The Q8bot robot, an innovative miniature quadruped , is powered by eight Dynamixel motors and a Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 board, making it an advanced and affordable option in the DIY robotics field. This small robot, which weighs just 221 grams , stands out for its completely wireless design, achieving a lighter and less expensive system.
Simplified design of the Q8bot robot
The Q8bot design features a compact, cable-free structure with direct connections to a central printed circuit board (PCB). This construction reduces weight and makes maintenance and assembly easier – key factors for robotics enthusiasts and students. The Q8bot’s architecture allows for an agile and stable build , suitable for dynamic movements such as jumping and advanced types of walking – features that are still in development.
With an estimated bill of materials (BOM) of $300, Q8bot is an attractive option for DIY robotics. Eric Wu, the project’s creator, has shared 99% of the robot’s design on an open GitHub repository , allowing users to build their own version of Q8bot. From 3D design files to electrical schematics, the community has access to all the technical details to customize and improve this quadruped robot.
Miniature dynamic quadruped robot. Source: Yufeng Eric Wu
For its operation, Q8bot employs an architecture in which motion calculations are performed on a laptop that sends joint commands to the robot using the ESPNow protocol, ensuring fast and effective communication. This architecture allows the Q8bot to execute complex movements while maintaining a compact, cable-free structure.
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Source and photos: Github