Unitree's As2 Robot Dog: Strong, Fast, Resilient
The As2 robot dog from Unitree weighs only 18 kg but can carry up to 15 kg. It is fast and agile.
The Unitree As2 can carry almost its own weight.
(Image: Unitree Robotics)
Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics unveiled its new As2 robot dog on Tuesday. The four-legged robot proves to be powerful in many respects. For example, in its highest configuration, the As2 Edu, it can carry weights of up to 65 kg, run at speeds over 5 m/s, and operate in a temperature range between -20 °C and 50 °C. It also withstands dust and water according to IP54.
Unitree offers the As2 in three different configurations: As2 Air, As2 Pro, and As2 Edu, which differ in their performance. The Edu model is intended for developers and exhibits the highest performance.
Common to all three As2 robot dogs is their size of 72 cm Ă— 37.8 cm Ă— 45.7 cm when standing. The robot, including batteries, weighs around 18 kg. The robot's frame is made of aluminum and high-strength plastic. The legs have a total of twelve degrees of freedom.
Strong and fast
Unitree generally does not provide information about the motors used. However, the actuators are likely an in-house development powered by permanent magnet synchronous motors. The As2 Edu generates a high torque of up to approximately 90 Nm. The torque for the Air is 45 Nm, and for the Pro, it is 65 Nm. The high torque gives the As2 high agility.
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The respective movement capabilities and maximum payload vary accordingly. When standing, the robot dog can carry 45 kg, 55 kg, and 65 kg depending on the model. When running, it's 10 kg for the Air, 13 kg for the Pro, and 15 kg for the Edu. The speed ranges from 3 m/s to 3.7 m/s to over 5 m/s. However, the high speed of the Edu model can only be achieved temporarily. There are also differences in climbing ability. The Air can overcome inclines up to 30°, while the Pro and Edu can handle 40°. The entry-level version can climb steps up to a height of 20 cm, while the Pro and Edu can manage 25 cm.
The lithium batteries are smaller in the Air at 8000 mAh compared to the Pro and Edu at 15,000 mAh. This also affects the usage time. During continuous running, the battery lasts about two hours for the Air and covers a distance of 10 km; for the Pro and Edu, it lasts four hours and is sufficient for a range of 20 km. When loaded with the respective maximum weights, the usage time of the robot dogs decreases to 1.5 hours and a range of 7 km, or 2.5 hours and a range of 13 km.
For the CPU, Unitree uses an 8-core ARM CPU in all three robots. The company does not provide exact specifications. For the Edu, performance can be enhanced with an optional Nvidia Jetson Orin NX. The Edu variant is also suitable for further development. It includes an HD camera, ultra-wide-angle lidar systems (only the Unitree L2 on the Air), and, on the two higher-end variants, GPS with centimeter-level positioning, if available. Unitree does not provide precise details on GPS accuracy. The robot dogs feature Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Gigabit Ethernet, and SBUS as an external interface. They also come with a microphone, a speaker, and a front light on all versions.
For industrial use, Unitree has focused on durability. The As2 is protected against dust and water according to IP54 and can be operated in a wide temperature range from -20 °C to 50 °C, in both cold and heat.
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Unitree points out that the specified performance data were determined in a laboratory. Due to the quadruped's high agility and dynamics, these may vary in practical use depending on the application. Unitree does not initially provide information on prices.
(olb)
