Articles tagged with "open-source-robotics"
Genie Sim 3.0 launches as AGIBOT expands open robotics simulation
AGIBOT has launched Genie Sim 3.0, an advanced open-source robot simulation platform unveiled at CES 2026, designed to accelerate the development and evaluation of embodied intelligence in robotics. The platform integrates tightly with NVIDIA Isaac Sim on NVIDIA Omniverse, creating a unified pipeline that combines digital asset creation, scene generation, data collection, automated evaluation, and physics-based simulation. Central to Genie Sim 3.0 is the Genie Sim Benchmark, a standardized evaluation system covering over 200 tasks across 100,000+ simulated scenarios, aiming to provide comprehensive capability profiles for robotic models rather than narrow metrics. A key feature of Genie Sim 3.0 is its extensive open-source dataset, which includes more than 10,000 hours of synthetic data reflecting real-world robot operations across multiple sensor modalities such as RGB-D, stereo vision, and whole-body kinematics. The platform incorporates automated data collection with teleoperation, scripted task execution, auto-annotation, and failure recovery to reduce time and
roboticsrobot-simulationembodied-intelligencedigital-twinsAI-simulationNVIDIA-Isaac-Simopen-source-roboticsQ1: Agibot unveils mini humanoid robot that can fit in a backpack
Chinese humanoid robotics startup Agibot has introduced the Q1, a compact AI-powered humanoid robot measuring just 80 cm (31 inches) tall and small enough to fit in a backpack. The Q1 features advanced capabilities such as full-body force control, crash-resistant Quasi-Direct Drive joints, and precise motion enabled by reengineered, egg-sized joints. Designed as an open platform, it offers an accessible SDK and HDK, a 3D-printable exterior shell, and zero-code programming, allowing users to customize its appearance and program movements without advanced robotics expertise. Out-of-the-box functionalities include voice interaction, English tutoring, dance coaching, and onboard positioning, making the Q1 suitable as both a personal companion and a research tool that bridges the gap between lab prototypes and personal devices. Agibot’s Q1 exemplifies the company’s vision of making humanoid robotics portable, customizable, and interactive, effectively turning humanoid robots into personal labs that can be carried in a
robothumanoid-robotAI-powered-robotpersonal-roboticsrobotics-startupopen-source-roboticsQuasi-Direct-Drive-jointsChina's Gen Z inventor aims to build the 'Android' of humanoid robots
In April 2025, Beijing-based startup RoboParty, founded by Huang Yi—one of China’s youngest humanoid-robot entrepreneurs—officially launched with the goal of creating a fully open-source bipedal humanoid robot platform. Huang, born in 2004, initially gained attention for building “AlexBot,” a walking humanoid robot developed on a modest budget during his first year at Harbin Institute of Technology. After releasing an upgraded version, “AlexBotmini,” and graduating early, he shifted focus to RoboParty’s flagship project, the “ATOM” robot, which aims to be China’s first fully open-source humanoid robot platform. Huang advocates that an open-source approach accelerates ecosystem development by promoting shared standards, reducing collaboration barriers, and enhancing security and global competitiveness. RoboParty’s launch aligns with a broader national push by Chinese authorities to advance robotics, AI, and humanoid technologies as strategic priorities. Significant government-backed funding initiatives were announced in early 2025,
robothumanoid-robotopen-source-roboticsAIrobotics-fundingChina-technologyRoboPartySingapore's National Robotics Programme reveals initiatives to advance robot adoption - The Robot Report
Singapore’s National Robotics Programme (NRP) has unveiled new initiatives aimed at accelerating robotics adoption and developing a future-ready robotics workforce. Key measures include establishing a shared testbed called ELEVATE at BCA Braddell Campus, fostering new collaborations, setting national standards to enhance robot interoperability, and launching programs to strengthen talent development. These efforts emphasize open collaboration and shared infrastructure to enable faster, safer, and broader deployment of robotics across industries. The NRP highlights Singapore’s growing role as a global testbed for open and interoperable robotics, uniting public agencies, research partners, and companies to translate innovation into scalable real-world solutions. A cornerstone of Singapore’s robotics strategy is the Robotics Middleware Framework (RMF), co-launched by NRP in 2018 with partners including Changi General Hospital and the Open Source Robotics Foundation (OSRF). RMF, built on the Robot Operating System (ROS), is one of the world’s first standard platforms enabling robots and systems from different manufacturers to work
roboticsrobotics-adoptionSingapore-National-Robotics-ProgrammeRobotics-Middleware-Frameworkrobot-interoperabilityopen-source-roboticsrobotics-workforce-developmentUK teen student's robot hand performs like research models
