en.Wedoany.com Reported - Singapore-based robotics development company Menlo Research has launched the Asimov, a bipedal humanoid robot development kit manufactured using Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing technology. Priced at approximately $15,000 USD, it enables independent developers to access a modular humanoid platform. MJF technology can produce strong, lightweight parts at a mold cost far lower than subtractive manufacturing processes, while also allowing developers to more easily obtain replacement parts and perform custom modifications.
Standing 1.2 meters tall and weighing 35 kilograms, the robot platform ships in a completely unassembled form, targeting hobbyists, researchers, and robotics developers. The physical design features a modular architecture built around a universal motor mounting system, connecting the legs, arms, torso, and head as independent, interchangeable modules. Developers can replace or upgrade individual components without modifying the overall assembly, thereby reducing maintenance costs and enabling faster testing of new actuator and control configurations.
The ankle joint employs a parallel Revolute-Spherical-Universal (RSU) mechanism, providing two degrees of freedom for roll and pitch. This allows for more even torque distribution, improving the robot's responsiveness on uneven terrain. The toe section is passive and non-actuated, with the entire platform offering over 25 degrees of freedom in total. On the software side, Asimov uses a Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) simulation framework, deliberately introducing real-world signal degradation during training to achieve more realistic responses.
Menlo Research has published the complete bill of materials on GitHub, allowing developers to independently source components and 3D print replacement parts themselves. The $15,000 price point represents a significant reduction compared to early humanoid robot systems that required millions of dollars in development funding, offering a relatively affordable option for robotics enthusiasts.
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