on the dog; no exercise beyond treat chasing |
| Enabot EBO Air 2 Plus | Price not shown on Costco page | Sold at Costco | Rolling camera robot with patrol and AI tracking | Pet care use, but no pet specific tools listed |

## Why dog walking is so hard for a robot

Walking a dog is not just moving forward on a path. A dog pulls, stops, sniffs and lunges at squirrels. The walker has to keep slack in the leash, watch traffic, deal with other dogs and people, and pick up waste. A mistake can mean a dog in the road.

That is why the ideas in this space are patents, prototypes and stunts, not products. No maker we checked sells a robot that will take your dog out the front door.

## The closest thing to a real plan: Toyota's patent

In April 2022, Motor1 reported on a Toyota patent for a robotic platform that walks a dog. The filing describes a leash attachment that lengthens or shortens the lead, a distance sensor so it does not run over the pet, and a preset route mode.

It also describes a mode where the dog steers by paw position, a mode where a person rides along, a discipline mode that stops when the dog pulls too hard, and a system to rinse urine and collect waste. Motor1 pointed out that there is no guarantee Toyota will do anything with the filing, and that a real version would need things like traffic detection on roads without sidewalks.

## Stunts and prototypes

Makers Simone Giertz and Laura Kampf built a dog walking harness for Kampf's dog, Smudo, as a video project. Hackster describes an aluminum harness with an Arduino and a servo that dangles a piece of sausage in front of the dog to lead him along. It was a joke build, not a product.

NBC News covered a New York designer who attached a drone to his Golden Retriever's leash and let it lead the dog on a mapped route. It made a fun video. It is not something to try near traffic.

## Can a robot dog walk my dog?

Robot dogs are on sale, but they are not dog walkers. Unitree launched the Go2 in July 2023, starting at $1,600 for the Go2 Air and $2,800 for the Go2 Pro, according to Automated Warehouse. It has a 4D LiDAR sensor and a side follow system so it can walk next to a person. It weighs about 15 kg, roughly 33 lb.

Nothing in Unitree's announcement covers holding a leash or controlling a live animal. A strong dog could easily pull a 33 lb robot over. Treat any video of a robot dog walking a real dog as a stunt unless the maker sells it as a feature.

## What to buy now to keep a dog busy

If the real goal is exercise and company while you are busy, a few gadgets help. iFetch's maker lists the original iFetch at $115. It launches 1.5 inch mini balls 10, 20 or 30 feet and suits small to medium dogs. The larger iFetch Too uses standard tennis balls and launches up to 40 feet.

Furbo's US site listed the Furbo 360 Dog Camera at $44 on sale, down from $184, when checked. It tosses treats, has two way talk and sends barking alerts. Smart alerts and video history need the Furbo Nanny plan, listed at about $6.99 a month on the annual plan.

Costco sells the Enabot EBO Air 2 Plus, a rolling camera robot with patrol and AI tracking. Costco's page lists pet care as a use, but does not describe pet specific tools like a treat dispenser.

None of these replace a walk. A dog walker or daycare is still the answer for real outdoor exercise.

## How to judge a dog walking gadget

- Ask if it actually holds a leash. No product we found does.

- Ask how it handles traffic. Toyota's patent itself was flagged as needing traffic detection.

- Ask about weight. A 33 lb robot dog cannot hold back a large dog.

- Check the subscription. Furbo's best features need a monthly Nanny plan.

- Match ball size to your dog. iFetch uses mini balls and iFetch Too uses tennis balls.

- Treat viral videos as stunts unless the maker sells the feature.

## Questions people ask

### Is there a robot that walks dogs?

No. As of October 28, 2026, no robot that walks dogs is on sale in the US. Toyota patented one in 2022, but it is not a product.

### Can a Unitree Go2 walk my dog?

Not safely. The Go2 is built to follow a person with its side follow mode. It weighs about 33 lb and is not sold to hold a leash.

### Did Toyota make a dog walking robot?

Toyota filed a patent for one, reported in April 2022. It described a leash actuator, route modes and waste pickup. Motor1 said there is no guarantee it becomes a product.

### What can exercise my dog while I am at work?

An automatic ball launcher like the $115 iFetch helps dogs that already like fetch. A treat tossing camera like the Furbo 360 adds some play and lets you check in.

### How much does a robot dog cost?

Unitree's Go2 launched in 2023 at $1,600 for the Go2 Air and $2,800 for the Go2 Pro. Neither is a dog walker.

## Sources

1. [Motor1: Toyota patents dog walking robot (Apr 11, 2022)](https://www.motor1.com/news/579174/toyota-patents-dog-walking-vehicle/about:blank)
2. [Hackster: The dog walking robot](https://www.hackster.io/news/the-dog-walking-robot-d19195afe8fe)
3. [NBC News: Man used a drone to walk his dog](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/wbna55245107)
4. [Automated Warehouse: Unitree launches Go2 for $1,600 (Jul 19, 2023)](https://www.automatedwarehouseonline.com/?p=1234)
5. [iFetch: FAQ and models](https://goifetch.com/pages/faq)
6. [Furbo: Furbo 360 Dog Camera](https://furbo.com/products/furbo-360-dog-camera)
7. [Costco: Enabot EBO Air 2 Plus bundle](https://www.costco.com/p/-/enabot-ebo-air-2-plus-companion-robot-bundle/4000404690?langId=-1)