Laikago

Name: Laikago
Brand: Unitree Robotics

Advanced Quadruped Robot for Research and Education

$45,000 – $65,000

Laikago is Unitree Robotics' first-generation quadruped robot designed for research, education, and industrial applications. With 12 degrees of freedom and advanced motor control, it delivers dynamic locomotion capabilities including walking, running, and stair climbing. The platform targets universities, research institutions, and developers seeking an affordable alternative to high-end quadruped systems.

Released: 2018

Overview

The Laikago quadruped robot represents Unitree Robotics' entry into the advanced legged robotics market, positioning itself as an accessible alternative to platforms like Boston Dynamics' Spot. Named after the famous Soviet space dog, Laikago combines robust mechanical design with sophisticated control algorithms to achieve dynamic locomotion capabilities that were previously only available in much more expensive systems.

Built around 12 high-torque brushless motors with custom planetary gearboxes, Laikago demonstrates impressive agility for its class. The robot can traverse rough terrain, climb stairs, recover from disturbances, and perform dynamic gaits including trotting and bounding. Its modular design philosophy allows researchers to customize and extend the platform with additional sensors and computing hardware.

Laikago has been widely adopted by universities and research institutions worldwide as a platform for studying legged locomotion, control theory, and autonomous navigation. Its combination of performance and relative affordability has made it a popular choice for labs that previously couldn't access high-end quadruped platforms.

Key Features

Dynamic locomotion: Multiple gaits including walking, trotting, and running at speeds up to 1.3 m/s
12 degrees of freedom: Three actuated joints per leg providing full mobility and agility
Custom motor design: High-torque brushless motors with planetary gearboxes for precise control
ROS integration: Native support for Robot Operating System enabling rapid development
Open SDK: Comprehensive software development kit for custom application development
Robust construction: Durable aluminum frame capable of withstanding research use and falls
Onboard computing: Integrated processors for real-time control and sensor processing
Modular payload: Mounting points for cameras, LiDAR, and other sensor packages

Applications

Laikago serves primarily as a research and educational platform for universities and institutions studying legged robotics, biomimetic locomotion, and autonomous systems. Academic labs use it to develop and test novel control algorithms, reinforcement learning approaches, and perception systems for navigating complex environments. Its relatively accessible price point has democratized access to quadruped robotics research that was previously limited to well-funded institutions.

Beyond academia, Laikago has found applications in industrial inspection scenarios where wheeled robots cannot navigate, such as rough outdoor terrain, construction sites, and facility monitoring. Some organizations have explored its use for search and rescue training, educational demonstrations, and as a development platform for testing autonomy software before deploying on more expensive robotic systems.

Technical Highlights

The core innovation of Laikago lies in its motor and control system architecture. Each of the 12 joints uses a custom-designed brushless motor with integrated planetary reduction, position sensors, and motor drivers. This highly integrated approach reduces weight and complexity while providing the torque density needed for dynamic movements. The motor control system operates at high frequencies, enabling responsive force and impedance control that gives Laikago its characteristic smooth and natural movement.

Laikago's control software implements model predictive control (MPC) and whole-body control algorithms that compute optimal joint trajectories in real-time. The system uses proprioceptive feedback from joint encoders and IMU data to maintain balance and adapt to terrain variations. This combination of hardware design and control sophistication allows Laikago to perform behaviors like autonomous recovery from pushes, adaptive stepping over obstacles, and stable operation on inclined and uneven surfaces.