Unitree Consumer Quadrupeds: Your Affordable Companions

Introduction To Unitree Quadrupeds for Education and Consumers

From personal companionship to research and education, these quadruped robots by Unitree —Go1, Go2, and A1— have redefined legged robotics. They offer professional-grade quadrupeds at very affordable prices, something once hard to believe would happen in the near future.

With prices starting at only $1600, it meant that quadrupeds are now accessible to many robotics enthusiasts around the world. Although they are not designed for heavy industrial applications, they do offer advanced features that enable them to be used for research and development. Such features include high-speed movement, advanced sensing technologies, and robust stability. 

As consumer products, they can also be used for fun, hobby projects, or as helpful companions. But if it is industrial applications you are looking for, then you would want to look at Unitree industry quadrupeds instead (B1, B2, and Aliengo). 

Which Quadruped is Right for You?

Each of these quadrupeds, Unitree’s Go1, Go2, and A1, has unique capabilities to cater to different needs and applications.

The Go1, with its high speed and intelligent system for staying within the lateral peripheral vision, is ideal for personal companionship as it ensures it stays close and in view without requiring constant monitoring. 

The Go2 excels in all-terrain recognition with its advanced 4D LIDAR, making it ideal for research and educational purposes where interaction and extensive battery life are crucial. It is also equipped with a variety of predefined actions and poses as well as advanced AI capabilities including GP to enhance its capabilities in terms of object recognition, understanding its surroundings, decision-making, etc. 

The A1, known for its robust stability and advanced balancing capabilities as well as exceptional hardware and vision system, is well-suited for applications requiring reliable performance and real-time navigation, such as research and development.

There are more properties and details to consider for each model, so a thorough investigation is recommended to ensure you choose the right one for your specific needs.

Speed and Dynamics

When it comes to speed, the Go1 and Go2 impress with a speed of 0 to 3.7 m/s with a top speed limit of 5 m/s. These speeds make them some of the fastest-running quadrupeds with similar specifications. The Go2 offers a variety of fun poses and actions like jumping, stretching, and even shaking hands. The A1, while a bit slower with a top speed of 3.3 m/s, still holds its own as a stable and reliable performer or a running partner. 

Battery Life and Endurance

Battery life is another crucial factor. The Go1 offers long endurance, but the Go2 leads with an upgraded 8,000mAh battery and an optional 15,000mAh ultra-long-life battery, allowing it to handle more extended and demanding tasks of up to 4 hours. The A1, while solid in this area, offers endurance ranging from 1 to 2.5 hours, which is suitable for many applications but not as extensive as the Go2.

Sensing and Detection

Sensing capabilities vary across these models. The Go1 features a sophisticated super-sensing system (SSS) with five sets of fisheye binocular depth sensors providing excellent coverage equivalent to 20 groups of Intel RealSense sensors. The Go2, however, stands out with its 4D LIDAR system that offers 360° recognition and minimal blind spots, making it the top choice for all-terrain recognition. The A1 also provides impressive sensing capabilities with its multi-view depth camera, real-time HD video transmission, and visual SLAM, ensuring accurate and reliable navigation.

Special Features

Each model brings unique special features to the table. The Go1 is equipped with an intelligent side-following system (ISS) that ensures it stays by your side with ease, reducing the need for constant monitoring. The Go2 not only has improved positioning accuracy with its ISS 2.0 but also benefits from OTA upgrades, continually improving its performance via cloud-based updates. The A1 stands out with its advanced dynamic balancing algorithm, which allows it to handle impacts and recover quickly from falls, and its real-time foot sensing, providing accurate motion sensing.

In terms of robustness and reliability, the Go1 features a patented design of ultra-lightweight, low-noise, long-life power joints. The Go2 comes with other enhancements such as better motor performance and heat pipe coolers ensuring effective temperature management and motor efficiency. The A1’s patented powertrain and sturdy build make it highly reliable, with easy maintenance and industrial-grade components that ensure long life and shock resistance.

The features extend beyond those mentioned. These robots include additional impressive software, hardware, and algorithmic advantages.