Menlo Research’s Asimov humanoid kit puts 3D printed parts front and center
The open-source, modular platform ships unassembled for $15,000, with structural components designed for Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing
Singapore-based Menlo Research has built its Asimov humanoid robot kit around a manufacturing philosophy that sidesteps traditional CNC machining. The majority of the platform’s structural components have been designed for production via Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing thanks to its ability to produce strong, lightweight parts at a fraction of the tooling cost associated with subtractive methods.Â
The approach not only reduces the unit cost of the robot, which comes in at approximately $15,000, but also makes replacement parts and custom modifications more accessible to independent builders.
The 1.2-meter, 35-kilogram platform ships completely unassembled and targets hobbyists, researchers, and robotics developers.
A modular architecture built for iteration
The Asimov kit’s physical design centers on a universal motor mounting system that connects the leg, arm, torso, and head sections as discrete, interchangeable modules. Builders can swap or upgrade individual sections without modifying the broader assembly, reducing maintenance overhead and allowing faster testing of new actuators and control configurations.
The ankle joint uses a parallel Revolute-Spherical-Universal (RSU) mechanism providing two degrees of freedom — roll and pitch — which distributes torque more evenly and improves the robot’s response to uneven terrain. The toes are passive and non-actuated, and the platform offers more than 25 degrees of freedom in total.
On the software side, Asimov uses a Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) simulation framework that deliberately introduces real-world signal degradation into training for a more realistic reaction.Â
Menlo Research publishes a full bill of materials on GitHub, allowing builders to source components independently and 3D print replacement parts independently. The $15,000 price tag, whale a substantial investment, represents a significant reduction from earlier humanoid robotics systems that required millions of dollars in development funding and provides a relatively affordable option for robotics enthusiasts.