A 16-year-old student from Bristol, Jared K. Lepora, has developed an anthropomorphic robotic hand made entirely from LEGO parts that performs comparably to professional research models. Named the Educational SoftHand-A, this four-fingered, tendon-driven robotic hand mimics natural human hand motion using off-the-shelf LEGO MINDSTORMS components and two small motors. The design is inspired by the Pisa/IIT SoftHand, a leading soft-robotics model, and adapts its single tendon system concept with LEGO beams, rods, gears, and over 100 plastic bearings. Bench tests show the LEGO SoftHand achieves about 90% of the grip force of a professional 3D-printed SoftHand and can complete open-close cycles in roughly one second, with fingers that adapt automatically to different object shapes. The project, guided by Jared’s father Dr. Nathan F. Lepora of the University of Bristol, is openly accessible with build instructions and files available online, making it
roboticsrobotic-handsoft-roboticseducational-roboticsLego-Mindstormsadaptive-graspingopen-source-roboticsVideo: Robotic hand with 16 joints perfectly opens soda can like humans
TetherIA, a California-based company, has developed the Aero Hand Open, an open-source, tendon-driven robotic hand designed to tackle the challenge of dexterous manipulation in robotics. Featuring 16 joints, the robotic hand can perform precise tasks such as grasping small objects, picking up an iPhone, and even opening a soda can with human-like dexterity. Its underactuated design uses cables running through the fingers instead of individual motors for each joint, allowing the hand to conform naturally to various object shapes. This compliance enhances its ability to handle everyday objects with precision and adaptability. The Aero Hand Open emphasizes simplicity, affordability, and accessibility. It is fully 3D-printable, lightweight, and integrates open-source ESP32-based firmware and ROS2-compatible control software, making it suitable for research and educational use. Priced at $314 for a complete kit, it offers a modular platform that can be assembled with standard equipment and off-the-shelf components. Additionally, the system includes a
robotroboticsrobotic-handdexterous-manipulationopen-source-roboticstendon-driven-actuation3D-printingChinese humanoid robot performs cartwheel, 360 jump in demo video
Shanghai-based robotics company Fourier recently showcased its N1 humanoid robot performing impressive gymnastic feats, including a cartwheel and a 360-degree jump, in a 30-second demonstration video. The N1, about 1.3 meters tall and weighing 38 kilograms, executes these dynamic moves without using fingers, relying on strong actuators, precise motion-planning algorithms, and real-time sensing to maintain balance and stability. These maneuvers highlight the robot’s advanced hardware strength and control responsiveness, underscoring Fourier’s engineering capabilities in humanoid robotics. Unlike Fourier’s earlier full-size GR series robots, the N1 (also called Nexus-01) is designed to be smaller, lighter, and more accessible, serving as an open-source platform for developers, researchers, and hobbyists. Fourier provides blueprints, software, control systems, and hardware details openly, encouraging experimentation and innovation. The company plans various configurations, from self-assembly kits to ready-built units, under its “N
robothumanoid-robotopen-source-roboticsrobotics-demonstrationdynamic-controlactuator-technologyrobotics-hardwareX Square Robot debuts foundation model for robotic butler after $100M Series A - The Robot Report
X Square Robot, a Shenzhen-based startup founded in 2023, has raised $100 million in Series A+ funding and introduced Wall-OSS, an open-source foundational AI model designed for robotic platforms, alongside its Quanta X2 humanoid robot. The company aims to advance household humanoid robotics by addressing key limitations in current robotic AI, such as over-reliance on task-specific training and excessive focus on bipedal locomotion. Instead, X Square Robot emphasizes generalized training in manipulation with robotic hands and reasoning across diverse robot forms to enable robots to perform unpredictable real-world tasks, like serving food, which traditional warehouse-focused training does not prepare them for. Wall-OSS is built on what X Square Robot claims to be the world’s largest embodied intelligence dataset and is designed to overcome challenges like catastrophic forgetting (loss of previously learned knowledge when training on new data) and modal decoupling (misalignment of vision, language, and action). The multimodal model is trained on vision-language-action
roboticshumanoid-robotsembodied-AIfoundation-modelrobotic-butlerAI-trainingopen-source-roboticsBuild Your Own Bipedal Robot
The article introduces MEVITA, a bipedal robot designed to be constructed using readily available parts from e-commerce platforms such as Amazon. By leveraging commonly accessible components, MEVITA aims to democratize bipedal robotics research, making it feasible for hobbyists, students, and researchers without specialized resources to engage in this field. MEVITA is open-sourced, providing detailed instructions and design files to facilitate easy assembly and experimentation. This approach lowers the barrier to entry in bipedal robotics, encouraging broader participation and innovation. The project highlights the potential for accessible robotics development through the use of commercial off-the-shelf parts and open collaboration.
