Unitree Robotics vs. Boston Dynamics: the right robot dog for me?

For a few years now, the world of quadruped robots has been growing steadily. Two brands in particular have managed to make a name for themselves: Unitree Robotics and Boston Dynamics, with its Spot robot. Génération Robots is proud to be the official European distributor of both these leading mobile robotics brands. In this article we give a comprehensive overview of their robot dogs, each with their own specific advantages and features, for use in a wide variety of contexts.

SPOT, by Boston Dynamics: the most advanced robot dog

You’ve probably already heard of Spot, a quadruped robot that looks like a dog, easily recognisable by its yellow colour. Spot was imagined by Boston Dynamics, an American company that grew out of MIT best known for designing the Atlas robots, the humanoid Parkour champions!

Spot was revealed to the general public in 2016 and became commercially available from 2019.

Infinite potential

Robust and fully configurable, Spot stands out for its ability to move around in difficult environments, and above all for its wide range of applications:

Industrial sites: this is where the quadruped is most commonly found, it can automate inspection tasks and collect data reliably, even in hostile environments

Construction: it can monitor and track work progress on site by creating a digital representation of the construction

University and research: human/robot interaction, artificial intelligence, industrial research

And in the petroleum industry, energy sector, for mining, exploration, etc.

In March 2022, SNCF called on Génération Robots to see if the Spot robot could effectively complete inspection missions on double-decker Transilien trains. We wrote a blog post about it.

Impressive features

You’ll find all the main features of the Spot robot below:

Upgradeable with accessories and payloads

You can equip Spot with a wide range of accessories for carrying out even more missions. These add-ons (payloads) will increase or improve its functionalities.

Payloads designed for Spot robot optimisation include:

Station for autonomous charging

Full-colour panoramic view

Full-colour, low-light panoramic view, microphone and speaker

Spot GXP adapter for adding non-Boston Dynamics devices

Additional processor to install your own OS and applications / SDK access

Unitree Robotics is a Chinese manufacturer that specialises in developing, producing and sales of high-performance quadruped robots. The brand offers different types of robot dog, more affordable than the Boston Dynamics Spot robot and therefore more accessible for use in research and education:

Unitree Robotics: powerful and affordable robot dogs

Go1: fast and agile

The Go1 robot dog is compact, rapid and combines several high-performance features:

Travels at speeds of up to 17 km/h (making it the fastest!)

Weighs just 12 kg

Can carry small loads: 5 kg on average, and up to 10 kg

Benefits from the unique Side-Follow tracking system and Super Sensory technology (stereoscopic sensor and camera system) for optimal navigation

There are three versions of the Go1 robot:

Go1 Air, which is the standard, entry-level version in the Go1 series. It will easily follow its operator, avoid obstacles and carry small loads. It works with a processor and has a Super Sensory System.

Go1 Pro is a more sophisticated version, with additional processors and sensors for a more powerful performance (3 processors + 5 Super Sensory Systems).

Go1 Edu is the premium version, rich in development possibilities. It’s aimed at higher education and professionals, and can be used in service robotics and autonomous surveillance.

There are three versions of the Go1 robot:

Top speed of 18 km/h

Ultra-long battery life of 2 to 4 hours

Integration of Chat GPT technology

Load capacity of up to 12 kg

Maximum joint torque of 45N.m

Advanced recognition system thanks to 4D LiDAR L1 technology

Just like its predecessor, the Go2 is available in various variants to meet a wide range of needs:

Go2 Air: an accessible version suitable for technology enthusiasts

Go2 Pro: a high-performance version at an attractive price

Go2 Edu Plus: a version specifically designed for research and higher education, available in multiple models (with or without LiDAR)

Aliengo, your robot-dog explorer

Aliengo is ideal for use in professional environments and at industrial sites as well as for research and teaching. It’s an exploration robot that offers lots of advantages.

Here’s AlienGo quick overview. This robot can:

Map your environment in 2D and 3D

Run at a speed of 6 km/h

Move easily over all types of terrain: obstacles, up and down stairs, etc.

Carry out assignments lasting between 2 and 4.5 hours

Maximum joint torque of 45N.m

Advanced recognition system thanks to 4D LiDAR L1 technology

Its main advantages are its three-dimensional view, its real-time mapping feature and its dynamic vision of obstacles. Aliengo comes in two versions: a lidar-free version and a version equipped with the RoboSense 3D lidar.

B1: the agile, high-performance robot dog

Designed for research and development, B1 is the most advanced of Unitree Robotics’ robot dogs. It stands out for its ability to carry heavy loads of more than 40 kg.

In addition to being:

Waterproof: it can operate under water thanks to its IP68 protection rating (optional)

Fast: it can reach up to 1.8 metres per second

Mobile: it can move over rough terrain and climb stairs

Flexible: it has a motor torque of 210 N.m at the knees

Autonomous: its battery allows 2 to 4 hours of work

In terms of equipment, B1 has 3 NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX supercomputers, 2 terrain sensors and force sensors in its feet.

Designed for research and development, B1 is the most advanced of Unitree Robotics’ robot dogs. It stands out for its ability to carry heavy loads of more than 40 kg,