The company Hugging Face has presented an open source project that enables tech-savvy users to produce a functional robotic arm largely by themselves using the 3D printing process. The model is called SO-101 and is based on the previous version SO-100. The design data and all the necessary information for implementation are freely accessible via a GitHub page.
Users can produce the basic structure of the arm in its entirety using standard FDM printers. They only need to procure the electronics and drive components – including servo motors, microcontrollers and connecting elements – separately. According to the manufacturer, building the arm can cost between 100 and 500 US dollars, depending on the extent of in-house production and the origin of the parts.
The SO-101 is compatible with existing open source ecosystems such as LeRobot or Pollen Robotics. For users who already have corresponding control or programming interfaces in use, the arm can therefore be seamlessly integrated. The modular design also facilitates maintenance and expansion. Depending on the configuration, the arm can be used for simple pick-and-place tasks or as a platform for AI-based interaction.
With this project, Hugging Face is not targeting industrial applications, but rather makers, educational institutions and development teams who want to realize practical robotics projects on a small budget. Access to the design data enables individual adaptations and promotes open development in the field of robotic mechanics.
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