THE PARTS WORKBENCH

Build the connections first.

Controllers, actuators, drivers and sensors for your own robot. Understand what each part does, what it connects to and what you still need to check.

One robot, several systems. Compute makes decisions. Drivers deliver power to actuators. Sensors return measurements. Printed parts hold the geometry together.

Explore 47 parts

THE COMPUTE MAP

Choose the job. Then the board.

CHOOSE ONE FIRST EXPERIMENT

Find your first build.

These are source-based planning paths, not tested bills of materials. Resolve the listed checks before ordering or powering a build.

01A small rover

Learn to command two motors and read a distance sensor before attempting autonomous navigation.

Candidate parts

What to print

A sensor mount and removable electronics deck. Print a hole-and-clearance sample first.

Explore: Bambu Lab A1 mini / Bambu Lab A1

Before you buy

Candidate component prices are not a complete budget. Include two motors, batteries, a suitable logic supply, switch, wiring, connectors, tools and delivery.

  • Check a shared operating voltage across the full battery charge range.
  • Test one motor at a time with wheels or tracks lifted and a reachable power switch.
  • Tune low-speed motion and sensor behavior before running on the floor.
Complete platform: Zumo 32U4 OLED (50:1 assembled)
02A robot that can see

Add a Linux camera pipeline to a tested motion platform; keep perception and low-level control separate.

Candidate parts

What to print

A rigid camera carrier and ventilated computer mount, with a repeatable camera position.

Explore: Original Prusa MK4S / QIDI Q2

Before you buy

This is an upgrade path, not a rolling chassis kit. Add a drive platform, drivers, storage, host power and cooling. Lidar is optional for mapping.

  • First verify the camera stream and latency while stationary.
  • Calibrate camera position and define the link to the motion controller.
  • The D24V22F5 entry is not a recommended Pi 5 supply. Select a correctly rated power solution.
Complete platform: TurtleBot3 Burger RPi4 4GB
03An arm that learns from demonstrations

Follow a maintained SO-ARM101 bill of materials and calibration process before collecting training data.

Candidate parts

What to print

Use the project's exact leader/follower frame files and revision. Check the servo fit before printing the full frame.

Explore: Bambu Lab A1 / Prusa CORE One L+

Before you buy

A printed frame price is not the arm price. Count the required servos, controller boards, power adapters, fasteners, cameras and host computer for both arms.

  • Use the specified joint gear ratios and voltages; do not substitute a visually similar servo.
  • Calibrate joint IDs and motion limits using the official workflow.
  • Treat policy training and evaluation as a separate compute and validation budget.
Complete platform: SO-ARM101 Pro (assembled)
04Joint feedback bench

Measure an angle and an applied load on a stationary test fixture before attempting powered closed-loop motion.

Candidate parts

What to print

Adjustable sensor brackets, a concentric magnet holder and a load-cell fixture with mechanical overload stops.

Explore: Bambu Lab A1 mini / Original Prusa MK4S

Before you buy

Add a suitable magnet, load cell, wiring and test weights. The sensor list is not a complete powered joint.

  • Start with hand-driven measurements and calibrate angle and force independently.
  • Choose a separate actuator and driver only after torque, speed, travel and stall-current calculations.
Complete platform: AgileX PiPER
05Environmental sensing rover

Add position-labelled environmental measurements to a small mobile platform, first proving the sensors on the bench.

Candidate parts

What to print

Vented sensor pods, cable guides and a removable mounting plate that keeps sensors clear of processor exhaust.

Explore: Bambu Lab A1 / QIDI Q2

Before you buy

Budget the mobile base, power conversion, sensor cables and storage separately. A stationary logger is a smaller first step.

  • Confirm the selected base interface and supported software before combining the systems.
  • Allow sensor settling time, synchronize logs and validate readings against a reference.
Complete platform: AgileX LIMO PRO

CHOOSE BY THE JOB

The building blocks.

Supplier buying notes

Prices identify a part or selected variant, not a finished robot. Confirm stock, tax, delivery and package contents.

47 parts

Compute & control

Raspberry Pi Pico 2 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Raspberry Pi Pico 2

A microcontroller for reading sensors and timing small motor-control tasks.

