Scout 2

Overview

The AgileX Scout 2 is a mid-size skid-steer outdoor research robot priced between $9,980 and $14,190, offering 50 kg payload capacity and strong outdoor mobility for research and industrial inspection applications. It is one of the most cost-effective wheeled outdoor research UGVs available, providing performance that competes with platforms costing significantly more from Western manufacturers.

Scout 2 uses a four-wheel skid-steer configuration with independent motor control per wheel, delivering good traction on grass, gravel, and mixed terrain. It is compatible with ROS and ROS2 and supports a range of AgileX accessory mounts for arms, sensors, and computing hardware.

Key Specifications

• Payload: 50 kg
• Price: $9,980 to $14,190
• Drive: Skid-steer, four-wheel
• Software: ROS/ROS2 compatible
• Ground clearance: Sufficient for moderate outdoor terrain

Use Cases

Scout 2 is appropriate for university research projects requiring outdoor mobile robot capability at a constrained budget, small robotics startups developing inspection or field robotics products, and corporate R&D teams conducting proof-of-concept work before committing to higher-cost platforms.

In the UK, agricultural robotics researchers, utilities inspection companies, and security robotics startups represent natural users of the Scout 2 platform.

Buying Used

A secondary market exists primarily through AgileX European distributors and university equipment disposals. The wheeled drivetrain is less susceptible to wear than tracked alternatives, making used Scout 2 units relatively reliable purchases with proper inspection.

Alternatives to Consider

Clearpath Jackal offers stronger ecosystem support at a comparable price with more pre-built ROS packages and academic community documentation, making it the better choice for pure research applications where software development time needs to be minimised. AgileX Scout Mini is the smaller, lower-cost version for applications where the full Scout 2 payload is not required and portability is a priority. Clearpath Husky is the step up for buyers needing higher payload, higher ground clearance, and the most comprehensive outdoor research robot software ecosystem available. Buyers choosing between Scout 2 and Jackal should compare the ongoing support commitments of each manufacturer carefully, as the total cost of ownership over a multi-year research programme often exceeds the initial hardware price.