Go2 Robot Dog Can Talk, Perform Handstands, and Take Pictures of Its Owner; Is This Super Intelligent Companion the Pet of the Future?

If your real-life pet is not as obedient as you'd expect it to be, then a Chinese company may have the ideal replacement for you.

Robotic Pooch as Human Companion

Go2 is created by Unitree Robotics, a company located in Hangzhou, China, which boasts its new creation as a revolution in the robotics industry. It is an updated version of its predecessor Go1 released in 2021 with an initial selling price of $2,700. The robotics line was named after the ancient Chinese board game Go which is known for its complexity.

The intelligent quadruped robot uses light reflection technology which allows it to navigate its way around different landscapes. Just like a real dog, it can display impressive capabilities such as dancing and performing handstand while wiggling its tail in the air to meet its owner. It also has the ability to play fetch, climb the stairs, play music from a built-in speaker and even capture photographs on command, to be sent to the owner's smartphone.

Unitree describes that Go2 is not only advanced in terms of its configuration and pleasing appearance, but it also demonstrates a variety of interactive functions which perfectly simulates the behavior of a real pet dog. The company further claims that their creation is an outstanding example of high-tech breakthrough in science and will be an indispensable component of intelligent life in the future. Unitree also expects that their product will transform the industry of consumer-grade quadruped robots.

Go2 resembles the Spot robot developed by the company's rival firm Boston Dynamics. However, it has been designed for customers at a price of $1,600.

What Is a Quadruped Robot?

Quadruped robot is one of the categories of legged robot, a type of mobile machine that uses articulated limbs for locomotion. They are usually created to demonstrate biomimicry where the functions of legged animals such as humans and insects are imitated.

When compared with wheeled robots, the legged robots are more versatile and has the ability to traverse various kinds of terrains. Such capabilities require more complex features and increased power consumption. Sometimes, they involve leg actuators for balance, sensors for foot placement, and planning algorithms for monitoring of direction and speed.

A quadruped robot maintains its locomotion at the center of gravity of the walker through static or dynamic support. To provide the static support, it must be ensured that the center of gravity is within the support pattern created as the legs are in contact with the ground. On the other hand, providing dynamic support is done by keeping the trajectory of the center of gravity in such a way that it is repositioned by forces given by one or more of its legs.

Aside from the imitation of real-life animals, quadruped robots can also perform various tasks that are previously not possible in traditional two-legged machines. Their four legs enable them to demonstrate superior stability, maneuverability, and speed. Because of this, the quadruped robots are ideal to be used in search-and-rescue operations, surveillance missions, delivery services, and other related functions.