Pivot
A robotic art piece with 3D-printed parts, LX-16A servos, and MicroPython files for an ESP32.
Project documentation
Before you build
Five answers, each linked to its source
What does it cost?
About $466BOM grand total
The README gives an approximate grand total of $466. README
Can I sell what I build?
Yes, with creditCommercial use OK, with credit
Hardware GPL-3.0 · Software GPL-3.0. Licensing source
What’s open?
3 of 6CAD: AvailableBOM: AvailablePCB: Not documentedCode: AvailableSim: Not documentedGuide: Not documented
PCB, sim, guide not documented. All six files
Is it maintained?
Not documented
No activity snapshot yet. Activity
01 / Under the shell
The specifications.
Hardware, build and software on one sheet. Every fact links to where we found it.
Pivot is an open-source robotic art piece. Its bill of materials lists 3D-printed parts, LX-16A servos, an ESP32 DevKit, and a joystick. The README says to upload the MicroPython files to the ESP32.
Hardware
- Actuators
- 15 · LX-16A servos README
- Build
- 3D-printed · Printed parts are listed as STL files. Documentation
Building it
- Printed parts
- The README lists tip.STL, fingerA.STL, knuckle.STL, palm.STL, mid.STL, and base.STL. 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 | STL files for the listed printed parts are public. | Not documented | 3Dmodels/ |
| Bill of materials | Available | A component BOM is available. | Not documented | BOM.csv |
| Electronics | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | No source found |
| Code | Available | MicroPython files are provided for upload to the ESP32. | Not documented | MicroPython/ |
| Simulation model | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | No source found |
| Assembly guide | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | No source found |
03 / Know before you build
Can you sell it?
Yes, with creditCommercial use OK, with credit
The whole repository, design files included, is GPL-3.0. Commercial use is allowed if you keep the maker’s copyright and license notices. Changes you distribute must be shared under the same license.
- Hardware
- GPL-3.0
- Software
- GPL-3.0
04 / The upstream project
Is it maintained?
Not documentedRepository activity is not documented
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.
Kit availability is not documented in our reviewed sources.
06 / Side by side
Compare with other hands & grippers.
The three hands & grippers with the closest documented maker’s cost. Same sources, same rules.
| Robot | Cost | Open files | Can I sell it? | Runs on | Maintained | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PivotThis robotneutronztar | About $466BOM grand total | 3 of 6 | Yes, with creditHW GPL-3.0 · SW GPL-3.0 | ESP32 | Not documented | — |
| Aero Hand OpenChestnut Robotics | $314complete kit | 6 of 6 | NoHW CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 · SW Apache-2.0 | ROS 2MuJoCoPython | ActiveSep 15, 2026 | 1,054 |
| UMI-3DPhysical-Intelligence-Laboratory | About CN¥5,000target total cost | 4 of 6 | YesHW Apache-2.0 · SW Apache-2.0 | ROS 1 | QuietJun 24, 2026 | 131 |
| AmazingHandPollen Robotics | Under €200hand, before controller | 5 of 6 | Yes, with creditHW CC BY 4.0 · SW Apache-2.0 | PythonArduinoMuJoCo | QuietApr 3, 2026 | 2,462 |
| This robotPivot | Aero Hand Open | UMI-3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| About $466 | $314 | About CN¥5,000 |
| Can I sell it? | ||
| Yes, with credit | No | Yes |
| Open files | ||
| 3 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Runs on | ||
| ESP32 | ROS 2, MuJoCo, Python, ESP32 | ROS 1 |
| Maintained | ||
| Not documented | ActiveSep 15, 2026 | QuietJun 24, 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 6f426fc. Websites and papers are listed with their review dates.
- 01README.md at 6f426fcReviewed Nov 1, 2026
- 02LICENSE at 6f426fcReviewed Nov 1, 2026
- 03KiCad/claw/gerbers/BOM.csv at 6f426fcReviewed Nov 1, 2026