From $5 USD, board only

Processor
RP2350 microcontroller
Software
C/C++ SDK or MicroPython
Interfaces
GPIO, PWM, I2C, SPI and UART; C/C++ or MicroPython.
Power
Use documented board input and GPIO limits. GPIO is a signal, not a motor supply.
What to print
Print a carrier with USB access and strain relief.
Before connecting it
  • The base Pico 2 is not Pico 2 W; wireless needs the W variant or extra hardware.
  • Budget headers, wiring and a motor driver. This does not run desktop Linux.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Compute & control

Raspberry Pi 5 product view
8 GB board shown; memory options vary.Image: Adafruit

Raspberry Pi 5

A Linux host for a camera, user interface and higher-level robot software.

Select RAM and region for price

Processor
BCM2712, Arm Cortex-A76
Software
Raspberry Pi OS / Linux
Interfaces
USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, GPIO and MIPI camera connections.
Power
Manufacturer recommends a suitable 5V/5A USB-C supply. Account for cooling.
What to print
Make a ventilated mount with clearance for cables and the cooler.
Before connecting it
  • Choose memory around the actual workload; include storage and power.
  • Pi 5 camera connectors need the correct cable; Pi 4 cases do not fit.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Compute & control

Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: NVIDIA

Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit

An embedded GPU computer for local vision and model inference experiments.

Check current regional developer-kit price

Processor
Jetson Orin Nano module with integrated NVIDIA GPU
Software
NVIDIA JetPack / Linux
Interfaces
JetPack software stack; confirm camera and framework support.
Power
Use the specified kit power supply and thermal arrangement.
What to print
Print a rigid ventilated carrier while keeping fan and connector access.
Before connecting it
  • Historical launch prices are not a current delivered quote.
  • A trained policy, camera calibration and low-level motion controller are separate work.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Motor drivers

Pololu DRV8835 Dual Motor Driver product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Pololu

Pololu DRV8835 Dual Motor Driver

Controls two small brushed DC motors from logic-level commands.

$6.95 USD, one carrier

Interfaces
PWM with direction/phase inputs; follow the carrier mode and pinout.
Power
Motor supply 0 to 11V; logic supply 2 to 7V. Published continuous current is 1.2A per channel.
What to print
Provide insulated standoffs and access to motor terminals.
Before connecting it
  • Compare motor stall current and driver thermal limits, not just no-load current.
  • Requires wiring or soldered headers; keep motor current out of microcontroller pins.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Pololu buying notes

Motor drivers

Adafruit PCA9685 Servo Driver product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit PCA9685 Servo Driver

Adds sixteen PWM control signals for compatible hobby servos.

$14.95 USD, board only

Interfaces
I2C control; configurable address and PWM frequency.
Power
Logic and servo V+ are separate. Size the external servo supply for simultaneous loads.
What to print
Use a protected board carrier with service access to servo plugs.
Before connecting it
  • This is not a bus-servo controller for DYNAMIXEL or STS3215.
  • Headers need soldering. Common PWM frequency must suit all attached servos.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Actuators

Pololu 100:1 Micro Metal Gearmotor MP 6V product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Pololu

Pololu 100:1 Micro Metal Gearmotor MP 6V

A small brushed gearmotor candidate for a light wheeled or tracked rover.

$23.95 USD per motor

Interfaces
Two motor wires; 3mm D-shaped output shaft. This variant has no encoder.
Power
6V motor; published stall current 0.67A. Avoid sustained stalls.
What to print
Print a clamp around the motor body and a wheel hub matched to the shaft.
Before connecting it
  • Plan two motors for differential drive and choose a suitable driver.
  • Do not treat stall torque as a continuous working rating.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Pololu buying notes

Actuators

DYNAMIXEL XL330-M288-T product view
Manufacturer XL330 family visual; the listed model is XL330-M288-T.Image: ROBOTIS

DYNAMIXEL XL330-M288-T

A compact feedback servo for custom joints and small mechanisms.

