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The brand new Unitree Go2-W quadruped provides wheels to the ft, providing new forms of locomotion. | Credit score: Unitree
Unitree Robotics launched its newest quadruped platform, the Go2-W (“W” for wheeled). This can be a variation of its low-cost Go2 quadruped. The brand new Go2-W options wheels as an alternative of “paws,” giving it a novel kinematic design that makes the robotic nimble, environment friendly on laborious surfaces, and able to some new tips.
When working in wheeled mode, the legs of the Go2-W perform like energetic shock absorbers, smoothing the journey for the Go2-W physique (and presumable any sensors on board).
The Go2-W shares the entire similar primary specs because the Go2. This consists of Unitree’s proprietary 4D LIDAR L1 with 360°x90° hemispherical ultra-wide recognition. The Go2-W is 70cm x 43cm x 50cm (27.5″ x 16.9″ x 19.7″) and weighs a svelt 18kg (39.7 lbs). The fundamental battery on the Go2-W is identical because the Go2, however the Go2-W features a lengthy endurance model at 15000 mAh.
The video beneath exhibits the Go2-W rolling on 2-4 wheels when wanted. It could possibly additionally stroll like a typical quadruped by locking the wheels and climb over obstacles as much as 70 cm (2.3 ft).
Wheels make lengthy missions extra environment friendly
Unitree isn’t the primary quadruped to connect wheels to a quadruped. Firms like LimX and ANYbotics have every demonstrated quadrupeds with wheels. The idea of a wheeled quadruped gives a mixed-modality cellular robotic that may use its wheels on laborious, easy surfaces for environment friendly movement. It could possibly then change to four-legged movement when there are obstacles (like stairs) to maneuver by.
Unitree hasn’t shared the value of the Go2-W, however the entry-level Go2 begins at $1600 USD.
The Boston Dynamics Spot and ANYbotics ANYmal are each industrialized quadrupeds, designed to function in excessive situations. The ANYmal is explosion-proof and licensed for operations the place explosive chemical substances or fumes could be current.
Unitree, Boston Dynamics, ANYbotics, and several other different cellular robotics corporations all signed a promise to not promote their options for weaponized functions within the army.
The Unitree Go2-W robotic can maneuver over massive obstacles. | Credit score: Unitree
