Industrial quadruped route atlas · Canada
Short answerChoose Unitree B2 when the validated route rewards its lower listed mass, narrower standing width and legged movement through broken or constrained terrain. Choose the dedicated B2-W when long rolling segments are central to the mission and the site can accommodate its greater listed mass and width. Neither decision should come from maximum speed alone: verify the exact robot, payload, route, communications, supervision and acceptance criteria as one configured system.
Route topology decides the platform
How to read the numbers: Unitree says its published parameters can vary by configuration and application scenario. B2's more-than-6-metre-per-second figure and B2-W's 15-kilometre-per-hour and 25-kilometre endurance figures are identified as special-configuration results; practical speed is limited for safety. Treat every maximum as test evidence to investigate—not a promised Canadian field result.
01 · Separate the platforms
B2 with an optional wheeled foot is not a safe shorthand for B2-W
Unitree's B2 page lists an optional wheeled-foot form. Unitree also publishes B2-W as a separate product with its own standing dimensions, mass, wheel specifications, speed and endurance figures. A quotation should name the exact platform and foot or wheel configuration; the two labels should not be treated as interchangeable.
| Decision evidence | Unitree B2 | Unitree B2-W |
|---|---|---|
| Standing size | Approximately 1098 × 450 × 645 mm | Approximately 1098 × 550 × 758 mm |
| Total mass with battery | Approximately 60 kg | Approximately 85 kg |
| Published maximum speed | More than 6 m/s in a special configuration; practical operation is speed-limited for safety | 15 km/h in a special configuration; practical operation is speed-limited for safety |
| Published endurance examples | More than 5 hours and more than 20 km unloaded; more than 4 hours and more than 15 km with a 20 kg load | Approximately 30 km maximum unloaded mileage; 25 km maximum endurance with a 40 kg load in a special configuration |
| Published load | At least 120 kg standing; more than 40 kg continuous walking | 120 kg standing; more than 40 kg walking |
| Published stair and obstacle evidence | Continuous 20–25 cm stairs; forward travel up and down 40 cm stairs or obstacles | Continuous 20–25 cm stairs; forward travel up and down 40 cm stairs or obstacles |
| Published environment | IP67; listed operating temperature from -20°C to 55°C | IP67; listed operating temperature from -20°C to 55°C |
| Selection implication | Validate when lower listed mass, 100 mm less standing width and legged route access matter | Validate when long rolling distance is central and the route can accommodate the wider, heavier platform |
02 · Draw the route before choosing
Route geometry is the real comparison
A floorplan and a few photographs are not enough. Build a measured route atlas that records the narrowest clear opening, turn envelope, slope transition, stair geometry, loose or wet surface, overhead clearance, human crossings, network dead zones, inspection stops and recovery access.
Clear width and turns
The B2-W is listed 100 mm wider when standing. Measure doors, gates, pipe-rack lanes, railings and turning pockets with the installed payload and cable guards included. Unitree's product pages do not publish a site turning radius, so do not infer one from body width.
Surface sequence
Separate continuous rolling floor from stairs, grating, ballast, mud, curbs, snow, ice and abrupt transitions. Published obstacle demonstrations establish capability evidence, but they do not prove repeatability on a specific contaminated, damaged or Canadian winter surface.
Distance and stops
Count rolling distance, inspection dwell time, turns, accelerations and re-routing. B2-W's special-configuration mileage figures may justify a pilot on a long clear route, but loaded runtime must be tested with the real sensor, speed policy, surface and temperature.
Transport and recovery
The listed mass difference is approximately 25 kg. Verify vehicle loading, crate dimensions, dock or storage location, freight-elevator limits, number of trained handlers and a disabled-robot recovery method. A route is incomplete if the team cannot safely retrieve the robot from its worst location.
People and operations
Mark blind corners, shared aisles, public access, shift changes, alarms and vehicle interactions. Define supervised zones, permitted operating windows, speed zones, stop conditions and who has authority to pause the mission before any autonomous patrol is discussed.
