After some initial research, we found that there is already such a device out on the market. It's called the Stewart X9 Follow. However, at a list price, this item is just shy of $3,000 US!
It's certainly a high-quality product—a very sleek and beautiful design. There is no doubt that the high-end golfer would love to indulge in this item. But for your average golfer, this would absolutely break the bank.
This item also uses its own remote. The rover follows the remote, or can be piloted manually with it. We're going to use a different approach. Instead of a proprietary remote, we'll make ours follow a smart phone (via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). This means it can be paired easily. Also, we'll include a standardized RC remote (in the event that the user's phone runs out of battery because they forgot to charge it).
Using standardized parts should allow us to bring the final cost of our unit down to around $1,000 US. Our unit may not end up as luxurious as the Stewart, but it will hit a...