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Intermediate build

How to build TRLC-DK1

7-DoF desktop robot arm · Intermediate

TRLC-DK1 by The Robot Learning Company: an open leader-follower arm dev kit for AI-native robotics, with LeRobot plugin support and published STEP CAD.

Start the buildProject files
Difficulty
Intermediate

Some soldering, calibration and Linux comfort needed.

Build time
2–4 weekends

Our estimate, part-time

Parts cost
Not published

Price the BOM yourself

Degrees of freedom
7

Apache-2.0

What is TRLC-DK1?

TRLC-DK1 is The Robot Learning Company's developer kit for AI-native robotics. It pairs a follower arm with a leader arm for teleoperation and collecting training data.

The software follows LeRobot's plugin conventions, so once it's installed in the same environment, LeRobot discovers dk1_follower and dk1_leader automatically. The follower (v0.3.0) and leader (v0.2.0) CAD are published, and kits are also sold.

TRLC-DK1 specifications

Configuration
Leader + follower
Software
LeRobot plugin
CAD
Follower v0.3.0, leader v0.2.0
License
Apache-2.0 (repo)

Figures as published by the project. See Sources below.

Bill of materials

PartQtyNotes
Follower parts—v0.3.0 CAD
Leader parts—v0.2.0 CAD
Cameras—As used in the examples
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

  • Hex keys
  • Linux PC with uv

Step-by-step build overview

Electronics & wiring overview

Both arms connect over USB serial, and the cameras are standard OpenCV devices.

DC power supplypower sourceLaptop / PChigh-level controlcamerasensingMicrocontrollerreal-time controllerServo bus adapterdrivers / busDynamixel XL330 servos7 joints / motors
PowerData / commandsSensor feedbackOverview only. Follow the project's own schematic for pinouts and voltages.

Software

LeRobotPythonURDF model

LeRobot plugin. Documentation is at docs.robot-learning.co.

Tips from the bench

  • ☕ Install it in the same environment as LeRobot.

TRLC-DK1 FAQ

Does it work with LeRobot?

Yes. It registers its robot and teleop types through the plugin system.

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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