For supervised robotics teaching, you need a platform that’s straightforward to operate and programme, with training and support clearly arranged. In university labs, the choice depends more on how much access projects need to control systems, sensors and simulation. More advanced experiments also require greater planning for supervision, training and day-to-day operation.
If learners are going to control and programme a mobile robot, teaching teams need manageable exercises, clear operating roles and an induction. The DLR_School_Lab at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg provides an example of supervised use, with pupils guiding a robot dog through an obstacle course using a remote control or tablet.
To carry out their own work on movement, sensors or navigation, university teams need access to the relevant interfaces and development tools. The documentation from Unitree Robotics and ANYbotics describes these capabilities for their respective platforms. The features available to a particular project depend on the platform and its configuration.
If you’ll be using a platform across several courses or projects, agree on training, maintenance, repairs and responsibilities before you buy. Terra Robotics lists various procurement and support options for its Go2-EDU offering. The exact scope should be set out in your agreement with the supplier.
Start with the planned exercises or research tasks. These will determine the development access, safety arrangements and ongoing support you need.
| Requirement | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Development access | Confirm the SDK version, access to movement controls and sensor data, and support for the development environment you need on the version being offered. | If we want to develop our own control or navigation tasks, an operating app alone won’t be enough. For around 33 % of consumers, documented development access is a priority. |
| Supervised operation | Make sure the operating area, user roles, stop procedure and training are appropriate for the device and exercise. | When learners are taking part, I need to be able to stop the robot and organise supervision clearly. Around 27 % of consumers put safe, supervised operation first. |
| Research access | Check access to the control and sensor levels you need, along with simulation tools and usage rights. | If we want to investigate our own approaches to locomotion or perception, I need more than ready-made driving functions. This level of research access is the top priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Procurement and support | Set out the included hardware, training, support, maintenance and delivery date in writing. | If several courses depend on the device, I need to plan support and arrangements for downtime in advance. That’s why around 20 % of consumers prioritise reliable ongoing support. |
Unitree Robotics describes different Go2 variants and configurations. So, documentation of an interface for Go2 doesn’t by itself confirm that the version on offer includes the access and hardware needed for a teaching project.
Make sure the quotation and acceptance documents specify the model, configuration, sensors, computing unit, controller, batteries and development rights.
A computing unit or extra sensor package needed later could mean additional integration work.
A mobile robot affects the space you need and how you run each exercise. Under Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must assess risks to employees arising from their work. This does not amount to a blanket legal ruling on all pupils.
Before first use, plan a suitable test area, supervision roles, a stop procedure and training. For school lessons, the school leadership and local authority should check the local requirements for learners.
If you need to adapt the room after the fact, planned teaching activities may have to be put on hold.
Terra Robotics lists training, support and maintenance options for its Go2-EDU offering. Which services apply to an organisation depends on the specific agreement, not simply on their being mentioned on a product page.
Be sure to agree on responsibilities, the scope of training, maintenance, repair arrangements and any accessories you’ll need.
If an induction hasn’t been arranged, the team will need to set aside time to get up to speed before use.
Go2 Pro, Go2 X and Go2 EDU are different model names. Similar names don’t mean the EDU configuration or development access is the same.
Before placing an order, compare the full model name, the hardware you need and the interfaces promised against your project requirements.
For its Go2 platform, Unitree Robotics documents development access for areas including movement control, LiDAR, SLAM, odometry and ROS2. In Germany, Terra Robotics offers a Go2-EDU variant with various procurement and support options.
Boston Dynamics documents a Python SDK for Spot, covering robot and autonomy services as well as topics such as E-Stop, GraphNav and joint control.
ANYbotics describes ANYmal Research as a research platform with ROS-related interfaces, control software and simulation.
For use by employees, the employer must assess risks arising from their work and set out the necessary protective measures. This is set out in Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act. When planning for a mobile robot, you should consider its movement tasks, the space, the stop procedure and training in particular. The organisation should separately check which local requirements also apply to students.
The team should confirm the specific interfaces its teaching or research tasks require, including the SDK version, level of access, necessary hardware and usage rights. Unitree Robotics documents access to movement and sensor data for Go2, among other things; Boston Dynamics documents Python and autonomy services for Spot; and ANYbotics describes ROS-related access and simulation for ANYmal Research. The agreed configuration is what matters.
Make sure the quotation explicitly covers training, the support channel, maintenance, repair arrangements and responsibilities. Terra Robotics lists relevant options for Go2 EDU, but for teaching, what matters is which services the organisation actually agrees to and who will run the exercises and provide support.
If your project has a fixed start date, agree a confirmed delivery date rather than planning solely on the basis of a product listing. Terra Robotics’ terms and conditions state that product descriptions in its online shop are not binding offers. This applies to the supplier mentioned and does not replace checking the specific agreement.