This creepy, self-pushing stroller isn’t what you think

The idea of ​​a pram rolling down the street without anyone pushing it can seem terrifyingbut a Canadian startup has created a pram that does just that.

GlüxKind’s Ella stroller, on display at CES, features a dual electric motor setup and sensor system that allows parents to be hands-free…sort of. The stroller will not go alone with a child inside. Self-driving mode only works when the stroller is empty.

In addition, a person must walk behind the stroller. If the sensors do not detect someone’s presence, the stroller stops. Sensors surrounding the stroller can also “see” potential obstacles like bikes or cars and alert parents to potential dangers.

Although it might not seem very useful, GlüxKind says the mode could be useful for parents if their child becomes fussy and needs to be carried, as it would free up their hands to hold the child while they walk behind the stroller. The dual electric motor can also help parents climb steep hills by doing the heavy lifting for them while they just steer.

The stroller’s battery, which can be replaced for charging purposes, provides about eight hours of pushing power and takes about four hours to fully recharge, the company said. There’s also a rocker mode that moves the stroller forwards and backwards to make it easier for your child to sleep, plus a built-in white noise machine.

The Ella features a look similar to many high-end strollers. There is a bassinet for smaller babies which can be replaced with a forward-facing seat as the child grows. At around 33 pounds, the Ella is super heavy for a stroller, mainly thanks to its motor and battery. Its frame folds up easily, but it’s something you’d probably store in the back of an SUV, not for climbing stairs.

Fair warning, all this technology comes at a steep price. The Ella will set you back $3,800, nearly double the cost of even the highest-end, non-motorized strollers. But that hasn’t stopped some people from buying it. The company was recently forced to suspend pre-orders for fear that it could not meet demand quickly enough.

GlüxKind’s first batch of 100 strollers are currently being produced at a factory in Vancouver, British Columbia, and are expected to ship in July.