Overview

The Go1 launched in June 2021 and was the first consumer-grade robot dog available for purchase without a research budget. It has since been superseded by the Go2, though Unitree continues to list it on its own website. For the history of this category, it is the decisive model.

Construction

Folded up, the robot measures just under 59 by 22 by 29 centimeters and weighs twelve kilograms, so it can be carried by one person. Twelve joint motors with a maximum knee torque of 35.55 Newton-meters drive it; the thighs are made of aluminum and the joint motors from a silver alloy. Heat pipes sit at the knee for cooling. Depending on the version, it carries four to six kilograms of payload.

Technology and AI

At the core of the Go1 was the so-called Super Sensory System: The Air variant has a pair of fisheye stereo cameras, while the higher-end versions have five pairs positioned around head and torso, supplemented by ultrasound. This enabled the robot to follow its owner from the side, which Unitree marketed as Intelligent Side Follow. Computing power ranges depending on version from a single module up to two NVIDIA Nano plus one Nano or NX, totaling roughly 1.5 TFLOPS. The EDU version could be expanded with 2D or 3D radar and foot pressure sensors.

Market Significance

At 2700 US dollars for the Air version and 3500 for the Pro version, Unitree undercut everything that existed at the time by more than an order of magnitude. With this, the Go1 opened up the market that the Go2 serves today. Anyone wanting to understand the price development of this category cannot overlook this model.