Overview
The robot that taught a generation ROS: a Kobuki vacuum-style base, a Kinect-class depth camera and a laptop on stacked plates. It followed the iRobot Create-based TurtleBot 1 (2010–2011) and was succeeded by TurtleBot 3 and 4. Kobuki bases are still found in labs and on the used market, but ROS 1 is end-of-life.
- Type
- Wheeled robot · Ready-made dev rovers
- Maker
- Yujin Robot (South Korea) / Willow Garage / Clearpath
- Released
- 2012
- Price
- Was $1,599 (2012)
- Status
- Discontinued · used/leftover only
- Best for
- Ages 16+
- Programming
- Open source (hardware + software)
Price and shipping
Clearpath's complete pre-assembled package at launch. Price varied by reseller and laptop/3D-camera bundle.
Shipping: Used only. Out of production. University surplus and eBay are the realistic sources.
Specifications
| Category | Wheeled rovers · Ready-made dev rovers |
|---|---|
| Released | 2012 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Availability | Discontinued · used/leftover only |
| Sales | Over 16,000 across all TurtleBot versions (1, 2 and 3) by May 2022 (estimate) Clearpath Robotics ↗ |
| Programmability | Open source (hardware + software) |
| Built-in autonomy | Navigates · Goes to places on its own, such as mapped rooms, waypoints or its charging dock |
| LLM support | Possible via SDK · No built-in LLM. Its SDK lets software on a computer control it. |
| MuJoCo simulation | Maker URDF only · Official Kobuki/TurtleBot ROS 1 URDFs exist, not packaged for MuJoCo. turtlebot (description) ↗ |
| NVIDIA Isaac simulation | Maker URDF only · Official Kobuki/TurtleBot ROS 1 URDFs exist, not packaged for Isaac. turtlebot (description) ↗ |
| Gazebo simulation | Official model · Official ROS 1 turtlebot_simulator launches TurtleBot 2 in Gazebo Classic. Unmaintained since 2020. turtlebot_simulator ↗ |
| Best for | Ages 16+ (estimated) |
| Vision sensors | Depth camera, Camera |
| Actuators | DC / gear motors |
| Audio | No audio |
| Compute type | Laptop / PC as the brain |
| Remote control | Via SSH / web / bridge |
| Size | 35.4 × 35.4 × 42 cm, 6.3 kg, 5 kg payload, 0.65 m/s max |
| Drive | 2-wheel differential (Kobuki base) |
| Compute | Laptop or netbook carried on the robot |
| Vision | Microsoft Kinect or ASUS Xtion (later Orbbec Astra) RGB-D camera |
| Lidar | None standard |
| Sensors | Bumpers, cliff and wheel-drop sensors, gyro, encoders |
| Runtime | 3–7 h (Kobuki, battery dependent) |
| Speed | 0.7 m/s max (Kobuki) |
| SDK | ROS 1 (Kobuki and TurtleBot stacks) |
Common questions
How much does TurtleBot 2 cost?
It sold for $1,599 (2012). Clearpath's complete pre-assembled package at launch. Price varied by reseller and laptop/3D-camera bundle.
Can TurtleBot 2 be bought today?
It is discontinued, though used or leftover units still turn up. Out of production. University surplus and eBay are the realistic sources.
Who makes TurtleBot 2?
TurtleBot 2 is made by Yujin Robot (South Korea) / Willow Garage / Clearpath. It came out in 2012.
Can TurtleBot 2 be programmed?
Open source (hardware + software). ROS 1 (Kobuki and TurtleBot stacks).
Does TurtleBot 2 have AI chat or LLM support?
Possible via SDK. No built-in LLM. Its SDK lets software on a computer control it.
What age is TurtleBot 2 for?
Ages 16+ (estimated).
Ratings & reviews
Ratings and reviews load on the live site.
Related guides
- ROS 2 Guide · the software framework many robots use
- Robot Vision and Depth Sensors · cameras, lidar and other distance sensors
- Raspberry Pi Guide · every Pi compared for robot use
MARS (Builders Edition)
UGV Rover (PT / ROS 2 kit)
UGV Beast (tracked)
TurtleBot 4 / 4 Lite
MentorPi M1
ROSMASTER X3