A quadruped robot for industrial inspection is a mobile platform that carries sensors (cameras, thermal cameras, LiDAR, gas detectors) along a repeatable route: substations, machine rooms, warehouses, yards and technical tunnels. Compared with a wheeled robot it climbs steps, grates and ramps; compared with a humanoid it is more stable and carries more payload for the same weight.
The Unitree range covers four sizes. The choice depends less on the robot's "power" and more on the environment: dust, rain, temperature, stairs, the length of the inspection round and the weight of the sensors to mount.
Go2, AS2, A2 and B2 compared
Data from the official Unitree pages (Go2, AS2, A2, B2). Battery life figures are measured by Unitree in the laboratory and vary with load and terrain.
| Specification | Go2 EDU | AS2 Pro / X / EDU | A2 / A2 Pro | B2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight with battery | about 15 kg | about 20 kg | about 42 kg | about 60 kg |
| Protection rating | not declared | IP54 | IP56; A2 Pro IP56-IP67 (main components IP67) | IP67 |
| Continuous walking payload | about 8 kg (max about 12 kg) | about 13 kg (Pro), 15 kg (X, EDU) | about 25 kg | over 40 kg |
| Payload when stationary | not declared | about 55-65 kg | about 100 kg | at least 120 kg |
| Battery life without load | about 2-4 h | about 4 h, about 20 km | over 5 h, about 20 km | over 5 h, over 20 km |
| Battery life with load | not declared | over 2.5 h with 13-15 kg | over 3 h with 25 kg | over 4 h with 20 kg |
| Operating temperature | not declared | from -20 to 50 °C (Pro), from -20 to 55 °C (X, EDU) | from -20 to 55 °C | from -20 to 55 °C |
| Stairs / step | about 16 cm | 25 cm stairs | max step 30 cm | 20-25 cm stairs, max step 40 cm |
| Slope | 40° | about 40° | about 45° | over 45° |
| Abra price (excl. VAT) | from €8,804 | EDU from €12,473, Pro €29,900 | from €30,814, Pro from €42,407 | from €68,966 |
Prices from the Abra Robotics End-User price list, excluding VAT. Shipping and insurance to the UK are quoted in the offer; VAT and customs are as described on the UK page. Every order is confirmed with an updated quote.
What IP54, IP56 and IP67 mean
The IP code is defined by the IEC 60529 standard. The first digit indicates protection against dust, the second against water:
- IP54: protected against dust (not dust-tight) and water splashes from any direction. Fine for dusty warehouses and light rain.
- IP56: the same dust protection, plus resistance to powerful water jets. Suited to yards and outdoor routes in bad weather.
- IP67: dust-tight and resistant to temporary immersion. This is the level needed for deep puddles, washdowns and very dirty environments.
One detail that matters: on the AS2 the IP54 rating is stated only for the Pro, X and EDU versions, not for the AS2 Air. On the A2 Pro, Unitree specifies that IP67 refers to the main components, while the robot as a whole is rated between IP56 and IP67.
Which model for which site
Go2 EDU: testing, lab work, clean indoor spaces
The Go2 EDU is the starting point for developing and validating an inspection application on a budget: SDK and ROS 2 available, integrated 4D L2 LiDAR, 15000 mAh battery. The limitation is environmental: Unitree declares neither an IP rating nor an operating temperature. The Go2 Air and Pro versions do not allow secondary development; the full comparison is in the article Go2 vs Go2 Pro.
AS2: surveillance and inspection indoors and in light outdoor settings
The AS2 weighs about 20 kg and, in the Pro, X and EDU versions, is rated IP54 with a 64-128 line industrial LiDAR, a 15000 mAh (648 Wh) battery and a GPS/4G module, disabled by default and enabled only on user authorisation. Secondary development is supported on the X and EDU, not on the Pro; only the EDU includes the charging dock. To learn more: the Unitree AS2 guide, and the AS2 EDU and AS2 Pro pages.
A2: semi-outdoor plants and long rounds
The A2 carries about 25 kg in continuous walking and is rated at over 3 hours and about 12.5 km with that load, with a single 9000 mAh or dual 18000 mAh battery. The A2 Pro version has two LiDARs instead of one and includes GPS, 4G and a wireless tracking module (optional on the standard A2). It is the right size when the sensor package weighs more than an AS2 can carry.
B2: harsh environments, rain, heavy loads
The B2 is the most rugged industrial quadruped in the range: IP67, about 60 kg, over 40 kg of payload while walking, a quickly replaceable 45 Ah (2250 Wh) battery and optional autonomous charging. Unitree positions it for industrial inspection and electrical plant inspection. Standard sensors (varying by configuration): one 3D LiDAR, two depth cameras and two optical cameras. Unitree notes that some functions require an operator or secondary development.
ATEX: the limit to clarify right away
Equipment intended for explosive atmospheres must comply with Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX). The official pages for the Go2, AS2, A2 and B2 do not state any ATEX or explosion-proof certification. These robots must therefore not be used inside classified zones (refineries, solvent storage, certain areas of chemical and oil and gas plants).
Mounting a gas detector on the robot does not change this: the sensor measures the atmosphere, but the robot remains uncertified equipment. For classified zones you need a platform with ATEX certification declared by the manufacturer. General information, not legal advice: zone classification is the responsibility of the employer and its engineers.
Inspection sensors in the price list
The robot is the platform; the result of the inspection depends on the sensors. The Abra Robotics price list already includes some packages for the Go2 / Go2-W family and for the B2:
- Go2 / Go2-W gas detection sensor (from €2,342 excl. VAT): according to the datasheet it measures oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide, benzene, temperature and humidity, with readings in the Go2 app. There is also the full Go2 Gas Detection configuration.
- Remote control with screen and dual-spectrum gimbal (from €15,610 excl. VAT): 3-axis stabilised gimbal with a 640×512 thermal camera in the 8-14 μm band.
- Additional LiDAR kits for the Go2: Livox Mid-360 and Hesai XT16, useful for denser maps.
- LiDAR SLAM kit for B2 / B2-W: 32-channel LiDAR and an Intel Core i7 board with basic navigation algorithms.
Third-party sensors (different radiometric thermal cameras, analysers, dedicated radios) can be considered on the AS2 EDU, A2 and B2, but mechanical, electrical and software compatibility must be checked case by case before ordering.
How to choose: six questions
- Is the route outdoors or wet? Light rain: AS2 (IP54). Water jets and bad weather: A2. Puddles, washdowns, mud: B2.
- Are there ATEX zones? If the route crosses them, none of these models is suitable for those zones.
- How much do the sensors weigh? Up to about 8 kg: Go2 EDU. Up to 13-15 kg: AS2. Up to about 25 kg: A2. More: B2.
- How long is the round? Compare battery life with load, not unladen, and consider automatic charging docks or boards.
- Minimum and maximum temperature? The AS2, A2 and B2 are rated at least from -20 to 50 °C; for the Go2 the figure is not declared.
- Do the data need to feed into your software? Then you need a version with secondary development (Go2 EDU, AS2 X or EDU, or the development configurations of the A2 and B2 to be confirmed in the quote).
For a first overview you can use the "Find the right robot" questionnaire or see the full range on the quadrupeds page. If the robot works near people, also read our note on the Machinery Regulation 2027.