Unitree Z1 Air Robot Arm (Z1-AIR)

Most robot arms ask you to build your machine around them. The Unitree Z1 Air Robot Arm (Z1-AIR) asks the opposite: it is meant to be carried by a mobile robot, set on a lab bench or fitted into a logistics cell, and then taught new tricks as the work changes. Its end tool can be swapped quickly, its programme and control interfaces are being opened step by step, and it runs on a plain 24V supply. For teams that want to experiment without committing to a heavy industrial cell, that is a refreshing starting point.

The product is available through this page, by quotation.

Background

Unitree Robotics and its road to the arm

Unitree Robotics is best known for legged robots, and its name comes up wherever researchers, universities and developers look for capable, approachable hardware. A walking robot can cross a campus or a warehouse floor, but it still needs a hand if it is to open a door, move a parcel or press a button. The company's arm family grew out of that need, and the Z1 line is its answer for manipulation. You can browse the wider range in the Unitree Arms category, and quadruped owners will also find relevant hardware under Quadruped Accessories.

The Z1 line comes in two named versions, Z1 Air and Z1 Pro. This page covers the Z1 Air. The Pro version has its own page, Unitree Z1 Pro Robot Arm (Z1-Pro), and the figures given here belong to the Air version only.

Positioning and key technology

The Z1 Air is a six-axis arm built for open integration. It has an open programme interface and an expansion interface, suited to on-board arms for all kinds of mobile robots, to e-commerce logistics, to new consumption settings and to daily life. The manipulator control program and control interface are being opened successively, and different actuators can be changed quickly at the end of the manipulator.

Inside, each joint is driven by a motor with a harmonic reducer and a 15bit encoder. The arm is controlled at a frequency of 1KHz and offers position and force control, so it can be told not only where to go but also how firmly to push. The user operating system is Ubuntu, and the connection is by Ethernet.

Technical Specifications

Specifications as published by the manufacturer; confirmed against the datasheet at quotation.

The manufacturer has not published the dimensions of the arm, the IP rating, the operating temperature, the SDK and ROS details, the contents of the box or the maximum end-effector speed; they are confirmed at quotation.

What makes the Z1 Air a good arm for a mobile robot?

Weight is the first answer. At 4.3kg, the arm is light enough to be treated as an accessory rather than a fixture, which matters when every kilogram on a mobile base affects battery use and balance. With a reach of 740mm it can cover a useful working area in front of the robot, and with repeatability of ～0.1mm it can return to a point again and again with care.

The second answer is the supply. A 24V input with current above 20A and a maximum power of 500w is a common arrangement in mobile robots, so the arm does not need an exotic power setup. Ethernet gives a simple wired link to the host computer, and Ubuntu as the user operating system gives developers a familiar place to work.

The third answer is the control side. Position and force control, running at 1KHz, lets the arm do more than follow a path. It can respond to contact, which is what separates a careful hand from a blunt tool when handling objects of uncertain shape.

How does the Z1 Air differ from the Z1 Pro?

Both versions are six-axis arms with the same reach and repeatability. The Pro is listed with a higher payload than the 2kg of the Air, so buyers who expect heavier tools or loads should look at the Z1 Pro first. The Air suits those whose tools and objects stay light and who value the lower weight of the arm. If you also need a gripper, the Unitree Z1 Pro Robot Arm with Z1 Gripper bundles one with the Pro version. Each version is best compared on its own numbers.

Who is the Unitree Z1 Air Robot Arm (Z1-AIR) for?

University labs and research groups are the clearest fit. They tend to want an arm that can be mounted on a legged or wheeled robot, driven from Ubuntu and extended with their own tools, and the open interfaces and quick-change end actuators serve that style of work.

Integrators building logistics and handling cells for e-commerce will find a compact arm with force control useful for light picking and placing tasks. Developers working on new consumption concepts, such as automated service points, can use it as a prototype manipulator before deciding on a final design.

Educators can use it to teach kinematics, control and robot programming on real hardware that sits comfortably on a table. Where the work needs more payload than the Air offers, the Z1 Pro is the better path, and where the need is teleoperation rather than programming, the Unitree D1-T Teleoperation Robot Arm is worth a look.

What is the Unitree Z1 Air Robot Arm (Z1-AIR) used for?

1. Mobile robot manipulation. Mount the arm on a mobile platform so the robot can reach, grasp and move objects instead of only travelling.
2. E-commerce logistics. Prototype light handling and sorting tasks in picking and packing workflows.
3. Research and algorithm development. Test position and force control strategies on a real six-axis arm running Ubuntu.
4. Teaching and training. Give students hands-on experience with kinematics, joint control and robot programming.
5. Tool-change experiments. Use the quick-change end actuators to compare different tools on the same arm.
6. Daily-life and service concepts. Build and test new consumption and everyday assistance ideas that need a small, careful arm.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing is arranged by quotation, since the right package depends on your project, your quantity and the accessories you need. Send us your requirements and we will respond with a quotation. Delivery, customs and support are arranged with the quotation, so you know the full picture before you commit. The Unitree Z1 Air Robot Arm (Z1-AIR) is available on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many axes does the Z1 Air have?

The Z1 Air is a 6 Axis arm. Joint 1 turns ±150°, joint 2 moves 0-180°, joint 4 ±80°, joint 5 ±85° and joint 6 ±160°, each with a maximum speed of 180°/s.

What payload and reach does it offer?

The Z1 Air carries 2kg and has a reach of 740mm. Repeatability is ～0.1mm.

What power does it need?

The power supply is 24V with current above 20A, and the maximum power is 500w.

How do I connect to and program the arm?

The interface is Ethernet and the user operating system is Ubuntu. The arm has an open programme interface and expansion interface, and the control program and control interface are being opened successively.

Can I change the tool at the end of the arm?

Yes, different actuators can be quickly replaced at the end of the manipulator. The arm supports position and force control at a control frequency of 1KHz.

Is the arm dust and water resistant?

No IP rating is stated for this arm, so we cannot give one here. Ask us when you request your quotation.

Where can I buy the Unitree Z1 Air Robot Arm (Z1-AIR) and what does it cost?

You can buy it through this page by requesting a quotation. The cost depends on your quantity, accessories and delivery needs, so it is given in the quotation rather than listed here.

Summary

The Unitree Z1 Air Robot Arm (Z1-AIR) is an arm that adapts to your robot rather than the other way round. Its low weight, 740mm reach, ～0.1mm repeatability, force control and quick-change end actuators make it a practical hand for mobile robots, labs and light logistics work, while the Pro version stands by for heavier needs. To see how it fits your project, this page is the starting point.