A quadruped transport robot is worth considering above all when the required operating route includes stairs or obstacles that a suitable wheeled solution cannot handle. The key factors are the approved payload, including any attachments, a safe handover and a test of the entire route. For suitable level routes, consider wheeled robots too, and conveyor systems for permanently fixed routes.
If small items need to be transported up or down stairs or over obstacles, test the loaded configuration on the actual route. A stated maximum step height alone does not prove that the robot can transport items safely there; Unitree Robotics and Boston Dynamics, for example, document relevant limitations.
If equipment is transported between employees, plan the container, mounting, removal and encounters along the route together. PUDU Robotics lists delivery boxes as a possible configuration, but that alone does not demonstrate that a handover has been tested at your workplace.
Wheeled robots or a permanently planned conveyor route may also be suitable for regular journeys along appropriate indoor routes. Mobile Industrial Robots describes the MiR250 as being for internal transport, while Interroll describes the RM 8310 as a stationary roller conveyor module.
Start by defining the route that must be covered. You can then assess payload, handover and the right transport technology for your specific working environment.
| Requirement | What to check before buying | Who needs to consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Route accessibility | Test the intended load and configuration on the actual route, including narrow spaces, steps and areas where people may cross paths. | If our required route includes stairs or obstacles, we need proof that the robot can travel it with its configuration loaded. Around 33% of buyers put this challenging route first. |
| Payload and configuration | Add together the goods, box, mount and any other equipment. Check the attachment, centre of gravity and how the robot performs in the specific configuration. | If we need to move equipment in a particular configuration, the permitted payload while moving matters more than the static load. Around 27% of buyers prioritise payload and configuration. |
| Handover and operation | Define handover points, responsibilities, and stop and restart procedures for the planned integration. | If employees take over loads or work near the robot, an agreed procedure is important. Around 20% of buyers focus on handover and operational safety. |
| Suitable transport technology | Compare fixed and changing destinations, floor surfaces, charging and maintenance procedures, and the integration required for the possible routes. | If our routine routes are level and repeated, we do not want to pay for legs unless there is a specific need. Around 20% of buyers focus above all on finding a suitable solution for straightforward routine routes. |
A load rating for when the robot is stationary is not the same as its payload while moving. Unitree Robotics gives the A2 a static load of around 100 kg and a continuous walking payload of around 25 kg; Boston Dynamics limits Spot's total mounted payload to 14 kg.
Use the rating for movement when comparing models, and have the specific configuration, including attachments, assessed.
An unsuitable configuration, or one that needs to be redesigned, can add to integration costs.
PUDU Robotics lists a delivery box as one possible D5 configuration. However, accessories and the equipment supplied may differ from what is shown in product images; the box alone does not confirm that the process will be safe in your workplace.
Ask for confirmation of the exact box, closure, items included and loaded handover process for the version you are ordering.
Mounting, the handover point and workplace integration may require additional planning.
A wheeled robot may be an alternative for suitable indoor routes; a documented MiR250 installation uses a lift to travel between floors. A stationary conveyor module is another option for fixed transport routes.
Define the required route and handover points, then compare quadruped, wheeled and, where appropriate, stationary solutions.
The D5 series is a quadruped platform for which PUDU lists, among other options, a metal delivery box as a possible configuration.
The A2 and B2 are quadruped platforms for which Unitree specifies different walking payloads.
Spot is a quadruped platform that can be equipped with modular accessories; its documentation sets limits for accessories and configurations.
The MiR250 is a wheeled alternative for internal transport on suitable indoor routes.
The RM 8310 is a stationary roller conveyor module for unit loads on a permanently planned conveyor route.
No. It does not replace the employer's risk assessment. Section 3 of the BetrSichV requires risks to be assessed before use; the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal Office of Justice explicitly state that CE marking does not replace this duty. You should also check the documentation relevant to the specific machine configuration.
According to the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), until and including 19 January 2027, machinery must continue to be placed on the market in accordance with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 generally applies to the placing on the market of machinery from 20 January 2027. The applicable framework therefore also depends on the timing and the specific circumstances in which the machinery is made available.
Before using work equipment, employees must receive task-specific instruction based on the risk assessment. Section 12 of the BetrSichV also covers information about hazards, malfunctions and emergencies, as well as operating instructions; training must be repeated regularly.
No. A manufacturer's stated maximum step height does not automatically mean the specific route is suitable. Test steps, payload, attachments, centre of gravity and encounters along the actual route, using the intended configuration.
For the selected configuration, clarify responsibility for maintenance, spare parts, training requirements, and stop and restart procedures. Boston Dynamics documents a software E-stop integration for Spot that depends on the software version and offers an extended service package; this does not mean that other suppliers offer the same level of service.