Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 Review: Specs, Price and Uses of the 230 g 3D LiDAR
Updated: 7 days ago
The Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 is a 3D LiDAR sensor with a 360° × 96° field of view, a range of 30 m and 64,000 effective points per second, listed at USD 419 by the manufacturer. This review covers its specifications, design, software support, uses and price.
Quick Verdict
The L2 is the sensor that gives Unitree's Go2 robot its view of the world, sold separately at a price far below that of most 3D LiDARs. It covers a hemisphere around itself, sees objects from 5 cm to 30 m, weighs 230 g and draws about 10 W, so it suits small mobile robots. It comes with support for ROS1, ROS2 and Windows and open-source mapping software. Its accuracy of about 2 cm is enough for navigation and obstacle avoidance but not for measurement, and its circumferential scan rate of 5.55 Hz is modest.
Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 at a Glance
Field of view: 360° × 96°
Range: 30 m at 90% reflectivity, 15 m at 10%
Points per second: 64,000 effective
Accuracy: 2.0 cm or better
Weight: 230 g
Price: USD 419
Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 Technical Specifications
The table below lists the published specifications of the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2.
Specification | Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 |
Manufacturer | Unitree Robotics |
Model | 4D LiDAR L2 |
Field of view | 360° × 90°, extended to 96° in negative angle mode |
Range | 30 m at 90% reflectivity; 15 m at 10% reflectivity |
Near blind zone | 0.05 m |
Sampling rate | 128,000 points per second |
Effective rate | 64,000 points per second |
Scan frequency | 5.55 Hz circumferential, adjustable; 216 Hz vertical |
Accuracy | 2.0 cm or better |
Distance resolution | 4.5 mm |
Size | 75 × 75 × 65 mm |
Weight | 230 g |
Power | 10 W typical, up to 13 W when self-heating |
Interfaces | Ethernet UDP and TTL UART |
Price | USD 419 |
Detailed Technical Data
Built-in inertial unit with 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope
Class 1 eye-safe laser, IEC 60825-1:2014
Self-heating between -10 °C and 30 °C
Resistant to strong ambient light; for indoor and outdoor use
Software support for ROS1, ROS2 and Windows, with SDK and open-source SLAM
Design and Build Quality
The L2 is a cube-like unit of 75 × 75 × 65 mm that weighs 230 g. Unlike a conventional spinning LiDAR that sees a thin band around itself, it scans a full hemisphere, so a single unit mounted on top or at the front of a robot sees the floor close by as well as the surroundings. The near blind zone is only 5 cm, which matters for a robot moving among obstacles. A built-in inertial unit supplies motion data for mapping. Compared with the earlier L1 it adds an Ethernet interface and triples the effective point rate, at a somewhat higher power draw.
Software and Integration
ROS and SDK
Unitree provides an SDK and support for ROS1, ROS2 and Windows.
Mapping
Open-source SLAM solutions are available, so the sensor can be used for mapping and localization without writing the algorithms from scratch.
Interfaces
Data is delivered over Ethernet UDP or TTL UART.
Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 Uses
The L2 is used for navigation, obstacle avoidance and mapping on small robots.
Mobile Robots
Low weight and power make it suitable for quadruped robots, small wheeled robots and research platforms.
Mapping and SLAM
The hemispherical field of view and inertial unit support 3D mapping of rooms and outdoor areas.
Education and Research
The price puts 3D LiDAR within reach of student and laboratory projects.
Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 Price and Value
The Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 is listed at USD 419 in the manufacturer's shop, with free shipping and excluding duties. It was shown as backordered when this review was written. The earlier L1 starts at USD 249. Prices are indicative, are not final and may change.
For the company behind the product, read the Unitree Robotics Company Profile: History, Products, Stock Listing and Controversies.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Hemispherical 360° × 96° field of view
Very low price for a 3D LiDAR
230 g and about 10 W
5 cm near blind zone
ROS1 and ROS2 support with open-source SLAM
Cons
Accuracy of about 2 cm
5.55 Hz circumferential scan rate
15 m range on dark surfaces
No protection rating published
Backordered at the time of writing
Who Should Buy the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2?
The L2 fits developers, students and builders of small mobile robots who need 3D perception for navigation at low cost.
Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 FAQ
How much does the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 cost?
It is listed at USD 419 in the manufacturer's shop, excluding duties. The price is indicative and may change.
What is the range of the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2?
30 m at 90% reflectivity and 15 m at 10% reflectivity, with a near blind zone of 0.05 m.
What is the field of view of the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2?
360° × 96°.
How many points per second does the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 produce?
128,000 sampled and 64,000 effective points per second.
How accurate is the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2?
Its measurement accuracy is 2.0 cm or better.
How much does the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 weigh?
230 g, in a housing of 75 × 75 × 65 mm.
Does the Unitree 4D LiDAR L2 work with ROS?
Yes. It supports ROS1, ROS2 and Windows.
What is the difference between the Unitree L1 and L2?
The L2 has 64,000 effective points per second against 21,600 for the L1, adds an Ethernet interface and has a 96° vertical field of view.
Specifications and prices are based on manufacturer information. Prices are indicative, are not final and may change.
