🤖 Disney Unveils Expressive 3D-Printed Robot with Unique Walking Style at IROS 2023

The robot, created by Disney Research in Zurich, is a 3D-printed, child-size robot with expressive features such as a highly mobile head, wiggly antennae, and stubby legs. What sets this robot apart is its unique walking style that adds a sense of personality, making it appear distinctly alive.

Its design includes a four-degree-of-freedom head and five-degree-of-freedom legs with hip joints, enabling dynamic balance while walking. Disney Research aims to bridge the gap between animators and roboticists by developing a reinforcement learning-based pipeline. This system allows animators to expressively design motions while considering real-world constraints, with the pipeline translating these visions into robust robotic movements. The collaboration between animators and roboticists is crucial to creating a character that can convey emotions through both its movements and walking style.

The robot serves as a promising platform for expressive robotics, and its hardware-agnostic design allows for rapid iteration and adaptation. The article emphasizes that the significance lies not just in the specific robot but in the overall process and potential for creating a variety of expressive robotic characters with different morphologies and behaviors. Disney Research envisions using this technique to develop more physical robotic characters, pushing the boundaries of expressive and dynamic robotic motions.

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💪 ANYmal Upgrade: Curiosity Unleashes Advanced Manipulation Skills

Zürich-based Swiss-Mile has enhanced the ANYmal quadruped robot with powered wheels for speed and efficiency, enabling it to handle curbs and stairs. The robot has been taught to stand up, facilitating more versatile movement and manipulation using its wheel-hand-leg-arms. Researchers at ETH Zurich's Robotic Systems Lab employed curiosity-driven learning, a form of reinforcement learning, to train the robot in tasks like opening doors and placing packages into boxes.

The robot's curiosity about specific elements, such as the door handle or package motion, helps it explore and innovate solutions independently. The use of sparse rewards in training results in diverse and reliable behaviors, allowing the robot to recover from real-world mistakes. While relying on visual code-based systems like AprilTags, Swiss-Mile aims to further develop the robot's capabilities, indicating potential practical applications for the ANYmal.

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👋 Stanford Doggo - an Open-Source quadruped robot

Stanford Doggo is a cost-effective, four-legged robot developed by Stanford students from the Extreme Mobility team. It is designed for traversing challenging terrain, performing acrobatic tricks, and encouraging an open-source community by providing comprehensive plans and code online.

Features of the robot:
➡️ Holds the record for the highest vertical jumping agility among all robots.
➡️ Estimated cost of less than $3,000, making it a cost-effective.
➡️ Capable of walking, trotting, dancing, and performing impressive jumps and backflips.
➡️ Comprehensive plans, code, and supply list freely available online, fostering a collaborative community.
➡️ Motors recalculate at a remarkable 8,000 times per second, contributing to the robot's agility.

With open-access plans and code, Stanford Doggo beckons tech enthusiasts and researchers to explore its intricacies, offering a hands-on opportunity to contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of robotic locomotion.

More information:
🔗 The main article
😹 The GitHub page

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🤖 SkidSteer - Open-Source and 3D Printed RC robot

This project represents an open-source endeavor aimed at creating a versatile and customizable remote-controlled skid steer robot. With a focus on modularity and user-friendly upgrades, this project offers a platform for experimentation and learning in robotics and 3D printing.

Features of the robot include:
➡️ Modular front bucket attachment system for easy swapping of accessories.
➡️ Support for both tires and tank tracks, allowing adaptation to various terrains.
➡️ Enhanced battery system using lithium-ion Phoenix batteries with built-in protection.
➡️ Reinforced arm attachment gear for efficient torque distribution.
➡️ Integration of headlights for improved aesthetics and functionality.
➡️ Step-by-step assembly guides and comprehensive documentation for user convenience and customization.

Ideal for hobbyists, makers, and educators interested in robotics, 3D printing, and DIY projects, this open-source endeavor provides a platform for skill expansion and the creation of customized robotic solutions.

More information:
🔗 Robot's 3D models
😹 The GitHub repository
📺 The YouTube video

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👋 TOPS - 3D-Printable Open-Source Quadrupedal Robot

TOPS (Traverser of Planar Surfaces) stands as a remarkable open-source project, showcasing the meticulous fusion of hardware innovation and software expertise in robotics. From custom-made actuators to sophisticated electronics, each aspect of TOPS' development embodies the DIY ethos, culminating in a fully functional and dynamic robot.

