Drones have become the standard for reality capture at construction sites. Hard hat cameras, human-operated scanners, and laser scanners still provide the most accurate data in interior construction. Quadrupled robotic systems are an alternative, but they can be expensive. This may soon change, as robots equipped with AI-powered software and upgraded hardware are now available to even consumers.
Unitree’s Go2 is an example of a consumer robot that performs better than industrial robotics from a few decades ago. Go2’s price, which starts at $1600, makes it extra attractive.
A robot capable of a lot
In a marketing video, the robot is shown to be able to do acrobatics and walk on difficult terrain. The robot is equipped with WiFi6, Bluetooth, and 4G connectivity. It has a battery life of two to four hours. The robot can carry up to 7-8 kg of payload. You can also add an arm or censoring device to extend its functionality.
The mobile app allows you to control the robot in 3D-scanned environments and monitor its movements.
According to the Generation ROBOTS blog, the robotic platform can be programmed in C/C++ and is compatible with ROS. The DDS, ROS2, and GStreamer SDKs are available to programmers.
A promo photo of Unitree Go2
A game changer?
Go2 is a revolutionary robot compared to industrial-grade quadruped robots that cost $100,000. A large construction site can afford many robots for data collection and reality capturing if they are available for less than $10,000. The robot must be able to operate autonomously and withstand the changing conditions on the construction site.
At least a robot such as Go2 can be used to assist in interior construction.
Go2: Features and Benefits
4D ultra-wide LIDAR
Go2 features Unitree’s self-developed 4D LIDAR L1 with 360degx90deghemispherical ultra-wide recognition, super small blind spot, and a minimum detection distance of 0.05m, enabling it to recognize different terrains.
Embodied AI and GPT power Go2
GPT allows Go2 to understand the user’s intent and surroundings. Go2 is able to make decisions using the information it receives from its sensor.
Hardware upgrades, remote control, high-performance motor with long endurance, and high-performance motor
The Go2 motor has a torque peak of 45N.m., which is 30% more than the previous model. The robot can move more smoothly and with greater flexibility thanks to a new internal trace connection technique. The battery capacity has been increased to 8,000mAh with an option of a 15,000mAh long-life battery. Go2 is equipped with a Wi-Fi 6 module and Bluetooth 5.2.
Software upgrades improve the robot’s understanding of you by incorporating your gait, posture, and offline interactions.
Go2 uses an advanced Operation and Control System that allows it to adapt better to different terrains. This includes going up and down the stairs, jumping, performing headstands and handshakes, and doing flips. Voice commands can be used to control the robots’ movements and functions even when the internet is not available.
Upgrades to the OTA, image transmission, force sensors, and
Go2 allows users to check their surroundings at any time and from anywhere. The app also allows users to view the sensor parameters for a better understanding of the robot’s status. It is equipped with a module that will enable it to control the robot from a distance of over the horizon. It also supports OTA updates. The robot automatically connects with UnitreeCloud and updates and optimizes the program via OTA service. This continuously improves user experience.
A charging pile, a high computing power module, and a robotic arm
The Go2 robot arm is able to perform grasping, lifting, and carrying actions. With the navigation LIDAR module, high computing power, and charging piles, Go2 can plan an independent inspection route, record images, and provide acoustic, visual, and audio alarms when it encounters anomalies. The Go2 is also capable of carrying a variety of high-performance attachments.
Make it all Work.
Robotic technology will evolve, resulting in lower prices and more intelligent, autonomous robots. As hardware is already at a high level, software development will be crucial to achieve this.
Naturally, you should be concerned with the cyber security of drones and robots. They connect data about buildings and installations that may be valuable to someone in the present or future.
We should be sure that data will not leak out to unauthorized individuals or organizations. Manufacturers and software developers need to be open and transparent on this issue. Security concerns will become an issue if not addressed.
In the near future, quadruped robots will be essential for automating data collection, inspections, and monitoring.