Microban
A compact humanoid built from 3D-printed parts and Dynamixel servomotors for robotics learning and experimentation.
Project documentationBefore you build
Five answers, each linked to its source
What does it cost?
About $567Microban robot
The BOM states that a Microban robot costs approximately $567. bom.md
Can I sell what I build?
NoNon-commercial hardware
Hardware CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 · Software GNU GPL v3. Licensing source
What’s open?
5 of 6CAD: AvailableBOM: AvailablePCB: AvailableCode: AvailableSim: Not documentedGuide: Available
Sim not documented. All six files
What does it run on?
Simulation: Not documented. Software
Is it maintained?
Active
Latest activity Oct 30, 2026 · main repo last commit Sep 10, 2026 · 213 commits in the last 52 weeks · 1 contributors Activity
01 / Under the shell
The specifications.
Hardware, build and software on one sheet. Every fact links to where we found it.
Microban is a humanoid robot about 30 cm tall, built from 3D-printed parts and 19 Dynamixel servomotors. Its design files are provided in STL and STEP formats, with an Onshape assembly, and the project describes it as a platform for learning and experimentation in robotics.
Hardware
- Actuators
- 19 · Dynamixel XL330-M288-T servomotors README
- Build
- 3D-printed · PLA Documentation
- Height
- About 30 cm README
- Servomotors
- 19 Dynamixel XL330-M288-T README
- Controller
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2W README
Building it
Software & simulation
- Runs on
- Raspberry Pi
- Control
- The usage guide describes controlling the robot with a keyboard or gamepad. README
02 / The files behind the robot
What’s open.
Six parts of the build, each checked separately. Gaps stay visible.
| Part | Status | What’s there | License | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD | Available | Printable parts are provided in STL and STEP formats, with a public Onshape assembly. | Not documented | cad/ |
| Bill of materials | Available | A detailed bill of materials is available. | Not documented | bom.md |
| Electronics | Available | The RPI Robot Hat design files are available on GitHub. | Not documented | github.com |
| Code | Available | The project identifies its source code as software licensed under GNU GPL v3. | GNU GPL v3 | src/ |
| Simulation model | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | No source found |
| Assembly guide | Available | Step-by-step assembly instructions are provided. | Not documented | assembly.md |
03 / Know before you build
Can you sell it?
NoNon-commercial hardware
The design files are CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, which restricts them to non-commercial use. Selling robots or parts made from the design needs the maker’s permission. Changes you distribute must be shared under the same license. The code is GNU GPL v3.
- Hardware
- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
- Software
- GNU GPL v3
04 / The upstream project
Is it maintained?
ActiveLatest activity Oct 30, 2026, 0 days before the snapshot
The main repository’s last commit was Sep 10, 2026.
- Stars
- 645
- Forks
- 113
- Contributors
- 1
- Latest release
- v1.0.0 · Jul 6, 2026
Snapshot captured Oct 30, 2026. Recorded figures, not live metrics. Active: activity within 90 days of the snapshot. Quiet: within a year. Dormant: longer.
05 / Parts & kits
A head start.
Maker-listed sellers only. No affiliate links or paid placement.
MAKER’S COST
About $567
Microban robot
The BOM states that a Microban robot costs approximately $567.
bom.mdKit availability is not documented in our reviewed sources.
06 / Side by side
Compare with other humanoids.
The three humanoids with the closest documented maker’s cost. Same sources, same rules.
| Robot | Cost | Open files | Can I sell it? | Runs on | Maintained | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MicrobanThis robotMarc Duclusaud | About $567Microban robot | 5 of 6 | NoHW CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 · SW GNU GPL v3 | Raspberry Pi | ActiveOct 30, 2026 | 645 |
| Poppy Torsopoppy-project | €5,300complete kit | 4 of 6 | Yes, with creditHW Creative Commons BY-SA · SW GPL v3 | Python | DormantMar 24, 2022 | 51 |
| ToddlerBotHaochen Shi, C. Karen Liu et al. · Stanford | Under $6,000whole robot | 5 of 6 | NoHW CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 · SW MIT | MuJoCoPython | QuietApr 19, 2026 | 785 |
| Asimov 1menloresearch | $20,000DIY Kit | 3 of 6 | Yes, with creditHW CERN-OHL-S-2.0 · SW GPL-2.0 | MuJoCoRaspberry Pi | ActiveOct 30, 2026 | 1,373 |
| This robotMicroban | Poppy Torso | ToddlerBot |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| About $567 | €5,300 | Under $6,000 |
| Can I sell it? | ||
| No | Yes, with credit | No |
| Open files | ||
| 5 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Runs on | ||
| Raspberry Pi | Python | MuJoCo, Python |
| Maintained | ||
| ActiveOct 30, 2026 | DormantMar 24, 2022 | QuietApr 19, 2026 |
Upkeep is measured against each robot’s own snapshot. Costs keep the maker’s scope, so check what each figure covers.
See them in the table07 / Follow the evidence
Open books.
Repository files are pinned to commit d0a128d. Websites and papers are listed with their review dates.
- 01README.md at d0a128dReviewed Oct 30, 2026
- 02LICENSE at d0a128dReviewed Oct 30, 2026
- 03cad/LICENSE at d0a128dReviewed Oct 30, 2026
- 04docs/bom.md at d0a128dReviewed Oct 30, 2026