03 · Quote the complete system
The payload can reverse the platform decision
A 20 kg sensor package is not just “20 kg.” Height, offset, vibration, startup current, heat, weather sealing and data bandwidth change how the complete robot behaves.
- Mass and balanceRecord every sensor, mast, enclosure, bracket, antenna, cable and tool. State the installed centre of gravity and retain dynamic margin for turns, stairs and stopping.
- Mechanical interfaceSpecify mount geometry, fasteners, vibration limits, collision envelope and access for service. Validate clearance in both normal posture and the most demanding route posture.
- PowerName voltage, continuous draw, startup surge, fuse protection, grounding, connector and how payload draw changes usable mission reserve.
- Compute and sensorsUnitree lists standard and optional computing that varies by configuration. The B2 page says its sensing package also varies. Require the quotation to name every computer, LiDAR, camera and accessible data stream; do not copy one platform's sensor list onto the other.
- Data interfacesThe B2 page publishes Ethernet, USB and power interfaces, while the B2-W product page does not present the same port table. Obtain a written interface and power map for the exact B2-W configuration instead of assuming parity.
- Environmental boundaryIP67 is a published robot rating. It does not automatically rate a third-party sensor, open connector, custom enclosure, cable gland or mount. Define the protection requirement for the assembled system.
- Software and communicationsUnitree Explore documents laser mapping, a custom road network and patrol/navigation functions. Unitree also says some functions require human operation or secondary development and configurations vary. Verify mapping, localization, remote supervision, logging and the communication-loss response on the actual site.
04 · Canadian deployment controls
Design for the site, the season and the failure state
Canadian deployment planning should include the actual indoor or outdoor operating season—not an average-day demonstration. Test cold-soak, wet transitions, tracked-in grit or salt, snow or ice where relevant, bright and low light, radio shadowing, protective clothing, shift traffic and emergency access under the owner's applicable workplace and site rules.
The official -20°C to 55°C operating range is a product specification, not proof that the loaded robot, battery reserve, traction, sensors, seals and network will meet a mission at either limit. Likewise, IP67 does not remove the need to inspect seals and protect the integrated payload.
Safety baseline: define access control, trained operator and spotter responsibilities, permitted speed by zone, a tested stop method, communication-loss behaviour, payload hazards, charging controls, pre-use inspection, incident logging and disabled-robot recovery. Do not use a manufacturer's maximum-speed result as an operating target.
05 · Prove the mission
A useful acceptance test has written pass/fail evidence
Set thresholds before the demonstration. Test the quoted robot and installed payload on the representative route; an unloaded showroom run cannot accept an inspection system.
- GeometryPass every required opening, turn, slope transition, stair and inspection pose without contact, unsafe clearance or route editing after the fact.
- SurfaceRepeat the agreed route on representative dry, wet, loose or winter-contaminated surfaces within the site's defined operating boundary.
- Loaded missionComplete the defined distance, dwell points and data capture with the installed payload, approved speed policy and required battery reserve.
- Data deliverableProduce the required images, thermal data, readings, map or alerts with agreed naming, timestamp, location, retention and export quality.
- CommunicationsMeasure coverage and latency along the route; demonstrate the approved response to weak signal, disconnection and reconnection without unsafe movement or data ambiguity.
- Stop and exclusionDemonstrate the specified stop method, zone controls and response to a person, vehicle or unexpected obstruction at representative locations.
- RecoveryRetrieve a disabled robot from the most difficult route location using the approved crew and equipment without improvisation.
- RecordCapture configuration, firmware, payload, route, conditions, operator, exceptions and results so a later change can trigger a controlled re-test.
Start with B2 validation when…
the route is constrained or discontinuous, the listed 60 kg mass and 450 mm standing width materially simplify access or recovery, and legged mobility matters more than sustained rolling distance.
Start with B2-W validation when…
the mission has long, repeatable rolling segments, the listed 85 kg mass and 550 mm standing width fit the transport and route envelope, and the special-configuration speed and endurance evidence is relevant enough to justify a site test.
