Chinese robotics powerhouse Unitree just dropped the Unitree As2, a robotic dog that’s about to change how we see intelligent machines. Not to be mistaken for its now-clumsy-looking predecessors, this new quadruped is built differently, blending raw power with serious brainpower.
Weighing around 18kg, the As2 boasts an insane maximum joint torque of 90 N·m, letting it sprint at over 5 meters per second (that’s 11 mph). It’s not just fast… This machine can haul too, carrying up to 15kg while walking and a massive 65kg when standing still. So yes, we know what you’re thinking, you can indeed potentially ride it like a skateboard.
But agility isn’t its only flex. The As2 packs a 648Wh battery, giving it over 4 hours of playtime unloaded or a solid 2.5 hours even with a 15kg load, covering more than 13km. Rain or shine, hot or cold (from -20°C to 50°C), its IP54 rating means it handles the elements like a Marine. Stairs? Slopes? Vertical platforms up to half a meter? Not a problem for this mechanical marvel.
What truly makes the As2 next-level is its brain. Equipped with an 8-core CPU and an ISS 3.0 Intelligent Follow System, it tracks you with centimeter-level precision. Plus, its open platform invites developers to mess around with large AI models (perhaps a scary thought), turning the As2 into a canvas for embodied AI and autonomous decision-making. However it’s tinkered with, the release of the Unitree As2 serves as a peek into the future, blending industrial-grade capability with a dynamic performance that’s got us hyped for what’s next in robotics. In the meantime, check out the Unitree As2 in action below (the part where it’s running down the rocky mountain looks like something straight out of a nightmare, btw…).
Cover image via Unitree.
