Waveshare UGV Rover (PT / ROS 2 kit) price & specs

Waveshare UGV Rover (PT / ROS 2 kit) (1)

Waveshare UGV Rover (PT / ROS 2 kit) (2)

Waveshare UGV Rover (PT / ROS 2 kit) (3)

$245 – $727

AvailablePython from a laptopJSON API from laptopPan-tilt camDrives on carpetAssembledLidar kit option

Possibly ≤ 1 weekShipping: ~1–2 weeks direct.

Remote control: From Python on a laptop, connect a python-socketio client to http://<pi>:5000 and emit JSON like {"T":1,"L":0.2,"R":0.2} on the json event. Read MJPEG frames from /video_feed. No ROS needed (ROS 2 runs on the Pi in Docker for later use).

LEARN MORE (UGV Rover) ↗

Overview

Top pick for a general-purpose dev rover. It is assembled, carpet-capable and scriptable from Python with plain JSON, with a lidar/depth upgrade path, and some kits arrive in days via Prime.

A solid, cheap, pre-assembled metal rover that handles carpet and thresholds far better than omni-wheel kits, and the ROS 2 kit adds lidar and depth for real mapping for under $750. Its stock web app already exposes a Socket.IO JSON API and an MJPEG stream, so scripting it from Python on another computer takes only a few dozen lines. It's fast and fairly loud on hard floors, it doesn't dock itself, and the 18650 cells are sold separately. No arm, and the docs are functional but rough.

Type: Wheeled robot · Ready-made dev rovers
Maker: Waveshare
Released: 2024
Price: $245 – $727
Status: Available
Best for: Ages 14+
Programming: Full SDK

Price and shipping

At Waveshare direct, AI kits are $245–487 (with/without Pi, pan-tilt). ROS 2 kit with D500 lidar + OAK-D Lite depth $534.99 without a Pi, $686.99 with a Pi 4B 4 GB, $726.99 with a Pi 5 4 GB (October 2026). Jetson Orin Nano ROS 2 kit $1,070.99, or $539.99 without the Jetson. Amazon listings vary ($293–614 for the pan-tilt Pi 5 kit). 3×18650 cells not included

Shipping: ~1–2 weeks direct. Waveshare's ROS 2 kits ship assembled with the lidar and OAK-D Lite fitted. Waveshare paused shipping for China's National Day holiday on October 1–4, 2026, resuming October 5, and ships by DHL or FedEx in about 3–8 working days plus duties. Waveshare ↗

Specifications

Category	Wheeled rovers · Ready-made dev rovers
Released	2024
Country	China
Availability	Available
Programmability	Full SDK
Built-in autonomy	Navigates · Goes to places on its own, such as mapped rooms, waypoints or its charging dock
LLM support	Official LLM tools · Waveshare's ROS 2 tutorials show web-based natural-language control through a local Ollama LLM generating JSON movement and navigation commands. Waveshare Wiki ↗
MuJoCo simulation	Maker URDF only · Waveshare's ugv_ws includes ugv_rover.urdf, not packaged for MuJoCo. ugv_ws ↗
NVIDIA Isaac simulation	Maker URDF only · Waveshare's ugv_ws includes ugv_rover.urdf, not packaged for Isaac. ugv_ws ↗
Gazebo simulation	Sim-to-real kit · Waveshare's ugv_gazebo package runs the same ROS 2 workspace with SLAM and Nav2 launches. ugv_ws ↗
Best for	Ages 14+ (estimated)
Vision sensors	Camera, Depth camera, Lidar
Actuators	DC / gear motors
Audio	Speaker, Microphone
Compute type	Raspberry Pi, Arduino / ESP32 / microcontroller, NVIDIA Jetson
Remote control	Python from a laptop
Size	23×25×26 cm, 2.2 kg
Drive	6-wheel / 4WD skid-steer, rubber tires, metal body
Compute	Raspberry Pi 5 (or 4B, Jetson variant exists) + ESP32 motor controller
Vision	5 MP 160° cam on pan-tilt, OAK-D Lite stereo depth in ROS 2 kit
Lidar	Optional D500 360° 2D (included in ROS 2 kit)
Sensors	9-axis IMU, battery monitor, speaker + mic, LEDs, GPIO
Runtime	About 1.5 h per the Waveshare wiki (3S 18650 UPS, the bare UGV02 chassis is rated 45 min at full power)
Speed	1.3 m/s
SDK	Open-source ugv_rpi (Python, Flask, OpenCV/MediaPipe), ESP32 JSON firmware, ROS 2 Humble with SLAM / Nav2

Common questions

How much does UGV Rover cost?

UGV Rover is listed at $245 – $727. At Waveshare direct, AI kits are $245–487 (with/without Pi, pan-tilt). ROS 2 kit with D500 lidar + OAK-D Lite depth $534.99 without a Pi, $686.99 with a Pi 4B 4 GB, $726.99 with a Pi 5 4 GB (October 2026). Jetson Orin Nano ROS 2 kit $1,070.99, or $539.99 without the Jetson. Amazon listings vary ($293–614 for the pan-tilt Pi 5 kit). 3×18650 cells not included.

Can UGV Rover be bought today?

Yes, it is on sale. Typical shipping time is ~1–2 weeks direct. Waveshare's ROS 2 kits ship assembled with the lidar and OAK-D Lite fitted. Waveshare paused shipping for China's National Day holiday on October 1–4, 2026, resuming October 5, and ships by DHL or FedEx in about 3–8 working days plus duties.

Who makes UGV Rover?

UGV Rover is made by Waveshare. It came out in 2024.

Can UGV Rover be programmed?

Full SDK. Open-source ugv_rpi (Python, Flask, OpenCV/MediaPipe), ESP32 JSON firmware, ROS 2 Humble with SLAM / Nav2.

Does UGV Rover have AI chat or LLM support?

Official LLM tools. Waveshare's ROS 2 tutorials show web-based natural-language control through a local Ollama LLM generating JSON movement and navigation commands.