robotbipedal-robotroboticsopen-source-roboticsDIY-robotrobot-researche-commerce-partsHugging Face launches Reachy Mini robot as embodied AI platform
Hugging Face, following its acquisition of Pollen Robotics in April 2025, has launched Reachy Mini, an open-source, compact robot designed to facilitate experimentation in human-robot interaction, creative coding, and AI. Standing 11 inches tall and weighing 3.3 pounds, Reachy Mini features motorized head and body rotation, expressive animated antennas, and multimodal sensing via an integrated camera, microphones, and speakers, enabling rich AI-driven audio-visual interactions. The robot is offered as a kit in two versions, encouraging hands-on assembly and deeper mechanical understanding, and will provide over 15 robot behaviors at launch. A key advantage of Reachy Mini is its seamless integration with Hugging Face’s AI ecosystem, allowing users to utilize advanced open-source models for speech, vision, and personality development. It is fully programmable in Python, with planned future support for JavaScript and Scratch, catering to developers of varying skill levels. The robot’s open-source hardware, software, and simulation
robotembodied-AIopen-source-roboticshuman-robot-interactionAI-powered-robotprogrammable-robotHugging-Face-roboticsHugging Face opens up orders for its Reachy Mini desktop robots
Hugging Face has opened orders for its Reachy Mini desktop robots, targeting AI developers interested in building and testing robotics applications. The company offers two versions: the Reachy Mini Wireless, priced at $449 and running on a Raspberry Pi 5, and the Reachy Mini Lite, a more affordable $299 model that requires an external computing source. These open-source robots come as kits for users to assemble themselves and feature programmable Python interfaces, two eye screens, and antennas. They integrate with Hugging Face’s open-source machine learning platform, providing access to over 1.7 million AI models and 400,000 datasets. The decision to launch two versions was influenced by user feedback, including a tester’s young child who wanted a portable robot, prompting the wireless model. Hugging Face emphasizes community-driven development, encouraging users to create, modify, and share custom features and applications. The Reachy Mini Lite is expected to ship next month, with the wireless version following later in the year.
roboticsopen-source-roboticsAI-developmentdesktop-robotsprogrammable-robotsReachy-MiniHugging-FaceWorld’s first garage-built humanoid robot open to creators worldwide
K-Scale Labs, led by CEO Benjamin Bolte, is developing the world’s first garage-built, open-source humanoid robot called the K-Bot, aimed at making advanced robotics accessible to everyday consumers rather than just large corporations. Operating from Bolte’s home with a small dedicated team, the startup envisions the K-Bot performing common household tasks such as toasting bread and mopping floors, thereby reducing manual labor. The initial version, launching in November 2025, will feature basic locomotion, balance control, voice commands, and app-based operation, with a goal of achieving near full autonomy by June 2028. The K-Bot stands 1.4 meters tall, weighs 34 kg, and can carry payloads up to 10 kg. It includes modular, upgradeable sensors and computing systems, RGB and stereo vision cameras, farfield microphones, stereo speakers, and a four-hour battery life. Priced starting at $10,999, it aims to disrupt
robothumanoid-robotopen-source-roboticsautomationpersonal-robotK-Botrobotics-startupAffordable, open-source humanoid robot for beginners unveiled in US
Berkeley engineers have introduced the Berkeley Humanoid Lite, an affordable, fully open-source humanoid robot aimed at beginners in robotics. Standing about one meter tall and weighing roughly 35 pounds (16 kilograms), the robot is constructed primarily from 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf components, keeping the total cost under $5,000. Its modular design includes actuators with durable cycloidal gears that compensate for the lower strength of 3D-printed plastics, enhancing longevity and ease of maintenance. Users can easily source parts online or print replacements themselves, making the platform highly accessible for hobbyists, students, and educators without requiring specialized tools or equipment. The project addresses the common barriers in humanoid robotics, such as high costs and proprietary hardware/software that limit customization and repair. By providing full access to hardware designs, code, and training tools, Berkeley Humanoid Lite empowers users to build, modify, and improve humanoid systems from the ground up. Assembly typically takes about a week for
robothumanoid-robotopen-source-robotics3D-printed-robotmodular-actuatorsrobotics-educationaffordable-roboticsNAU researchers release open-source exoskeleton framework - The Robot Report
Researchers at Northern Arizona University (NAU), led by associate professor Zach Lerner’s Biomechatronics Lab, have developed and released OpenExo, a comprehensive open-source robotic exoskeleton framework. This framework aims to lower the barriers to entry in exoskeleton development by providing free access to design files, code, and step-by-step building instructions for single- or multi-joint exoskeletons. OpenExo addresses the high costs, complexity, and interdisciplinary challenges involved in creating effective biomechanical exoskeletons, which traditionally require extensive trial, error, and collaboration across engineering, computer science, and physiology fields. Lerner’s team has a proven track record of applying exoskeleton technology to help children with cerebral palsy and patients with gait disorders, securing millions in grant funding and launching a spin-off company that brought a robotic ankle device to market. The lab has also been awarded nine patents related to exoskeleton development. By making OpenExo openly accessible, the
robotexoskeletonbiomechanicsrehabilitation-technologyopen-source-roboticswearable-roboticsassistive-technology