3D Printed Humanoid Robot for Under 1000.00 USD

This idea was born from my first 3D printed Humanoid robot project. My 3D printed DARwIn-OP clone. I learned a lot when doing this project and I am still working on making this robot better. My project had one major flaw though. At 6000.00 to 7000.00 USD per robot few people could duplicate my project. After thinking about this problem and seeing the work being done on Jimmy the 21st century robot and the Robosavvy Humanoid Robot design contest. I decided to start this project. I also decided to break it down in steps to make it easier on myself.Step one: use as much off the shelf parts as I could to get the robot up and working.Step two: Find ways to improve the robot and make it cheaper.Step three: Experiment with and open source the project to see if other people could duplicate the project. As this was one of the major goals of the project. To make humanoid robots cheaper and more accessible to the public.

Step 1: Parts List and Where to Buy

Robot cost break down:





AX-12A servos (18x37.42 = 673.56)

CM-904a servo controller (1 x 15.00 = 15.00)

Raspberry Pi, high level brain (1 x 40.00 = 40.00)

Raspberry Pi camera, for vision (1 x 30.00 = 30.00)

11.1 volt battery (1 x 29.90 = 29.90)

Bioloid Bushing set (1 x 4.99 = 4.99)

Bioloid Bolt and Nut set (1 x 23.40 = 23.40)

3 pin Bioloid servo cable pack(1 x 34.90=34.90)


2.2 ibs spool of abs plastic (2 x 31.99 = 63.98)

Servo bracket STLs free download.

Control software free download.

Total for robot (915.73 USD)


Possible Upgrades:


GS-12 2-axis gyro Sensor (1x 34.90 = 34.90)

Zigbee 110 wireless module (1x49.90= 49.90)

Bioliod Boomerang remote control (1x39.90=39.90)

DMS-80 IR distance sensor (1x14.90=14.90)

IR sensor (3x5.95=17.85)







Link to buy.




CM-530 (1x99.90=99.90)

AX Dynmaixel servo manager kit (1x90.95=90.95)

3d printer (1,000 to 3,000 USD)

Link to Trossen's Robotics.

Link to Robotis

Link to the Afina

Step 2: 3D Printers

I use the UP! Plus 3d printer version 1.2 but you can use your favorite 3d printer or 3d printing service.

Step 3: Parts Files and Creating .STL Files

You can download most of the part files from the Robotis and Trossen websites or you can downloaded them from my Thingiverse page. I use AutoDesk Inventor to create my .STL files.

Thingiverse link

Bioloid link

Trossen link.

Step 4: Printing Parts

You can use your own 3d printer or a 3d printing service.

Step 5: Assembly the Robot

Step 6: Test the Robot

Step 7: Future Upgrades or Step 2

Add the Raspberry Pi and Pi camera to make the robot smarter.

Add sensors like IR and sonic for obstacle avoidance.

Zigbee for remote control.

Step 8: Make It Cheaper

Use the OpenCM controller instead of the CM-530. That will save almost 100.00 USD.

I am still working on this Instructable and will add more to this part in the future.

Step 9: Open Source the Design

I will use this Instructable and my Thingiverse page to update my changes and upgrades to this project.

Step 10: Conculsion

I am hoping that I can use the advances in cheap 3d printers and the increasing access to 3d printing services to make robots cheaper. Cheaper robots should then make robots more accessible to more and more people. Which is the main goal of this project.