ODrive Micro is a high-performance servo motor drive from ODrive Robotics that comes in an ultra-compact, 32 x 32mm form factor. The controller provides up to 100W continuous power for driving brushless servo motors.
The ODrive Micro is the latest in a series of motor controllers from ODrive and builds on the company’s established software and hardware ecosystem. This includes support for CAN Bus, programming libraries, and a web-based graphic user interface for easy and intuitive setup.
The Micro features a CAN interface for daisy-chaining other controllers and an onboard 12-bit magnetic encoder for direct mounting without needing an external encoder. It also offers the option to mount hall, quadrature, and SPI external encoders via the J1 header on the board.
The ODrive Micro is aimed at robotics applications where space is premium, including hobbyist and professional use. It is similar to the Wukong 2040, ClearCore, and the Serial Bus Servo Driver HAT.
ODrive Micro specifications:
- Supported Motor Types – BLDC, PMAC
- Operation
- Commutation – FOC (field-oriented control)
- Voltage Range – 10 – 30V (32V max)
- Current – 3.5A continuous (7V peak)
- Power – 100W continuous (180W peak)
- Onboard 12-bit magnetic encoder
- Interfaces – USB-C, CAN
- Supports external hall, incremental, and SPI encoders
- Control modes – Torque, velocity, position, and trajectory
- Dimensions – 32 x 32 x 7.5 mm
- Mass – 6.8 grams
The ODrive Micro compares favorably to alternatives such as the Tinymovr M5.2, Moteus C1, and DENALI XCR-C. It is more affordable, compact, and offers extensive documentation.
It is also completely open-source. The schematics still need to be published but the CAD models are available on Onshape. The software suite, including the Python library, CAN communication protocols, Arduino sample code, and all other associated files will be made available after campaign orders have been fulfilled. Additional information is available in the datasheet for the Micro module and documentation (for older ODrive modules).
The Micro is currently live on CrowdSupply and the campaign has surpassed its funding goal with several days left. You can get the motor controller board for $79 ($89 once the campaign ends) and a shipping fee of $8 within the United States and $18 to the rest of the world. The company has also listed add-ons for sale, including a $39 USB-CAN adapter plus cable, a $16 USB isolator with cable, a $9 wire harness kit, and $6 CAN cables.
Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.
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This is not “completely open source”, from their GitHub: Firmware for the new generation of ODrives (ODrive Pro S1, Micro, etc.) is currently being actively maintained and developed, however its source code is currently not publicly available. Access may be available under NDA, please reach out to us for inquiries.
They are just (obviously?) quite obtuse about this on the crowdsupply page.
The article has been updated to reflect that. Thank you.
wtf
Moreover, -where did the drive transistors and their heatsinks go-, and -where is the torroid/capacitance electronic mass- an efficient drive might use? (Is it canon to just throw EMF back on the Vdrv rail?) Lots of alternatives to look over though thanks to Tomisin!