Check current regional actuator price

Interfaces
TTL half-duplex serial bus, DYNAMIXEL Protocol 2.0.
Power
3.7 to 6V operating range; 5V recommended in the e-manual.
What to print
Model around manufacturer mounting geometry and horn clearances.
Before connecting it
  • Needs a compatible bus interface and correctly configured IDs.
  • Not electrically interchangeable with 12V DYNAMIXEL models or ordinary PWM servos.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
ROBOTIS buying notes

Actuators

Feetech STS3215 / ST3215 kit variants product view
ST-3215-C046 variant shown by Seeed; verify torque and voltage for each kit position.Image: Seeed Studio / Feetech

Feetech STS3215 / ST3215 kit variants

Bus-servo variants used in low-cost robot-learning arms.

Selected Seeed variants list $20 to $22 USD each

Interfaces
Serial bus; match the controller, firmware, ID and gear-ratio assignment to the build guide.
Power
The listed variants include 7.4V and 12V models. Select the exact SKU and matching supply.
What to print
Use the frame revision and servo geometry specified by the arm project.
Before connecting it
  • A shared family name does not establish voltage or gear-ratio compatibility.
  • Leader and follower joints can require different servo variants; verify the kit bill of materials.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Seeed Studio buying notes

Sensors & vision

Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3

An autofocus camera candidate for visual tracking and scene capture.

Select lens and regional price

Interfaces
MIPI CSI camera connection; choose the cable for the host board.
Power
Powered through the camera connection in the documented Pi setup.
What to print
Print a camera mount with lens clearance and a gentle ribbon-cable path.
Before connecting it
  • Standard, Wide and NoIR are different imaging choices.
  • An image stream alone does not provide depth or a calibrated robot coordinate frame.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Sensors & vision

Adafruit VL53L1X breakout product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit VL53L1X breakout

A time-of-flight distance sensor for short-range experiments.

$14.95 USD, breakout only

Interfaces
I2C, with STEMMA QT / Qwiic connectors on this breakout.
Power
Check breakout supply and logic levels in the wiring guide; do not use bare-chip limits interchangeably.
What to print
Keep the optical opening clear and prototype the mounting angle.
Before connecting it
  • Published maximum range depends on target and operating conditions.
  • This is a point distance sensor, not a scanning lidar or validated collision-protection system.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Sensors & vision

SLAMTEC RPLIDAR A1 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

SLAMTEC RPLIDAR A1

A rotating two-dimensional range scanner for mapping experiments.

Check the exact development-kit price

Interfaces
Serial data; development-kit USB adapter and ROS integration depend on package.
Power
Use the model-specific motor and scanner power requirements.
What to print
Mount level with a clear scan plane, away from cables and chassis obstructions.
Before connecting it
  • Check the A1 revision and included adapter rather than assuming all listings match.
  • Navigation still needs odometry, calibration and software; a scanner is not a complete navigation system.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Power

Pololu D24V22F5 regulator product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Pololu

Pololu D24V22F5 regulator

A step-down regulator candidate for a regulated 5V electronics rail.

$18.95 USD, one regulator

Interfaces
Fixed 5V output; wire input, output and common ground per the carrier guide.
Power
Input 5.3 to 36V; typical maximum 2.5A depends on input voltage and cooling.
What to print
Protect the board from shorts while allowing heat to escape.
Before connecting it
  • This cannot meet Raspberry Pi 5's recommended 5A supply rating.
  • It cannot boost a depleted battery below its input requirement; size and fuse the power path.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Pololu buying notes

Mechanical

Pololu Zumo Chassis Kit product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Pololu

Pololu Zumo Chassis Kit

A compact tracked base to build around small gearmotors.

$23.49 USD, chassis only

Interfaces
Mechanical kit for two compatible micro metal gearmotors, which are not included.
Power
Battery compartment accepts four AA cells; control electronics are separate.
What to print
Add a removable sensor deck with access to batteries and fasteners.
Before connecting it
  • Buy motors, driver, controller and wiring separately.
  • Measure mounting holes and track clearance before printing an upper deck.
Product specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Pololu buying notes

Sensors & vision

Adafruit BNO085 orientation IMU product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit BNO085 orientation IMU

Read fused orientation and motion measurements for a robot body.

$29.50 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
I2C, SPI or UART options; confirm host-library support.
Power
Match breakout supply and logic levels to the documented wiring.
What to print
Print a rigid, repeatable mount with its axes marked.
Before connecting it
  • Motor magnets and wiring can disturb heading; calibrate in the installed position.
  • Confirm clock-stretching and I2C compatibility with the selected host.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Power

Adafruit INA219 current sensor product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit INA219 current sensor

Log branch current and supply voltage to understand power consumption.

