A2 vs R1: Specs, Price & ROS Support Compared (2026)
AgiBot (Zhiyuan Robotics) vs Unitree Robotics — independent, side-by-side analysis.
Quick Verdict
A2 leads in more DOF, longer runtime, faster speed, while R1 leads in lower price. Overall, A2 has an edge in 3 out of 4 compared categories.
A2
AgiBot (Zhiyuan Robotics)
R1
Unitree Robotics
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A2 R1
Specifications
$100,000Price$4,900
169 cmHeight122 cm
69 kgWeight25 kg
40DOF20
15 kgPayload—
2hRuntime1h
3.3 m/sSpeed2.5 m/s
YesStairsYes
YesLiDARNo
200 TOPSCompute8-core CPU; NVIDIA Jetson Orin (EDU)
Task Capabilities
✓Pick up a box from shelf?
✓Open a door handle?
✓Pour liquid into cup?
◔Use a power tool?
◔Type on keyboard?
✓Climb stairs with load?
◔Walk on uneven terrain?
✓Run (>3 m/s)?
◔Crouch under obstacle?
✓Navigate in crowd?
✓Recognize & locate objects?
✓Respond to voice commands?
✓Detect humans nearby?
✕Work 8-hour shift?
?Hot-swap battery?
◔Operate 24/7 (with charging)?
✕Work in rain (IP65+)?
✕Work below 0°C?
✕Work in dusty environment?
✓Work safely alongside humans?
Ecosystem Openness
60
A2
/100
72
R1
AimRT framework (ROS2/gRPC/MQTT). Chinese docs primarily.
ROS2 support, newer platform — ecosystem growing.
Pros and cons at a glance
A2
Pros
- Shipping to customers (verified commercial availability)
- Ships with LiDAR for robust depth sensing in low-light environments
- 40 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Short runtime (120 min) — frequent recharging or battery swaps
R1
Pros
- Shipping to customers (verified commercial availability)
- Affordable at $4,900 — accessible to research labs and SMEs
Cons
- Short runtime (60 min) — frequent recharging or battery swaps
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper: A2 or R1?
R1 is cheaper at $4,900 vs $100,000 for A2. Note that lower price does not imply lower total cost of ownership — see the TCO calculator on the Explore page for utilisation-adjusted figures.
Are both A2 and R1 shipping to customers?
Yes. Both are commercially available as of the last review. Delivery timelines and customer geographies vary per vendor — check the manufacturer page for each.
Does A2 or R1 use LiDAR?
A2 ships with LiDAR for depth sensing; R1 does not. LiDAR adds cost and complexity but improves obstacle detection in low-light or low-contrast environments.
Last updated: 2026