Four robots with cameras and Wi-Fi, each happy to become your AI assistant's body. Two arrive pre-built and ready to go; two are kits you build yourself.
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No assembly: they arrive built with the Raspberry Pi already on board, so you just charge them and set up the AI link. You pay more for that convenience.
Price band 3 of 3: ready to go
Raspberry Pi CM4 built in, nothing extra to buy
Price band 3 of 3: ready to go
Raspberry Pi CM5 built in, nothing extra to buy
Cheaper and fun to build, and you'll learn how your robot works along the way. Set aside an afternoon or two, and add your own Raspberry Pi.
Price band 1 of 3: budget kit
Needs a Raspberry Pi and batteries (not included)
Price band 2 of 3: mid-range kit
Needs a Raspberry Pi (not included)
Price bands are our rough guide, last checked October 2026: £ budget (usually under £150), ££ mid-range (usually £150 to £250), £££ premium (usually over £250). They aren't live prices, so check today's price on Amazon. Illustrations are our own drawings, not product photos.
| Yahboom Rider-Pi (CM4) | Yahboom Rider-Pi (CM5) | Freenove Robot Dog | SunFounder PiDog | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Pre-built | Pre-built | Kit | Kit |
| Type | Wheel-legged | Wheel-legged | Four-legged walker | Four-legged walker |
| Price band | £££ premium | £££ premium | £ budget | ££ mid-range |
| Raspberry Pi | Built in (CM4) | Built in (CM5, faster) | Buy separately | Buy separately |
| Camera | Yes, 5MP | Yes, 5MP | Yes | Yes (in its nose) |
| Mic and speaker | Built in | Built in | Add your own (USB) | Built in |
| Face | 2-inch screen | 2-inch screen | Sensor "eyes" | Sensor "eyes" + light bar |
| Build time | Minutes | Minutes | A long afternoon | An afternoon |
| Best for | Skipping the build for less | Skipping the build, fastest | Tinkerers on a budget | Most people who enjoy building |
Whichever bot you choose, these are the things that make the difference once it's connected to your AI assistant.
Essential if you want your AI to look around for you. Check where it's mounted: a camera on the head or nose sees what the robot is facing.
Built in means you can just talk to it. Without them, you'll add a small USB mic and speaker, or chat through your phone instead.
Wi-Fi lets you check in from your phone, and a Raspberry Pi brain is what makes these bots easy to connect to an AI assistant.
Expect hours of use, not days. Think about where it'll charge, so it's topped up when you're out.
Kits are cheaper, fun to build and teach you how the robot works, but take an afternoon or two. Pre-built bots cost more but you're up and running in minutes.
The Rider-Pi comes with either a Raspberry Pi CM4 or the newer, faster CM5 compute module. The CM4 version costs less; the CM5 version feels snappier with camera and voice tasks.
Legs cope with small bumps, wheels are faster on smooth floors. None of these bots can do stairs.
Not sure how it all fits together? See how it works, or read our honest FAQ.
Go for the Freenove Robot Dog. Cheapest way in, and you'll know every screw.
The SunFounder PiDog. Voice built in, tail-wagging included.
The Yahboom Rider-Pi (CM5). Pre-built, with a screen for a face and the faster brain.
The Yahboom Rider-Pi (CM4). Same robot, older and slower brain, lower price.
