3D-printed robot built in 24 hours folds laundry with articulated arms

The article highlights the rapid development of a functional laundry-folding robot prototype named Sourccey, built by robotics maker Nick Maselli in under 24 hours. Designed for a client prioritizing performance over aesthetics, Sourccey features a mobile cylindrical body with a domed top, two articulated arms mounted on a central vertical lift, and is capable of manipulating soft materials like laundry. Most structural parts were 3D-printed using PLA filament, enabling quick iteration, fast reprints, and rapid fixes during the tight build window. The robot’s arms incorporate multiple servo motors for precise, coordinated movement, and grippers designed to maintain tension on fabric to prevent slippage. At the core of Sourccey’s system is a Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer, which manages vision-based perception via four cameras, motor control, and peripheral hardware such as a display and microphone. Power is supplied by a 12V lithium iron phosphate battery, with a custom power distribution PCB ensuring safe and