How to build ElectronBot
6-DoF desk companion robot · Intermediate
Build ElectronBot: a 6-DoF desktop robot with a round USB display face, STM32 boards, feedback-modded servos, a camera and a Unity companion app.
Some soldering, calibration and Linux comfort needed.
Our estimate, part-time
Price the BOM yourself
GPL-3.0
What is ElectronBot?
ElectronBot is a palm-sized desktop robot by Peng Zhihui (稚晖君), styled after EVE from WALL-E. Its round face is a USB display that shows images streamed from a PC, so it can emote, play video or mirror an app.
It has six degrees of freedom: roll and pitch on each arm, plus neck and waist. The tiny hobby servos inside are gutted and rebuilt with a custom STM32F0 board so each one gives angle feedback over I²C.
The repo is a complete electronics project: Altium schematics and Gerbers for five boards, STM32 firmware, a Windows SDK and the Unity-based ElectronBot Studio app, all under GPL-3.0. There's no BOM, so plan to source parts from the schematics.
ElectronBot specifications
- DoF
- 6
- Display
- GC9A01 round LCD
- Main MCU
- STM32F405 with USB3300 high-speed PHY
- Servo boards
- STM32F042 per servo, I²C
- Sensors
- USB camera, gesture sensor, MPU6050
Figures as published by the project. See Sources below.
Bill of materials
| Part | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Micro hobby servo, rebuilt | 6 | |
| ServoDrive board (STM32F042 + motor driver) | 6 | |
| Head board (STM32F405, GC9A01 screen) | 1 | |
| Sensor board (gesture, USB hub, MPU6050) and USB camera | 1 | |
| Base board with USB-C and FFC link | 1 | |
| Printed or resin shell | — | From the STEP assembly |
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 Not published as a ballpark. Start at the project repository.
Tools you'll need
- Fine-pitch soldering setup (hot air)
- ST-Link programmer
- Resin or fine FDM printer
- Windows PC
Step-by-step build overview
Electronics & wiring overview
One USB-C cable carries power and data. A hub on the sensor board splits it between the camera and the head MCU, which streams frames to the screen and talks to the servos over I²C.
Software
The project ships its own firmware and control code. See the repository for setup.
STM32 firmware, a C++ Windows SDK and the Unity ElectronBot Studio app for animating poses and streaming the screen.
Tips from the bench
- ☕ Assembly is fine-pitch work; it isn't a beginner soldering project.
- ☕ Fusion 360 sources are shared off-repo if you need to edit the shell.
ElectronBot FAQ
What does ElectronBot do?
It's an expressive desktop companion: it moves its arms, head and body and shows images streamed over USB on its round face.
Is there a parts list?
No BOM is published; parts come from the schematics.
What license is it?
GPL-3.0 for the whole repo.
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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