Features of the Robot:
➡️ Custom quasi-direct-drive actuators crafted using brushless motors and planetary gear sets
➡️ Silicone-cast feet for enhanced traction
➡️ CAN bus communication for seamless coordination among actuators
➡️ High-torque brushless motors and motor controllers for precise control
➡️ Microcontroller for overall system management and coordination of various components

This project appeals to robotics enthusiasts, DIY makers, and anyone intrigued by the intersection of hardware and software innovation in robotics. Finally, TOPS offers valuable insights and a testament to the boundless possibilities of open-source innovation.

More information:
🔗 The official website
😹 The GitHub repository
📺 The YouTube video
☠️ The Hackaday page

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🤖 Diablo - Self-Balancing Wheeled-Leg Robot

The Diablo is a very interesting robot with a unique combination of agility and style. Powered by six powerful direct-drive motors, Diablo offers unparalleled power, smooth action, and energy efficiency.

Specifications of the robot:
➡️Stand Dimensions: 528 × 366 × 491 mm
➡️Maximum load while standing: 4 kg
➡️Working Voltage: 28-32V
➡️Rated Speed: 115 rpm

The robot boasts an open SDK and comprehensive ROS2 Foxy support. With an extensive documentation, Diablo fosters for collaboration and exploration in robotics.

Features of the robot:
➡️Standing, squatting, and creeping modes
➡️Less than 49 dB noise ensures minimal disruption
➡️Up to 4 hours in creeping mode

In conclusion, Diablo stands as a testament to innovation in robotics, offering a high level of agility, versatility, and performance. Whether for researchers, developers, or enthusiasts, Diablo opens doors to endless possibilities in robotics exploration and development.

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🤖 Remote-Controlled 3D-Printed Rover

This project is an ambitious endeavor combining custom electronics, 3D printing, and programming to create a versatile and multifunctional remote-controlled vehicle.

Features of the robot:
➡️Dual ESP32 microcontrollers manage controls, sensors, and communication.
➡️Automatic tilt adjustment, emergency stop, and connection loss detection.
➡️Homemade PCBs and motor drivers, with easy-to-modify standard components.
➡️Motorized height and tilt adjustments with tilt compensation.
➡️Remote control displays battery, connection, and ammunition status.
➡️Operates with a reliable firing mechanism and safety features.

This project offers a rich platform for hobbyists interested in robotics, electronics, and mechanical design, providing a robust base for further experimentation and customization.

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🤖 Q8bot – Tiny Open-Source Robot with Big Potential

The Q8bot is a compact quadruped robot designed to minimize wiring complexity by integrating all components directly onto a custom PCB. The robot uses eight Dynamixel motors and a Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 microcontroller to achieve agile, wire-free movement.

Features of the robot:
➡️The robot's core structure integrates motor connections and power components directly onto a central PCB.
➡️Powered by eight powerful XL330-M077-T servos.
➡️The 3D-printed frames house 14500 batteries directly, providing a clean, compact design.
➡️Controlled remotely via an onboard ESP32 controller using the ESP-Now protocol.

The robot's open-source design and relatively low bill of materials (around $300) make it accessible for hobbyists looking to experiment with quadruped robot movement and control.

More information:
☠️ The Hackaday article
😹 The GitHub page

#projects #robots #esp32

🤖 Micro Wheel-Leg Balance Robot

This project introduces a compact, self-balancing two-wheeled robot capable of agile movement, including jumping and navigating small obstacles. It features a custom control system, wireless interface, and precision motion components, offering a hands-on way to explore modern robotics concepts.

Features of the robot:
➡️3D-printed, CNC-machined, and plate-cut mechanical parts
➡️ESP32-based mainboard with Wi-Fi interface (WebSocket + JSON)
➡️Brushless wheel motors with advanced FOC control
➡️AS5600 magnetic encoder + MPU6050 IMU for balance and motion sensing
➡️Custom servo control bus and complete PCB files
➡️Web interface for real-time remote control across multiple devices

As a fully open-source robot with firmware, electronics, and 3D-printable parts available on 😹 GitHub, it is a strong fit for makers, students, and robotics enthusiasts interested in studying self-balancing locomotion, experimenting with advanced motion control, and building a versatile robot from the ground up.

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