Current Canadian product paths: review SpeedyDrone's Unitree B2 listing and Unitree B2-W listing. The live B2 collection and B2-W collection provide the current catalogue context.
Final model, sensors, computing, wheels or feet, payload interfaces, software access, communications, support and commercial terms must be confirmed in the quotation. This guide does not state a price, inventory position or lead time.
06 · Decision support
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Unitree B2 and B2-W?
B2 is the lighter and narrower legged platform in the published specifications, at approximately 60 kg and 450 mm standing width. B2-W is a dedicated wheeled model at approximately 85 kg and 550 mm standing width, with separate wheel, speed and endurance specifications. Choose by the measured route and configured mission, not by the model name alone.
Is the B2 optional wheeled-foot configuration the same as B2-W?
Do not assume they are the same. Unitree's B2 page lists an optional wheeled-foot form, while B2-W has a separate product page and its own dimensions, mass, wheel and endurance specifications. Require the quotation to identify the exact platform, feet or wheels and included components.
Which model is better for a long paved or indoor inspection route?
B2-W is the stronger candidate to validate when long rolling segments dominate and its width, mass, turns and transport needs fit the site. That is a selection hypothesis, not a guaranteed result. Test the real payload, route, speed policy, surface, temperature and required battery reserve.
Can Unitree B2-W climb stairs and 40 cm obstacles?
Unitree lists continuous travel on 20–25 cm stairs and forward travel up and down 40 cm stairs or obstacles for B2-W. These are manufacturer capability figures, not proof for every stair. Validate tread, rise, edge, width, landing, surface, approach, payload and recovery on the intended route.
Are Unitree's published speed and endurance figures guaranteed onsite?
No. Unitree identifies B2's more-than-6-metre-per-second figure and B2-W's 15-kilometre-per-hour and 25-kilometre figures as special-configuration results, says practical speed is limited for safety, and states that parameters vary by configuration and application scenario. Use loaded site testing and written acceptance thresholds.
Does the robot's IP67 rating cover an integrated inspection payload?
Not automatically. IP67 is published for the robot, but a third-party sensor, custom computer, connector, cable gland, enclosure or mount needs its own verified protection. Review the complete assembly and test the environmental conditions included in the operating plan.
Can B2 or B2-W autonomously patrol out of the box?
Unitree Explore documents laser mapping, a custom road network and patrol/navigation functions. Unitree also states that some functions require human operation or secondary development and that configurations vary. Confirm the exact sensors, compute, software, communications, supervision, safe-stop behaviour and site validation before describing a system as autonomous.
What should a Canadian B2 or B2-W assessment include?
Provide the measured route, surfaces, season and environment, installed payload and centre of gravity, sensor outputs, power and data interfaces, computing and software needs, communications coverage, human interaction, transport and recovery plan, operating rules and written acceptance criteria. The resulting quotation should name the exact configuration and commercial terms.
Verification record
Sources checked July 31, 2026
- Unitree B2 official product page — dimensions, mass, payload, endurance, stairs, IP rating, operating temperature, compute, sensors, interfaces and manufacturer limitations.
- Unitree B2-W official product page — dedicated wheeled-platform dimensions, mass, wheel specifications, speed, endurance, payload, stairs, IP rating, operating temperature, compute and manufacturer limitations.
- Unitree Explore and B2/B2-W support hub — laser mapping, custom road network, patrol/navigation description, manuals and wheeled-foot tutorials.
- SpeedyDrone Unitree B2 listing and SpeedyDrone Unitree B2-W listing — Canadian product and quotation paths checked live.
Turn the inspection route into a configuration brief
Send SpeedyDrone the route measurements, environment and season, payload and sensors, power and data needs, communications plan, supervision model, transport and recovery constraints, and written acceptance criteria. The assessment can then compare the exact B2 and B2-W configurations without guessing at price, availability or field performance.
Request a B2/B2-W Route and Configuration Assessment
