Buying a robot dog: from toys to inspection robots

Very different devices are sold under the label “robot dog” – from €50 toys to industrial robots costing several hundred thousand dollars.

Three classes

• Toys and companions: simple motor skills, voice commands, tricks. Suitable for children if the battery and small parts are safe.
• Consumer and developer legged robots: genuine dynamic legged robots with sensors, such as the Unitree Go2 or Petoi Bittle.
• Industrial quadrupeds: for inspection, security and research, such as Boston Dynamics Spot, ANYbotics ANYmal or DEEP Robotics X30.

What to look for

• Stair climbing and off-road capability
• IP rating against dust and water
• SDK and programmability
• Data privacy: cameras, microphones and cloud connectivity
• For children: age recommendation, battery safety, a reputable retailer

Related robots

Image: Unitree Robotics

Unitree B2

Unitree Robotics · China · 2023 · Quadrupeds

• Height: 65 cm
• Weight: 60 kg
• Degrees of freedom (total): 12
• Runtime per charge: 5 hrs
• Industrial inspection, Energy, Emergency/rescue

AvailableLongest runtime

$100,000€69,020

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Data depth 83%

Unitree Go2

Unitree Robotics · China · 2023 · Quadrupeds

• Height: 40 cm
• Weight: 15 kg
• Degrees of freedom (total): 12
• Runtime per charge: 2 hrs
• Consumer/hobby, Education, Research

AvailableCheapestMost degrees of freedomBest data coverage

$1,600 – $32,299€2,618 – €21,450

View spec sheet Compare

Data depth 83%

Image: Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics Spot

Boston Dynamics · United States · 2020 · Quadrupeds

• Height: 61 cm
• Weight: 33.8 kg
• Runtime per charge: 1.5 hrs
• Payload: 14 kg
• Industrial inspection, Security/police (bomb disposal), Construction

Available

$75,000≈ converted €65,355

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Data depth 79%

ANYbotics ANYmal D

ANYbotics · Switzerland · 2021 · Quadrupeds

• Height: 70 cm
• Weight: 50 kg
• Runtime per charge: 1.5 hrs
• Payload: 10 kg
• Autonomous industrial inspection, Energy, Oil & gas

Available

Price on request

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Data depth 75%

DEEP Robotics Lite3

DEEP Robotics · China · 2022 · Quadrupeds

• Height: 50 cm
• Weight: 13.5 kg
• Degrees of freedom (total): 12
• Runtime per charge: 2 hrs
• Research, Education

Available

$2,890 – $18,270≈ converted €2,518

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Data depth 71%

Image: Unitree Robotics

Unitree A2

Unitree Robotics · China · 2025 · Quadrupeds

• Weight: 42 kg
• Runtime per charge: 5 hrs
• Payload: 25 kg
• Top speed: 13.3 km/h
• Inspection, Industry, Research

Available

$31,900 – $100,000≈ converted €27,798

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Data depth 71%