$9.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
I2C; high-side shunt measurement.
Power
Breakout lists up to 26 V and ±3.2 A measurement range.
What to print
Print an insulated carrier with terminal access and strain relief.
Before connecting it
  • Do not route a motor branch above the board or connector rating through this sensor.
  • Current monitoring does not replace a fuse, BMS or hardware cutoff.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Sensors & vision

Adafruit ADS1115 ADC product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit ADS1115 ADC

Read analog sensors on a host without suitable analog inputs.

$14.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
I2C; four single-ended or two differential channels, up to 860 samples/s.
Power
Observe supply, input and selected gain limits.
What to print
Print a protected sensor-board tray away from motor leads.
Before connecting it
  • 16-bit conversion does not imply 16-bit system accuracy.
  • Check sample rate across all channels against the feedback loop.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Sensors & vision

Adafruit HX711 load-cell ADC product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit HX711 load-cell ADC

Experiment with grip-force or weighing measurements using a separate load cell.

$9.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
Clock and data interface; 10 or 80 samples/s switch.
Power
Wire bridge excitation and analog/digital supplies per the breakout guide.
What to print
Print a test fixture that directs force through the load cell.
Before connecting it
  • A load cell is separate and must be sized for the force and overload case.
  • Calibrate after assembly; this is not a fast or safety-rated force controller.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Sensors & vision

Adafruit AS5600 magnetic angle sensor product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit AS5600 magnetic angle sensor

Measure a rotating shaft angle without a contacting potentiometer.

$5.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
I2C absolute-angle readings with a suitable rotating magnet.
Power
Follow the breakout supply and logic wiring; the magnet is passive.
What to print
Print a concentric magnet holder and adjustable sensor bracket.
Before connecting it
  • Check magnet polarity, alignment and air gap against the guide.
  • One-turn angle does not preserve multi-turn position through a power loss.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Compute & control

Adafruit MCP23017 GPIO expander product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit MCP23017 GPIO expander

Add digital inputs for buttons, limit switches and status signals.

$5.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
I2C; 16 digital GPIO and interrupt outputs.
Power
Use the documented 3 V or 5 V logic arrangement and total-current limits.
What to print
Print a connector panel with named switch channels.
Before connecting it
  • These pins are digital, not analog inputs or motor outputs.
  • I2C latency and shared-bus faults make this unsuitable as the only emergency-stop path.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Compute & control

Adafruit DS3231 RTC product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit DS3231 RTC

Keep timestamps for robot logs when network time is unavailable.

$17.50 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
I2C real-time clock with battery backup.
Power
A CR1220 coin cell is needed for backup and is sold separately.
What to print
Print a small carrier with accessible battery replacement.
Before connecting it
  • Set the clock and record the timezone convention before logging.
  • An RTC does not synchronize high-rate camera and IMU timestamps by itself.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Wiring & interfaces

Adafruit TCA9548A I2C multiplexer product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit TCA9548A I2C multiplexer

Connect multiple sensors that share a fixed I2C address.

$6.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
Eight selectable downstream I2C channels.
Power
Follow 3 V / 5 V wiring and pull-up requirements.
What to print
Print a cable comb and mounting plate for the eight branches.
Before connecting it
  • Software must select the correct channel before each sensor transaction.
  • It does not turn I2C into a long-distance or noise-immune field bus.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Wiring & interfaces

Adafruit PCA9546 QT multiplexer product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit PCA9546 QT multiplexer

Create a compact four-branch sensor hub with QT connectors.

$3.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
Four selectable I2C channels; STEMMA QT / Qwiic connectors.
Power
Confirm regulator jumper settings and downstream current budget.
What to print
Print a labelled four-port sensor junction enclosure.
Before connecting it
  • Cable compatibility does not resolve duplicate addresses without channel selection.
  • This board differs from the eight-channel TCA9548A; allocate ports before purchase.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Motor drivers

Adafruit DRV8871 motor driver product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit DRV8871 motor driver

Drive one brushed DC motor with a configurable current limit.

