Walls, furniture, and stairs are no match for the Unitree Go2-W, an all-terrain upgrade to the company’s renowned robot dog lineup. Around this time last year, Chinese robotics company Unitree garnered attention with the impressive circus tricks and GPT chat capabilities of its $1,600 second-generation robot dog. Now, they have introduced a new contender in the robotic world: the Go2-W, a robot dog equipped with wheels for enhanced mobility.
While traditional robot quadrupeds are fast, agile, and useful, they can sometimes be limited by their four-legged design. For some scenarios, rolling on wheels proves to be a more efficient mode of movement. This concept has already been demonstrated by robots like the Swiss-Mile Robot and the W1. Unitree’s Go2-W joins this innovative wheeled category, aiming to offer the best of both walking and rolling capabilities.
In comparative demonstrations, the Go2-W exhibits a somewhat assertive demeanor when pitted against its non-wheeled counterpart and appears faster in head-to-head sprints. Despite this perception of increased speed, the official specifications list the top speed of the Go2-W as identical to the base Go2, clocking in at 5.6 mph (2.5 m/s).
Much like its predecessor, the Go2-W features a sophisticated sensor suite. This includes super-wide-angle LiDAR and wide-angle vision cameras, providing excellent navigation and obstacle detection. The bot is powered by an octa-core processor and supports a range of wireless connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, 4G, and Bluetooth. The 15,000-mAh battery ensures up to four hours of operation per charge, with the added benefit of fast-charge capabilities to minimize downtime.
A key feature of the Unitree Go2-W is its motorized wheels. Replacing the traditional pads at the end of each jointed leg, these wheels are equipped with 7-inch pneumatic tires. This design allows the robot to glide smoothly over flat surfaces and adjust its angle for minor bumps. When faced with more challenging terrain, the wheels can be locked, enabling the bot to walk, climb stairs, and tackle obstacles. It can even perform acrobatic maneuvers such as balancing on its front legs.
The Unitree Go2-W is designed to carry a payload of up to 6.6 pounds (3 kg), stands slightly taller than the Go2 at 27.6 inches (70 cm), and weighs around 40 pounds (18 kg). For operations in low-light conditions, the robot is equipped with front lighting. Additionally, it includes a voice function, which is likely powered by the same natural-language GPT engine found in the non-wheeled model.
At this time, Unitree has not disclosed pricing or availability information for the Go2-W. However, given the impressive capabilities and innovative design of this new model, it is sure to attract interest from various sectors looking for versatile and reliable robotic solutions.
Product page: Go2-W
