Unitree Go2-W (Wheeled robot dog)

Unitree’s Go2-W wheeled robot dog walks and navigates rough terrain. The bot can lock its wheels into walking mode, traverse rough terrain, stairs, and even balance on its front legs.

The Go2-W is an all-terrain variant of the Go2 series, with motorized wheels instead of padded feet. Chinese robotics firm Unitree is taking on U.S. rivals like Boston Dynamics with an interesting update to its four-legged Go2. In a new video shared by the company on YouTube, the new wheeled bot appears to be a bit more aggressive against its non-wheeled counterparts, appearing to be faster in a side-by-side race. However, the official specifications on Unitree’s website list its top speed as 5.6 mph (2.5 m/s), still the same as the base Go2. The company has not announced a price for the new Go-2-W variant.

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The four-legged robot’s wheels have 7-inch pneumatic tires that can be locked for static manoeuvres like climbing stairs. The bot can lock its wheels to switch to walking mode, allowing it to navigate difficult terrain, climb stairs, overcome obstacles, and even perform acrobatic feats like balancing on its front legs. It navigates its surroundings using super-wide-angle lidar and wide-angle view cameras, providing precise obstacle detection.