Overview
A lightweight, force-controlled arm built from Unitree's quadruped actuators, designed to also mount on mobile platforms such as Unitree's robot dogs. Unitree notes low joint stiffness under pure position control, so tuning matters. Positioned between hobby arms and full cobots in price.
- Type
- Robot arm · Research & collaborative arms
- Maker
- Unitree Robotics (China)
- Released
- 2022
- Price
- $15,999 (Z1 Pro)
- Status
- Available
- Best for
- Professionals & labs
- Programming
- Full SDK
Price and shipping
Unitree online shop price for the Z1 Pro. Z1 Air pricing by quote.
Shipping: Varies. Sold through Unitree's online shop and US resellers. Stock and lead times vary. Unitree shop ↗
Specifications
| Category | Robot arms · Research & collaborative arms |
|---|---|
| Released | 2022 |
| Country | China |
| Availability | Available |
| Programmability | Full SDK |
| Built-in autonomy | None / scripted · Moves only when controlled, or plays preset motions |
| LLM support | Possible via SDK · z1_sdk C++/Python and ROS over Ethernet, no built-in LLM. |
| MuJoCo simulation | Official model · In MuJoCo Menagerie (unitree_z1). MuJoCo Menagerie ↗ |
| NVIDIA Isaac simulation | Official model · In Isaac Sim's robot asset library (Unitree Z1). Isaac Sim manipulator assets ↗ |
| Gazebo simulation | Official model · Maker's unitree_ros has a Z1 description and Gazebo launch file. unitree_ros ↗ |
| Best for | Professionals & labs |
| Vision sensors | No vision sensors |
| Actuators | Brushless / direct-drive motors |
| Audio | No audio |
| Compute type | Laptop / PC as the brain |
| Remote control | Python from a laptop |
| DOF | 6 (+ optional gripper) |
| Reach | 740 mm |
| Payload | 2 kg (Air), ≥3 kg (Pro) |
| Repeatability | ~0.1 mm |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (Air), 4.5 kg (Pro) |
| Controller | Joint controllers on the arm, user code on an external Ubuntu PC over Ethernet |
| Sensors | Joint encoders (15-bit) and joint torque estimation for force feedback and collision detection |
| SDK | z1_sdk (C++ with Python bindings), ROS, position + force control interface |
Common questions
How much does Unitree Z1 cost?
Unitree Z1 is listed at $15,999 (Z1 Pro). Unitree online shop price for the Z1 Pro. Z1 Air pricing by quote.
Can Unitree Z1 be bought today?
Yes, it is on sale. Sold through Unitree's online shop and US resellers. Stock and lead times vary.
Who makes Unitree Z1?
Unitree Z1 is made by Unitree Robotics (China). It came out in 2022.
Can Unitree Z1 be programmed?
Full SDK. z1_sdk (C++ with Python bindings), ROS, position + force control interface.
Does Unitree Z1 have AI chat or LLM support?
Possible via SDK. z1_sdk C++/Python and ROS over Ethernet, no built-in LLM.
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
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