If you’re stepping into the world of robotics, the TurtleBot 4 is one of the most popular platforms to learn and build with. It’s powered by ROS 2, comes with a mobile base, sensors, and compute hardware. It is designed to help you explore everything from basic navigation to advanced AI. But how do you decide between the Standard and Lite versions? Let’s break down what makes them different, and which one is best for your project.
Key Differences
TurtleBot 4 Standard
- Comes with a sensor tower that includes a 2D LiDAR and OAK-D-Pro camera.
- Includes a UI board with display, buttons, LEDs, and extra USB-C ports for expansion.
- Designed for flexibility and customization, making it easier to add new sensors or payloads.
TurtleBot 4 Lite
- A streamlined version without the full sensor tower and UI board.
- Still includes the core mobility and vision features (LiDAR + camera).
- Lower cost, lighter, and simpler to set up.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you want to learn the fundamentals of robotics and ROS 2: Go with the Lite.
- It’s affordable, less complex, and still lets you explore mapping, navigation, and vision-based applications. Perfect for students, hobbyists, or anyone just starting out.
If your goal is advanced robotics research or building custom applications: Choose the Standard.
- Its sensor tower, UI board, and expandability make it suitable for projects in autonomous navigation, multi-sensor fusion, and AI-driven robotics. Ideal for labs, universities, or startups pushing robotics innovation.
Spatial AI Camera & 2D LiDAR
Quick Breakdown
| Goal | Model | Reason |
| Learn ROS 2 Basics | Lite | Affordable, simple, covers core robotics concepts |
| Explore Mapping and Navigation | Lite | Includes LiDAR and camera for SLAM & path planning |
| Research in AI and Autonomy | Standard | Advanced sensors, expandability, UI board |
| Build Custom Robotics Projects | Standard | More ports, payload capacity, sensor tower |
Ready to level up your research project with the TurtleBot 4?
Learn more here and reach out to one of our distributors to get started.
Looking for more than a TurtleBot 4?
Check out our other robotic platforms.
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