How to build Bambot
15-DoF mobile manipulator · Intermediate
Bambot pairs a LeKiwi-style three-omni-wheel base with two SO-100-style arms on 15 STS3215 servos, with browser control at bambot.org. BOM is about $300.
Some soldering, calibration and Linux comfort needed.
Our estimate, part-time
About $300, per the hardware README
Apache-2.0
What is Bambot?
Bambot, by Tim Qian, is a cheap AI robot that puts two SO-100-style arms on a holonomic base with three omni wheels. All 15 joints are Feetech STS3215 serial-bus servos.
Its best feature is the browser playground at bambot.org, where you can drive it from a keyboard, a leader arm or chat. A companion lerobot-bambot stack records and replays demonstrations.
The BOM comes to about $300, though two cable rows only have Taobao prices.
Bambot specifications
- DoF
- 15 (12 arm, 3 wheel)
- Servos
- STS3215 12 V
- Base
- 3× 4" omni wheels
Figures as published by the project. See Sources below.
Bill of materials
| Part | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| STS3215 servo (12 V) | 15 | |
| Motor control board | 1 | |
| 4" omni wheel | 3 | |
| M2/M3/M4 screw set | 1 | |
| 5264 3-pin cables (1000 and 400 mm) | 2 | |
| USB-C to DC cable (12 V/5 V) | 1 |
Where's the full bill of materials?
The full BOM, with exact quantities and vendors, lives in the project's own files. Prices change often, so treat $300 as a ballpark from the project. Start at the project repository.
Tools you'll need
- FDM printer
- Screwdrivers
- A Chromium browser (for WebSerial)
Step-by-step build overview
Electronics & wiring overview
One Feetech serial bus links all servos to the control board, which connects to the computer over USB.
Software
The project ships its own firmware and control code. See the repository for setup.
The bambot.org web playground plus lerobot-bambot (Apache-2.0).
Tips from the bench
- ☕ Label each servo with its ID, because swapped IDs make the arm move unpredictably.
Bambot FAQ
How much does Bambot cost?
About $300 in parts.
Sources
Written by Bots n' Beans from the project's own documentation. Check the sources for the latest revision before you buy parts.
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