$7.50 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
Two logic inputs with PWM control.
Power
6.5 to 45 V motor supply; 3.6 A is a peak figure, not continuous board current.
What to print
Print a ventilated carrier with protected terminals.
Before connecting it
  • Check motor stall current and cooling before selecting the driver.
  • The supplied resistor sets roughly 2 A limiting; confirm the actual board configuration.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Motor drivers

Adafruit TB6612 dual motor driver product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit TB6612 dual motor driver

Control two small brushed motors or a suitable stepper.

$6.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
Direction, PWM and standby signals; two H-bridges.
Power
4.5 to 13.5 V motor rail; 2.7 to 5 V logic; 1.2 A per channel.
What to print
Print a board bracket with separate motor and logic cable routes.
Before connecting it
  • Short peak-current ratings do not cover a sustained stall.
  • It is not a suitable choice for a motor that needs a 3 V supply.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Sensors & vision

Adafruit BME280 environmental sensor product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit BME280 environmental sensor

Measure temperature, humidity and pressure on a sensing rover.

$14.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
I2C or SPI; use the breakout-specific pinout.
Power
Breakout includes regulation and level shifting for documented 3 V / 5 V use.
What to print
Print a vented shroud that shields the board without trapping heat.
Before connecting it
  • Keep the sensor away from regulator and processor heat.
  • Pressure-based altitude drifts with weather; it is not an absolute position reference.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Sensors & vision

Adafruit SCD-41 CO2 sensor product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Adafruit SCD-41 CO2 sensor

Measure CO2 for an environmental mapping experiment.

$49.95 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
I2C; true CO2 sensing rather than a VOC-derived estimate.
Power
Use the documented supply with low ripple and enough current for measurement peaks.
What to print
Print a ventilated mount away from warm electronics.
Before connecting it
  • Read calibration and compensation guidance before comparing rooms.
  • Allow settling time and log position; this is not a certified life-safety gas alarm.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Sensors & vision

MCP3008 eight-channel ADC product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

MCP3008 eight-channel ADC

Add basic analog channels to a small computer or controller.

$4.50 USD listed, component only

Interfaces
SPI; eight channels with 10-bit conversion.
Power
Match reference voltage, supply, logic and analog-input limits.
What to print
Print a carrier for a separately assembled breakout or prototyping board.
Before connecting it
  • This listing is a chip, not a ready-wired sensor board.
  • Budget a socket or PCB, decoupling and wiring; choose ADS1115 if its interface and resolution better fit.
Manufacturer product, wiring and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Adafruit buying notes

Motor drivers

ODrive Pro product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: ODrive Robotics

ODrive Pro

Single-axis controller for a custom brushless servo joint.

$229 USD listed, controller only

Interfaces
CAN, isolated UART and STEP/DIR; encoder integration.
Power
12 to 56 V operation. Size cooling, wiring and supply for the configured current.
What to print
Print cable guides around a separately specified heatsink or enclosure.
Before connecting it
  • No brake-resistor driver: follow the manufacturer battery or regen-clamp requirement.
  • Do not connect USB and DC input together without the specified USB isolator.
  • Motor, encoder, heat spreader and connectors are separate; verify current backorder timing.
Manufacturer product and integration informationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
ODrive Robotics buying notes

Sensors & vision

OAK-D Lite product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Luxonis

OAK-D Lite

Add RGB and stereo-depth perception to a research robot.

$269 USD listed, camera only

Interfaces
USB 2 / USB 3 and DepthAI; choose auto-focus or fixed-focus variant.
Power
USB carries power and data; check host delivery and cable requirements.
What to print
Print a rigid mount that leaves the stereo cameras unobstructed.
Before connecting it
  • Confirm USB bandwidth, host software and required depth range.
  • Allow for cable and enclosure costs; do not confuse Lite with OAK-D Pro.
Manufacturer product and integration informationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Luxonis buying notes

Grippers & tooling

Robotiq 2F-85 product view
Manufacturer 2F gripper family image, including 2F-85 and 2F-140; this entry covers 2F-85.Image: Robotiq

Robotiq 2F-85

Adaptive two-finger gripper for research and industrial manipulation.

