Do you ever get the feeling that someone is following you? If you're a golfer, there may be good reason to this paranoia with the new Shadow Caddy, the first ever robotic golf caddy that trails with you as you make your way through 18 holes.
Shadow Caddy works by sensing a transmitter clipped on to your clothes (if you dress in traditional golfing wear) and is completely hands-free, letting the golfer completely focus on the task of swinging a club at a little ball. This makes Shadow Caddy different to a remote control caddy, as there is no joystick that sends your golf clubs in the opposite direction to where you had intended them to go.
If you're not yet Tiger Woods and have a tendency to aim the ball to an area you don't want your caddy to follow you, such as a bunker or deep lake perhaps, you can simply put the caddy on park mode and it will stay still, faithfully waiting for your return from your hazard of choice.
Despite its inability to cross ponds or jump over sand traps (if I were a human caddy I would have the same stipulations in my contract) the Shadow Caddy is fully functional in all weather conditions making it more reliable than most human caddys when faced with Arctic temperatures on the green.
One of my initial concerns with this idea was what if Shadow Caddy gets a bit too close behind your heels like an excited puppy, or doesn't side-step that tree as neatly as you did? Well, the makers of Shadow Caddy have designed the device with numerous anti-collision detectors, to make sure that it maintains its own personal space and that you maintain yours.
For anyone who has somehow managed to jam Shadow Caddy into a tight spot, there is a reverse button which you can press to save you from carrying it fireman-style to safety, though that would look much more dramatic and impressive on your part.
The Shadow Caddy is powered by rechargeable long-life batteries which can power the little guy for two full rounds of 18 holes before you need to find a socket.
Shadow caddy is not for retail sale, but is only available to rent at a golf course, which is a shame really as I could really envisage one following me around Sainsburys while I stacked it up with my weekly groceries.
So for anyone out there with a handicap- don't let it be your caddy.
Source: Shadow Caddy