For recurring practical sessions and in-house software projects, choose a specific robot variant based on its documented interfaces, software terms and permitted development rights. Buying, leasing and renting mainly differ in how long you can use the robot and what support is included. Before approving its use, also check that the safety documentation for the specific system covers your planned operating conditions.
You need repeatable practical sessions, documented interfaces and a development environment that learners are actually allowed to use. Projects at Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Technology and H.E.A.R.T. illustrate how robots are used in educational and higher education settings.
If you’re studying movement, perception or manipulation on a physical system, you need to plan the hardware variant, software access and laboratory arrangements together. Research using NAO at Bielefeld University also shows how humanoid robots can be used to explore interaction.
If your team only needs the platform for a specific project, consider the contract term, support and permitted software changes when choosing a solution. Compare rental and leasing options based on the details of each offer.
Buying, leasing and renting mainly differ in how long you can use the robot, what support is included and which changes the contract allows.
Best suited to: recurring practical sessions or longer-term experiments, provided the chosen variant offers the development access you need.
Things to weigh up: Owning the robot does not automatically clarify software usage rights, maintenance, training or safety checks for your planned use. ROBOTIS documents ROS Kinetic for OP3; this does not automatically mean it runs a current ROS 2 environment.
Best suited to: longer projects where agreed support is a better fit for your organisation than an outright purchase.
Things to weigh up: Terra Robotics specifies a minimum three-year term for its G1 EDU leasing option. Check the equipment, training, maintenance and development rights included in the specific offer.
Best suited to: a time-limited pilot or a single teaching session, provided a suitable model is available for the period you need it.
Things to weigh up: TONEART lists rental options for education and AI research that include operator staff. This does not guarantee SDK access or permission to install your own software.
| Requirement | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Development access | Check the SDK and permitted interfaces, supported software version, and written confirmation of installation and usage rights. Unitree explicitly distinguishes between G1 and G1 EDU. | If learners are expected to develop their own programmes or AI applications, the software access must suit the task. Around 33% of consumers put developing their own software first. |
| Safe laboratory operation | Check the documentation for the specific system, safety measures, supervision, training and maintenance responsibilities for your planned experimental setup. | If you plan to operate a robot with learners or researchers, you need clear procedures for setting it up and supervising its use. Around 27% of consumers prioritise safe operation. |
| Suitable experimental hardware | Match the size, joints, hands, sensor access and simulation options to your research question. Unitree lists between 23 and 43 degrees of freedom, depending on the G1 EDU version. | If your project investigates walking, grasping or perception, the specific configuration must suit these tasks. Around 20% of consumers look at the experimental hardware first. |
| Project term and support | Check the project term, maintenance, training, repairs, support and returns in writing for the specific purchase, leasing or rental offer. | For a term-time project or a team with limited support capacity, it matters how long you need the platform and what help is actually included in the agreement. Around 20% of consumers prioritise flexible procurement and support. |
Unitree states that the G1 sold in its own shop does not support secondary development and directs customers to the EDU version for customisation.
Before ordering, check the full model and variant name against the development rights confirmed in writing.
The wrong variant could prevent you from carrying out planned software projects.
Unitree lists different degrees of freedom depending on the G1 EDU version; the robot’s hands may also vary.
Make sure the offer specifies the configuration you need for your experiment in writing.
The selected offer may not include the hands or other configuration components you need.
The G1 EDU leasing option described by Terra Robotics has a minimum three-year term. TONEART’s rental description alone does not confirm rights to modify the software.
Make sure the term, maintenance, operating staff and permitted software changes are each expressly agreed.
The contract term and support arrangements may not match your project schedule or the expertise available to your team.
G1 EDU may suit research into movement and custom applications, provided the specific variant offers the access and components you need.
OP3 is a compact research and teaching platform for teams whose practical sessions are based on its documented hardware and software.
PAL Robotics describes TALOS as a large, bipedal, ROS-based research platform.
NAO features in documented university projects on education and human–robot interaction.
The following Joybuy offers cover humanoid platforms for AI, movement, perception and interaction projects. Before use, check the software development rights and safety documentation for the specific variant.
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The product description presents the platform as suitable for developing your own AI and robotics applications.
Listed in the product name: 22 DoF and 48 TOPS AI.
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The product description lists software APIs and development tools for programming and AI experiments.
Listed in the product name: 22 DoF and 117 TOPS AI.
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The Ultra version is described as offering secondary development features and autonomous navigation.
The product description lists 31 DoF, 3D LiDAR, an RGB-D camera and an Orin NX computing module. It also specifies a weight of around 37 kg and joint torque of up to 120 N·m, as well as supervised operation and a minimum distance of 2 m. These details do not replace an assessment of your specific experimental setup.
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The product description lists AI, robotics and human–machine interaction as potential applications.
Listed in the product name: 20 DoF, a monocular camera and an integrated AI language model. The safety information warns against operating it near stairs, edges and uneven surfaces, and highlights the risks posed by moving joints, water and high humidity.
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The product description lists development, education and AI voice interaction as potential applications.
This model is described as having 26 DoF, two binocular cameras and 3D depth sensors. The safety information warns you to keep clear of its sweep area when starting it or during fast movements, and specifies an emergency stop or physical kill switch for unexpected movements.
No. CE marking does not replace a review of the documentation and the planned use. The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health describes CE marking under the 9. ProdSV for machinery within its scope. The conformity and safety documentation for the specific system, along with the hazards associated with your experimental setup, must be assessed separately.
Check the manual for the supplied variant, as well as the setup, training and maintenance responsibilities. Unitree’s manual describes a safety frame for a suspended start. This start procedure is not general approval for other setups or rooms.
For employees, BAuA regulation TRBS 1116 sets out qualification and instruction requirements based on the risk assessment. For students and other participants, supervision and training should be decided according to the specific use scenario.
It depends on the contract. Terra Robotics lists technical support with its G1 EDU leasing option and offers a maintenance contract at extra cost; TONEART describes rental options for research and education that include operator staff. Ask for training, maintenance, software access, repairs and returns to be itemised separately in the specific offer.