Request a gripper and integration-kit quote

Interfaces
Use the robot-specific integration kit or documented industrial interface.
Power
Confirm supply, cabling and controller requirements for the selected kit.
What to print
Prototype custom fingertips and part nests before qualifying their grip.
Before connecting it
  • A matching flange does not establish software or electrical compatibility.
  • Include gripper mass, fingertip geometry and acceleration in payload calculations.
Manufacturer product and integration informationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Robotiq buying notes

Grippers & tooling

OnRobot RG2 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: OnRobot

OnRobot RG2

Two-finger gripper for variable part shapes and handling experiments.

Request a gripper and integration-kit quote

Interfaces
Robot integration depends on the OnRobot interface and adapter package.
Power
Confirm the tool power and connection arrangement with the selected robot.
What to print
Prototype task-specific fingers and handling fixtures within manufacturer limits.
Before connecting it
  • RG2 and RG2-FT are different products; do not assume force/torque sensing.
  • Confirm tool changer, adapter, controller software and mounting hardware in the quote.
Manufacturer product and integration informationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
OnRobot buying notes

Compute & control

M5Stack CoreS3 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: M5Stack

M5Stack CoreS3

A packaged touchscreen controller for robot status, input and connected sensor experiments.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
ESP32-S3, dual-core LX7; 16 MB flash, 8 MB PSRAM
Software
Arduino, ESP-IDF and UIFlow2
Interfaces
USB-C, expansion bus and HY2.0 ports; onboard camera, IMU and audio.
Power
Use USB or the documented DinBase power input. The base input range does not apply to GPIO.
What to print
Print a console mount with access to ports, reset and the screen.
Before connecting it
  • Check pin allocation before attaching Units; onboard devices already use several buses.
  • This runs firmware, not Raspberry Pi OS or a desktop ROS installation.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
M5Stack buying notes

Compute & control

M5Stack AtomS3 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: M5Stack

M5Stack AtomS3

Tiny display and IMU controller for a robot joint status panel or local sensor node.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
ESP32-S3FN8, dual-core LX7; 8 MB flash
Software
Arduino, ESP-IDF and UIFlow2
Interfaces
USB-C, HY2.0 port, GPIO and 0.85-inch display.
Power
5 V USB input; follow 3.3 V GPIO limits.
What to print
Print a compact mount with screen visibility and cable strain relief.
Before connecting it
  • AtomS3, AtomS3 Lite and AtomS3R have different hardware; match the exact SKU.
  • Shared I2C pins and onboard devices constrain expansion choices.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
M5Stack buying notes

Compute & control

M5Stack StickC-Plus2 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: M5Stack

M5Stack StickC-Plus2

Battery-powered display controller for a small teleoperation or motion-sensing experiment.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
ESP32-PICO-V3-02; 8 MB flash, 2 MB PSRAM
Software
Arduino, ESP-IDF and UIFlow
Interfaces
USB-C, HY2.0, HAT connector, IMU, buttons and 1.14-inch screen.
Power
5 V USB input with an internal 200 mAh battery.
What to print
Print a handheld grip or removable robot-side mount.
Before connecting it
  • Plan a communication-loss timeout before using wireless commands for motion.
  • Check HAT pin maps and battery runtime with your actual peripherals.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
M5Stack buying notes

Compute & control

M5Stack Atom-Lite product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: M5Stack

M5Stack Atom-Lite

Compact controller for a simple connected sensor or actuator interface.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
ESP32-PICO-D4; 4 MB flash
Software
Arduino, ESP-IDF and UIFlow
Interfaces
USB-C, GPIO, HY2.0, RGB LED and button.
Power
USB input and 3.3 V logic; motors need a separate driver and supply.
What to print
Print a small socket around its mounting point and connector access.
Before connecting it
  • Atom-Lite does not include the display and IMU of AtomS3.
  • Check reserved and boot-related pins before selecting outputs.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
M5Stack buying notes

Compute & control

Espressif ESP32-DevKitC V4 product view
Manufacturer annotated DevKitC V4 board view.Image: Espressif

Espressif ESP32-DevKitC V4

General-purpose Wi-Fi controller for learning embedded robot interfaces.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
ESP32 module; confirm the WROOM variant
Software
ESP-IDF; Arduino core where supported
Interfaces
USB-to-UART, GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART and PWM.
Power
Use one documented power source; GPIO is 3.3 V logic.
What to print
Print a breadboard or screw-mounted development tray.
Before connecting it
  • DevKitC clones and module variants can have different pinouts and memory.
  • Wireless tasks can affect timing; isolate critical motion behavior from network handling.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Espressif Systems buying notes

