ZeroWire Robotics / Open-source quadruped
Meet Q8bot: a miniature quadruped built around DYNAMIXEL smart actuators and a central PCB. Four legs. Eight motors. A remarkably compact way to explore robot motion.
01 / A little robot with a lot of motion
The original Q8bot demonstrates dynamic walking, trotting, bounding, and jumping. See the real hardware in the creator’s footage.
02 / The ROBOTIS connection
Q8bot replaces an internal cable harness with direct connections to its central board. Explore the hardware ideas behind the platform.
DYNAMIXEL / Programmable motion
The original Q8bot build uses eight DYNAMIXEL XL330-M077-T smart actuators. Q8botOne’s campaign specifies eight DYNAMIXEL XL-series actuators.
Compact programmable actuators make this an approachable platform for exploring coordinated joint motion.
See the creator’s actuator selection ↗Zero wires / Direct integration
The internal components connect directly to the central printed circuit board, reducing cable clutter and simplifying the physical layout.
Q8botOne lists an ESP32-C3-MINI-N4, a Qwiic-compatible connector, and a UART interface for additional hardware.
Explore original Q8bot hardware files ↗Parallel linkages / Compact mechanics
Four parallel-linkage legs turn coordinated actuator motion into a range of quadruped behaviors.
Q8botOne uses MJF 3D-printed linkages and ball-bearing joints. The original project provides files and instructions for MJF or FDM builds.
See the original assembly guide ↗03 / Choose your starting point
Q8bot and Q8botOne are related platforms with different hardware revisions. Start with the resources that match your path.
Q8bot / The open-source project
For makers who want to source parts, print linkages, assemble hardware, and explore the code.
Q8botOne / By ZeroWire Robotics
The production-oriented successor is presented on Crowd Supply as an assembled robot with a pre-paired controller dongle. Like the original Q8bot, Q8botOne will remain fully open-source, including its hardware and software.
04 / Quick reference
Specifications below are labeled by platform. Q8botOne’s campaign remains the source for current production details and package contents.
| Actuators | 8 × DYNAMIXEL XL-series |
|---|---|
| Legs | MJF linkages with ball-bearing joints |
| Microcontroller | ESP32-C3-MINI-N4 |
| Battery | Rechargeable Li-ion with protection electronics |
| Expansion | Qwiic-compatible sensor connector |
|---|---|
| Co-processors | UART interface; up to 5 V, 3 A output |
| Controller | Pre-paired dongle with joystick and buttons |
| Connection | USB Type-C on the controller |
| Package | Assembled robot and controller dongle, as listed by the campaign |
| Actuator model | 8 × XL330-M077-T |
|---|---|
| Shown dimensions | 12 cm body length; 8 cm height in the pictured pose |
| Hardware files | CAD, STL, Gerber, and schematics in Releases |
| Software | Firmware and Python tools on GitHub |
| Instructions | Sourcing, assembly, and software setup guides |
Q8botOne will continue the original Q8bot’s fully open-source approach, with both hardware and software available to the community. ZeroWire Robotics plans to make Q8botOne’s design files and code public after the Crowd Supply campaign. Until then, the original Q8bot repository provides a reference for the types of resources to expect.
05 / Credit where it belongs
Q8bot was conceived and developed by Yufeng (Eric) Wu. Q8botOne is presented by ZeroWire Robotics, which builds miniature robots with wire-free construction and open architecture.
The original project acknowledges Dr. Dennis Hong and UCLA’s Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) for support in publishing the research.
ROBOTIS highlights this independently developed project as part of the DYNAMIXEL ecosystem. Robot design, project footage, and imagery are credited to their respective creators. Q8botOne campaign and ordering information are provided by ZeroWire Robotics through Crowd Supply.
Open-source robotics / Powered by DYNAMIXEL