How to choose a thermal or dual-spectrum gimbal for a robot dog or UGV

Selecting the appropriate thermal or dual-spectrum gimbal for a robot dog or unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) depends on the payload class and specific requirements for detection and temperature measurement.

First, consider the weight and power of the gimbal module. Micro thermal modules, such as Teledyne FLIR Lepton 3.5, InfiRay Tiny1-C, or GST TIMO256 weigh between 0.9-3.9 g and consume 0.09-0.24 W. They are suitable for small dogs and close-range detection. On the other hand, a robot-grade compact dual-spectrum gimbal, like Hikvision HM-TD5737T-4/W, weighs about 2 kg and draws 20 W. This is the default choice for popular robots like Go2 EDU, X30, Spot, and B2.

Radiometric mini PTZ gimbals, such as Hikvision DS-2TD5566T-15/V2, weigh around 4.5 kg and draw 18 W. These are ideal for B2-class robots or UGVs. Heavy-duty dual PTZ gimbals, like Dahua DH-TPC-PT8X20, are heavy at 18 kg and draw 70 W, making them suitable only for wheeled or tracked UGVs like the AgileX Hunter 2.0.

When choosing the thermal hardware, prioritize the robot's ability to carry it, then decide if temperature measurement or detection is needed. Bare thermal cores (under 100 g) are best for small dogs and fixed forward views. A robot-grade compact dual-spectrum gimbal (about 2 kg, 20 W) is the default for popular robots. A radiometric mini PTZ (about 4.5 kg) works well on B2-class robots or UGVs. Only a heavy-duty dual PTZ (about 18 kg, 70 W) is suitable for larger UGVs.

Lastly, consider whether you need radiometric (temperature-per-pixel) or imaging-only thermal cameras. Radiometric cameras provide temperature data for each pixel, which is crucial for specific applications like hot-spot detection or threshold-based alarms. However, they are more expensive and require additional software planning. Imaging-only thermal cameras, on the other hand, are cheaper and easier to integrate, making them suitable for detecting warm and cold areas of interest.