Compute & control

Espressif ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 product view
Manufacturer DevKitC-1 v1.1 image; module memory variants differ.Image: Espressif

Espressif ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1

Controller for USB, connected interfaces and bounded embedded vision experiments.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
ESP32-S3; flash and PSRAM depend on module suffix
Software
ESP-IDF; supported Arduino ESP32 core
Interfaces
USB, GPIO, serial buses and Wi-Fi / Bluetooth LE.
Power
Use the board power arrangement documented for its revision; 3.3 V GPIO.
What to print
Print a carrier that leaves both USB ports and antenna clear.
Before connecting it
  • Select the exact memory SKU; PSRAM is not implied by the board-family name.
  • Some memory configurations reserve additional GPIO; consult the matching pin map.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Espressif Systems buying notes

Compute & control

Espressif ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1 v1.2 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Espressif

Espressif ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1 v1.2

Wireless sensor node for Wi-Fi 6 and 802.15.4 experiments around a robot.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
ESP32-C6, RISC-V; 8 MB flash on the documented board
Software
ESP-IDF with board-revision matching documentation
Interfaces
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE and IEEE 802.15.4; USB and GPIO.
Power
5 V input regulation to 3.3 V; check the selected USB/power path.
What to print
Print an antenna-clear sensor-node case with reset access.
Before connecting it
  • Protocol capability does not supply a complete Thread or Zigbee application.
  • C6 is not a pin-for-pin or software-identical replacement for S3.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Espressif Systems buying notes

Compute & control

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

Small Linux computer for lightweight robot networking and camera tasks.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
Quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A53
Software
Raspberry Pi OS / Linux
Interfaces
Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, USB OTG, camera connector and unpopulated GPIO header.
Power
Use a suitable regulated 5 V supply; allow for USB peripherals.
What to print
Print a lightweight ventilated mount with the correct camera-cable opening.
Before connecting it
  • Limited memory constrains vision workloads; measure the actual program.
  • Budget microSD, headers, adapters and the Zero camera cable.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Compute & control

Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Adafruit

Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W

Wireless microcontroller for local sensor reading and timed control tasks.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
RP2350; dual Cortex-M33 or dual Hazard3 at 150 MHz
Software
C/C++ SDK or MicroPython
Interfaces
PIO, PWM, I2C, SPI, UART, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Power
Use the documented board input and 3.3 V signal levels; no direct motor power.
What to print
Print a slim board carrier with antenna clearance.
Before connecting it
  • Pico 2 W runs firmware, not Linux. The non-W Pico 2 has no onboard wireless.
  • Choose a supported wireless stack and test timing under network load.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Compute & control

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 product view
Manufacturer Compute Module 5 image; memory, storage and wireless configurations differ.Image: Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5

System-on-module for a robot that needs a custom carrier and integrated compute.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
BCM2712, quad-core Cortex-A76 at 2.4 GHz
Software
Linux with a matching carrier-board configuration
Interfaces
Carrier exposes selected PCIe, USB, MIPI, Ethernet and GPIO interfaces.
Power
Power and cooling are carrier-design responsibilities; follow CM5 design documents.
What to print
Print a case for the complete carrier assembly and cooler, not the bare module alone.
Before connecting it
  • Select RAM, eMMC and wireless options explicitly.
  • A module-only price excludes the carrier, storage choices, cooling and connectors.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Compute & control

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B product view
4 GB Model B shown; memory options vary.Image: Adafruit

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

Linux host for existing robot software, USB devices and supported camera pipelines.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
BCM2711, quad-core Cortex-A72
Software
Raspberry Pi OS / Linux
Interfaces
USB, Ethernet, wireless, GPIO and camera/display connectors.
Power
Use an appropriate USB-C 5 V supply and cooling for sustained workloads.
What to print
Print a case sized to Pi 4 ports rather than reusing a Pi 5 case.
Before connecting it
  • Choose RAM around measured workload and check software image support.
  • GPIO is 3.3 V and does not replace a motor controller.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.

