How many axes do I need?

Four axes can pick and place. Six let you set the tool's angle freely.

Arduino robot arm guide

An Arduino arm is a great first build. Here is what to plan for.

Updated November 2, 2026

Hobby servos are cheap and simple to drive. Steppers with drivers give more torque and repeatability but need more wiring.

Never power several servos from the Arduino's 5V pin. Use a separate supply sized for all motors, with a shared ground.

Start with forward kinematics, then add inverse kinematics so you can move the gripper to an X, Y, Z point.

AR4 MK5 CAD models (SolidWorks & STEP files)
Annin Robotics · USA
$99 · Buy now
Every AR4 MK5 part in SolidWorks and STEP, plus the full robot assembly. $99 from Annin Robotics.
xArm 1S
Hiwonder · China
From $199.99 · Buy now
A low-cost bus-servo arm for learning to program.
ArmPi FPV
Hiwonder · China
From $299.99 · Buy now
Raspberry Pi vision arm with a camera on the gripper.
DOFBOT
Yahboom · China
From $329 · Buy now
A Raspberry Pi vision arm that runs ROS 2.
myPalletizer 260 Pi
Elephant Robotics · China
$649 · Buy now
A 4-axis palletizing arm small enough for a desk.
myCobot 280 Pi
Elephant Robotics · China
$799 · Buy now
Elephant’s small 6-axis arm with a Raspberry Pi built into the base.
mechArm 270 Pi
Elephant Robotics · China
$799 · Buy now
Elephant’s most compact 6-axis arm.
DexArm
Rotrics · China
From $799 · Buy now
A 4-axis desktop arm sold in kits with add-on modules.