Open source Quadrupeds

ODRI Solo-12

A torque-controlled open-source quadruped from the Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (MPI, NYU and partners): 12 DoF, 2.5 kg and foldable, with actuators, electronics and control software all open.

Type
Quadruped
DoF
12
Weight
2.5 kg
Folded
45 × 30 × 6 cm
Actuators
custom 9:1 belt-drive modules
Cost
not published (Solo-8 materials ≈ €4,000)
  • Open hardware and open code
  • Full bill of materials with supplier links
  • Direct links to the original CAD, code and papers

01 — Project details

Overview, BOM and resources

Overview

Each Solo-12 leg has hip abduction, hip flexion and knee joints, enough for jumps and flips. At its core is an open actuator module — 3D-printed housing, two-stage 3:1 belt reduction and a drone brushless motor, at just 150 g.

The same actuator builds Solo-8, a 6-DoF biped and robotic fingers. The electronics (Master Board + Micro Driver) and control interface are open too.

Key specifications

ActuatorT-Motor Antigravity 4004 300KV + 9:1 belt drive + Broadcom AEDT-9810 encoder; 2.5 N·m at 12 A
Drivers6 × Micro Driver Board v2 + Master Board v2 (ESP32, Ethernet / WiFi)
IMULord Microstrain 3DM-CX5-25
StructureFDM PC-ABS or SLS shells; Multijet / SLA precision pulleys

Bill of materials

The official BOM lists parts, quantities and suppliers without prices (mostly European suppliers; quote on request).

Download the BOM (.xlsx)