Compute & control

Arduino Nano ESP32 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Arduino

Arduino Nano ESP32

Compact Arduino-form-factor controller for connected robot peripherals.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
u-blox NORA-W106 module with ESP32-S3
Software
Arduino IDE or MicroPython
Interfaces
USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE and Nano-format GPIO.
Power
Follow the Nano ESP32 3.3 V I/O specification, not classic Nano 5 V assumptions.
What to print
Print a small controller tray with USB-C access.
Before connecting it
  • Arduino pin numbers and ESP32 GPIO numbers can differ; match the selected numbering mode.
  • Check library support for the ESP32 architecture rather than assuming AVR compatibility.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Arduino buying notes

Compute & control

Arduino UNO R4 WiFi product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Arduino

Arduino UNO R4 WiFi

UNO-format controller for local I/O with a separate wireless coprocessor.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
Renesas RA4M1 Cortex-M4, with ESP32-S3 for connectivity
Software
Arduino IDE and UNO R4 board support
Interfaces
UNO headers, USB-C, CAN controller, DAC and LED matrix.
Power
RA4M1 GPIO is 5 V; use level shifting for 3.3 V-only peripherals.
What to print
Print a shield-friendly case with accessible USB and power connectors.
Before connecting it
  • Its main application processor is the RA4M1, not the ESP32-S3.
  • CAN requires a suitable external transceiver; a controller peripheral is not the full bus interface.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Arduino buying notes

Compute & control

PJRC Teensy 4.1 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: PJRC

PJRC Teensy 4.1

Fast microcontroller for timing, signal processing and multiple robot interfaces.

Select exact board variant and region for current price

Processor
Arm Cortex-M7 at 600 MHz
Software
Arduino IDE with Teensy boards support
Interfaces
PWM, serial buses, CAN controllers, USB host/device and microSD.
Power
Follow 3.3 V I/O limits; these pins are not 5 V tolerant.
What to print
Print a carrier with clearance for the microSD slot and added headers.
Before connecting it
  • CAN transceivers and Ethernet connection hardware are separate integration needs.
  • High clock speed does not establish a safe motion loop; validate timing and fault handling.
Manufacturer board specifications and documentationChecked Sep 6, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
PJRC buying notes

Compute & control

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Sense product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Seeed Studio

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Sense

Compact camera and microphone controller for local sensing and robot-interface experiments.

Check current Sense kit price and camera revision

Processor
ESP32-S3R8; 8 MB PSRAM and 8 MB flash
Software
Arduino and ESP-IDF examples; firmware rather than a Linux host
Interfaces
USB-C, GPIO, UART, I2C and SPI; Sense expansion adds camera, microphone and microSD.
Power
USB-C 5 V input; use the documented battery circuit and GPIO electrical limits.
What to print
A ventilated camera mount with access to USB, buttons and the expansion connector.
Before connecting it
  • The standard S3 board and Sense expansion are different packages. Confirm the included camera: the wiki documents OV2640 replacement by OV3660.
  • Camera firmware, thermal behavior and wiring must match the selected revision. Use separate actuator power and drivers.
Seeed getting-started guide and specificationsChecked Sep 7, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Seeed Studio buying notes

Compute & control

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C6 product view
Supplier product image; confirm the selected variant and included accessories.Image: Seeed Studio

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C6

A small connected controller for sensor nodes, telemetry and robot accessories.

Check the current board and regional price

Processor
ESP32-C6; RISC-V high-performance core up to 160 MHz, low-power core up to 20 MHz; 4 MB flash
Software
Arduino and ESP-IDF workflows; choose a supported wireless stack
Interfaces
USB-C, UART, I2C, SPI and GPIO; 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6, BLE and IEEE 802.15.4 radio.
Power
USB-C 5 V input or documented 3.7 V battery connection; respect GPIO limits.
What to print
A removable electronics carrier with antenna clearance and cable strain relief.
Before connecting it
  • Thread, Zigbee and Matter behavior requires suitable firmware and a compatible network; radio support alone is not a finished robot integration.
  • Follow the pin map, antenna-selection and battery guidance. Do not connect motors directly to GPIO.
Seeed getting-started guide and specificationsChecked Sep 7, 2026. Source-based, not hardware-tested.
Seeed Studio buying notes

Store links currently go directly to official sites. Our selections are based on usefulness and documentation. How we are funded

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