Unitree Launches New As2 Quadruped

Once again China’s Unitree is making waves, this time with the launch of its new As2 quadruped (see video below), which has over 4 hours of no-load runtime and an IP54 rainproof design, plus it can handle a 15 kg payload, with a range of over 13 km in ideal conditions.

The video provided by the robotics company shows a very agile quadruped, jumping and running, in – it has to be said – a very natural ‘dog-like’ way.

Some key aspects include:

• ‘Bionic Embodied Large Model enables agile motions — running, climbing, jumping. Maximum no-load speed reaches 5 m/s, with the ability to climb 50cm vertical platforms and 40° slopes.
• Equipped with an 8-core CPU and a self-developed ISS 3.0 Intelligent Follow System for centimeter-level positioning and stable company/following
• Provides developer-friendly interfaces, supporting large AI models for embodied AI interaction and autonomous decision-making.’

Of course, as always, the question remains: what will people use quadrupeds for? Why run with one carrying your pack when you can just carry it yourself? Why have one wandering around a large area for observation when you can just use a drone, at least for a limited need?

Clearly there are some good use cases, such as inventory inspection, or extended area patrol, but it’s far from a universal form. We shall see how businesses find ways to use quadrupeds as the technology steadily improves.

More here.

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