Create Your Own Bot (CYOBot) v2 is an open-source, modular robotics platform for students, educators, hobbyists, and future engineers based on the ESP32-S3 microcontroller and featuring up to 16 servo motors for complex control.
The CYOBot v2 is a follow-up to the previous quadrupedal robotic platform from the same company. It adds new features such as a modular design, an upgrade to the ESP32-S3 chip, more motor channels, and an expansion block with more peripherals. It also supports integrating AI systems, such as ChatGPT, for added functionality.
The CYOBot supports up to three configurations via the CYOBrain — which powers the robotics platform and controls the servo motors — and separate 3D-printed components. The CYOBot Crawler is a four-legged robot powered by eight 180-degree servo motors. The CYOBot Wheeler form factor features four 360-degree motors linked to wheels at the end of each leg and is essentially a hybrid between a traditional wheeled robot and a quadruped walker. Finally, the CYOBot Game Console configuration only functions as a console with four buttons and two joysticks.
Design-specific electronics are separated from the main board (CYOBrain) to make it easy to switch between different designs. We have covered similar robotics kits such as the EVN Alpha, MakeBlock mBot Neo, and Arduino Alvik.
CYOBrain specifications:
- Wireless MCU – ESP32-S3
- CPU – dual-core XTensa LX7 microcontroller @ 240MHz
- Memory – 8MB PSRAM
- Storage – 8MB flash
- Wireless – 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE)
- Storage – MicroSD card reader
- Motor Driver – PCA9685 PWM driver
- Servo control – 16x servo control channels
- Audio
- I2S speaker with audio codec (ES8311)
- I2S dual microphones with audio ADC (ES7210)
- Extension Block
- I2C, UART, SPI
- 4x GPIOs (2 PWM)
- Power pins (5V, 3.3V, battery)
- Misc – 33x NeoPixel LED matrix, 12x NeoPixel LED ring, 2x buttons, IMU (gyroscope and accelerometer)
- Battery
- USB-C Charger
- 2S 18650 LiPo Battery rated 7.2V
CYOBot Crawler/Wheeler specifications:
- I/O – 8 servo motors
- Motor (Crawler) – 8x 180 degrees, stall torque 2.0kg/cm (4.8V), 0.11 seconds/60 degrees (4.8V)
- Motor (Wheeler)
- 4 x 180 degrees, stall torque 2.0kg/cm (4.8V), 0.11 seconds/60 degrees (4.8V)
- 4 x 180 degrees, stall torque 2.0kg/cm (4.8V), 0.11 seconds/60 degrees (4.8V)
The ESP32-S3-based modular robotics platform is designed to be accessible to users with varying levels of experience and supports block-based programming, MicroPython, Arduino, and C++. The developer dashboard RoboticsQuest features customized learning paths with “1,000 projects covering embedded systems, control, machine learning/AI, robotics, IoT, and more.” The platform is reportedly open-source, and several hardware and software files from the earlier version are available on GitHub, but the “CYOBot-v2” is currently empty. You can find some PDF schematics for the current version, CYOBot v2, on Hackaday.
The CYOBot v2 crowdfunding campaign is currently live on Kickstarter. Rewards include a $99 Brain for Builder set, a $129 Console Prebuilt Robot, a $169 Crawler Prebuilt Robot, a $169 Wheeler Prebuilt Robot, and several other kits and bundles. All offers include access to the online educational dashboard and are expected to ship by January 2025, although interested buyers can pay $25 extra for “Xmas Shipping.”
Via Hackster.io
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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