EricYufengWu/q8bot

What it solves

Building a capable quadruped robot usually means dealing with messy wires, bulky frames, and high costs that put it out of reach for hobbyists, students, and researchers. Q8bot tackles this by shrinking the entire robot to the size and weight of a modern smartphone, eliminating all cables and wires — every component plugs directly into a central PCB. This design reduces complexity, lowers weight, and cuts cost (roughly $300–$400 for the bill of materials), making advanced dynamic locomotion more accessible for education, swarm robotics research, or just a fun engineering project.

How it works

Q8bot is a miniature quadruped with four legs that can perform dynamic movements like walking, trotting, bounding, and jumping. Its key innovation is the "PCB spine": a central printed circuit board that serves as both the structural backbone and the electrical hub. All motors, sensors, and other components plug straight into this PCB, so there are no loose wires to route or manage. The repository provides complete open-source hardware files — STEP, STL, Gerber, schematics, bill of materials (BOM), and step-by-step build instructions — so you can source parts, assemble the robot, and set up the software yourself. You can also order a fully assembled PCB from PCBWay using the provided project page, which streamlines the manufacturing step.

Who it’s for

This project is aimed at robotics enthusiasts, students, educators, and researchers who want a hands-on, low-cost platform for learning about legged robotics, developing control algorithms, or running swarm robotics experiments. It is also suitable for hobbyists looking for a fun build-and-play engineering challenge. The README invites builders to share photos and videos, encouraging a community of users.

Highlights

• 100% open source: all CAD, STL, PCB design files, schematics, BOM, and assembly instructions are included in the repository.
• Cable-free design: every component plugs directly into the central PCB, eliminating wiring complexity and reducing weight and cost.
• Capable of dynamic gaits: walking, trotting, bounding, and jumping, as demonstrated in published videos and papers.
• Cost-effective: bill of materials (BOM) is roughly $300–$400, without optimization.
• Academic backing: published at IROS 2025 and UR 2025, and supported by the UCLA Robotics and Mechanisms Lab (RoMeLa).
• Build-friendly: includes detailed instructions for sourcing, assembly, and software setup, plus an option to order a pre-assembled PCB from PCBWay.