PartModel / specQtyLink
Solo-12 v1 robot (×1)
3DOF Leg3DOF Leg Documentation4
Master Board v21github.com ↗
Micro Driver Board v2Micro Driver Documentation6
Inertia Measurement Unit1microstrain.com ↗
Body Structure Back1
Body Structure Bottom2
Body Structure Center1
Body Structure Center Handle1
Body Structure Center Vicon1
Body Structure Front1
Body Structure Hip AA Support4
Body Structure Side4
Body Structure Top IMU1
Body Structure Top Master Board1
Led Cover1
Hip Adapter2
Spacer Micro Driver Stack16
Hip AA Bearing25mm x 20mm x 4mm ; ET2520 2Z VA4sbn.de ↗
Fasteners Body Structure SideM3x12 Socket Head Cap Screw16online-schrauben.de ↗
Fasteners Body Structure CenterM3x8 Socket Head Cap Screw8online-schrauben.de ↗
Fasteners Hip AA Actuator ModulesM2,5x10 Socket Head Cap Screw16online-schrauben.de ↗
Fasteners Hip AA SupportM3x14 Socket Head Cap Screw8online-schrauben.de ↗
Fasteners Micro Driver StackM2,5x25 Socket Head Cap Screw8online-schrauben.de ↗
Fasteners IMUM2,5x16 Slotted Screw ; Conrad 839940-623
Helicoil M3 x 4,5mm32hoffmann-group.com ↗
Vicon Markers Ø 9,5mm13vicon.com ↗
Fasteners Vicon MarkersM4x10 Set Screw13online-schrauben.de ↗
Solo-12 v1 — robot stand
Stand Fork2
Stand Foot4
Slotted Profile Vertical2us-product.item24.com ↗
Slotted Profile Horizontal1us-product.item24.com ↗
Angle Bracket4product.item24.de ↗
Fastener Stand ForkM8x25 Flat Head Screw2online-schrauben.de ↗
Fastener Stand FootM5x20 Socket Head Cap Screw8online-schrauben.de ↗
Rubber Feet4export.rsdelivers.com ↗
Leg 3-DoF v1 (×4 per robot)
Core ComponentsActuator Module Core v1 ; Actuator Module Core v1.13
Hip AA Module Shell Base1
Hip AA Module Shell Cover1
Hip FE Module Shell Base1
Hip FE Module Shell Cover1
Upper Leg Module Shell Base1
Upper Leg Module Shell Cover1
Lower Leg v21
Lower Leg v31
Rubber FootBicycle tire - for example: Schwalbe Lugano 28" 23-622
Fasteners M3x35M3x35 Socket Head Cap Screw2
Fasteners M3x22M3x22 Socket Head Cap Screw2
Fasteners M3x16M3x16 Socket Head Cap Screw2
Fasteners M3x12M3x12 Socket Head Cap Screw2
Washer M32
Fasteners M2,5x6M2,5x6 Socket Head Cap Screw12
Fasteners M2,5x10M2,5x10 Socket Head Cap Screw15
Helical Inserts M2,5x3,75Hoffmann 082814 M2,5 ; McMaster 91732A76727
Actuator Module Core v1 (×3 per leg, ×12 per robot)
T-Motor Antigravity 4004 300kV1
Encoder Broadcom AEDT-9810-Z001digikey.com ↗
Codewheel for Encoder AEDT-9810-Z001
Timing Belt Conti Synchroflex AT3 GEN IIIwidth: 4mm / length: 150mm / 50 teeth ; Timing belt first stage1
Timing Belt Conti Synchroflex AT3 GEN IIIwidth: 6mm / length: 201mm / 67 teeth ; Timing belt second stage1
Bearing Output Shaft32mm x 25mm x 4mm ; EZO bearing 61705 2RS VA2
Bearing Motor Shaft and Center Shaft8mm x 4mm x 2mm ; EZO bearing MR84 VA3
Bearing Timing Belt Tensioner7mm x 3mm x 3mm ; EZO bearing 683 2Z VA2
Encoder Codewheel PWB Mount1
Transmission Pulley AT3 T30 Center1
Transmission Pulley AT3 T30 Output1
Timing Belt Tensioner Roller 10mm2
Motor ShaftPDF drawing1
Motor PulleyPDF drawing1
Center PulleyPDF drawing1
Fasteners EncoderM3 x 16 Philipps Flat Head Screw2conrad.com ↗
Fasteners MotorM3 x 5 Flat Head Screw4online-schrauben.de ↗
Fasteners Timing Belt TensionerM3 x 10 Flat Head Screw2online-schrauben.de ↗
Washers Timing Belt TensionerM2,5 Washer2online-schrauben.de ↗
Helical Insert Output ShaftHelicoil M3 x 62mcmaster.com ↗
Broadcom Encoder Kit AEDM-5810-Z121digikey.com ↗
Codewheel Mount Encoder Kit1
Bearing Timing Belt TensionerSKF # 623-2Z ; 10mm x 3mm x 4mm2qualitybearingsonline.com ↗
Fasteners Timing Belt TensionerM3 x 10 Flat Head Screw2online-schrauben.de ↗
Washers Timing Belt TensionerM3 Washer2mcmaster.com ↗
v1.1 autonomy upgrade (battery / wireless, optional)
Power Management Board1github.com ↗
LiPo Battery SLS X-Cube 850mAh2
E-Stop SwitchRS 820-75871
On-Off SwitchRS 820-75931
Status Led RingAdafruit 1643 ; Mouser 485-1643 ; Conrad 15165601
Body Structure Center Payload2
Body Structure Front Batterie Lid2
Body Structure Front Batterie2
Body Structure Top IMU Leds1
Body Structure Top Master Power Board1
Mount Switches1
Neo Pixel Cover1
Fastener M2 x 6 SHCS8
Fastener M2,5 x 6 SHCS1
Fastener M2,5 x 8 SHCS1
Fastener M3 x 6 SHCS4
Helicoil M2,5 x 3,75mm10
Helicoil M3 x 4,5mm20

3D printing & fabrication

  • Large parts (shells, body) in FDM or SLS — MPI prints PC-ABS on a Stratasys Fortus at 0.178 mm layers.
  • Small precision parts such as pulleys need Multijet or SLA; the LED cover needs clear material.
  • Print along the STL’s +Z axis and watch the bearing-seat tolerances.

CAD, code & papers

Get the large files — CAD, STL, STEP and code — straight from the original project:

License

Hardware and control interface BSD-3-Clause; master-board BSD-2-Clause.

Image credits

  1. Image 1: Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (NYU & MPG) · BSD 3-Clause — source ↗
  2. Image 2: Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (NYU & MPG) · BSD 3-Clause — source ↗
  3. Image 3: Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (NYU & MPG) · BSD 3-Clause — source ↗
  4. Image 4: Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (NYU & MPG) · BSD 3-Clause — source ↗
  5. Image 5: Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (NYU & MPG) · BSD 3-Clause — source ↗
  6. Image 6: Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (NYU & MPG) · BSD 3-Clause — source ↗

Source: Images and data: Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (GitHub open-dynamic-robot-initiative and arXiv:1910.00093). Hardware BSD-3-Clause, master-board BSD-2-Clause. This site is not affiliated with the original project.

Get the parts

Where to get the parts

Every line in the BOM links to the supplier the original team used. Need help sourcing parts or 3D-printing the structure? Tell us which robot you are building.

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