





SpotMicro ESP32
✓ Links verified Jun 1, 2026
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377 stars on GitHub · michaelkubina/SpotMicroESP32
SpotMicroESP32 is Michael Kubina's redesign of the SpotMicro quadruped, derived from KDY0523's original Thingiverse design, optimized for support-free 3D-printing and built around an ESP32-DevKitC. 12-DOF (3 servos per leg). Source: https://github.com/michaelkubina/SpotMicroESP32
SpotMicro family — pick your compute target:
| Variant | Controller | ROS |
|---|---|---|
| SpotMicro (Pi) — mike4192 | Raspberry Pi | ROS Kinetic |
| SpotMicro Jetson Nano | Jetson Nano | ROS Melodic |
| SpotMicro ESP32 (this) | ESP32-DevKitC | No ROS |
Hardware:
- 12 servos (3 per leg: shoulder yaw, upper, lower)
- ESP32-DevKitC main controller
- Optional ESP32-CAM for vision
- LiPo battery with custom mounting brackets
Software ecosystem (community forks):
- Maarten Weyn BLE/IK firmware: https://github.com/maartenweyn/SpotMicro_ESP32
- Blacksheep Nitro Fork (PCB + walking gait + RC): https://github.com/Blacksheep909/SpotMicroESP32-Nitro-Fork
- SpotMicro-Leika (FreeRTOS + 2 gaits): https://github.com/runeharlyk/SpotMicroESP32-Leika
- SpotMicroAI Community: https://spotmicroai.readthedocs.io/
Resources:
- Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4559827
- Original SpotMicro by KDY0523: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3445283
Printing
SpotMicro is a 12-DOF quadruped — 4 legs, 3 servos each — so the shoulder and limb parts must be printed once per leg (×4), and the chassis side is printed as a left/right pair (×2). This is the support-free Kubina redesign, so no supports are needed.
Print quantities: Chassis_Side ×2; Front_Cover ×1, Rear_Cover ×1, Cameramount ×1. Per leg (×4 each): Bottom_Shoulder, Inner_Shoulder, Outer_Shoulder, Limb_Ball_Bearing_Mount, Limb_Bottom_Shell, Limb_Top_Shell, Limb_Servohorn_Mount, Foot_Tip.
Note on Rear_Cover: the file is labelled a "Template." It is a customizable base cover meant to be edited (e.g. to add a cutout for your specific electronics/port layout) before printing, rather than a fixed final part — print it as-is if you don't need a custom opening. The upstream source also includes many experimental and alternate variants (different power-board mounting plates, optimized covers, mold parts); those are optional alternates and are intentionally excluded from this set, which is one clean buildable SpotMicro.
🖨 Print Files (12)
Chassis_Side.stl
Bottom_Shoulder.stl
Inner_Shoulder.stl
Outer_Shoulder.stl
Front_Cover.stl
Rear_Cover--Template-.stl
Required Hardware
| Item | Qty | Unit Cost (USD) | Total (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32 DevKit-C v4 | 1 | $8 | $8 | Main MCU — Amazon search |
| ESP32-CAM (AI-Thinker, OV2640 v2) | 1 | $11 | $11 | First-person camera — Amazon search |
| DS3218MG 20 kg digital servo (180°, MG, BB) | 12 | $18 | $216 | Recommended — 12 leg joints (3 per leg × 4 legs) — Amazon search |
| MG996R 10 kg servo (budget alternative — replaces DS3218MG) | 12 | $5 | $60 | Cheap-build alternative — Amazon search |
| 2S 5200–6200 mAh LiPo battery, ≥30C (7.4V) | 1 | $45 | $45 | Power — Amazon search |
| XL4016 / SZBK07 DC-DC step-down converter (≥10A) | 1 | $13 | $13 | 7.4V → 6V servo rail — Amazon search |
| LM2596 buck module (3A) | 1 | $3 | $3 | 5V logic rail — Amazon search |
| PCA9685 16-channel I²C PWM driver | 1 | $6 | $6 | Drives 12 servos from ESP32 — Amazon search |
| HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Distance Sensor | 2 | $4 | $8 | Front-facing obstacle detection — Amazon search |
| GY-521 (MPU-6050) gyro+accelerometer module | 1 | $4 | $4 | Body IMU — Amazon search |
| 0.96" I²C OLED display (SSD1306, 128×64) | 1 | $5 | $5 | Status — Amazon search |
| WS2812B 12-LED RGB ring | 1 | $7 | $7 | Status / "face" lighting — Amazon search |
| ACS712 30A current sensor module | 1 | $3 | $3 | Battery monitoring — Amazon search |
| 25V voltage divider sensor module | 1 | $3 | $3 | Battery voltage telemetry — Amazon search |
| 5V single-channel relay module (HW-482 / KY-019) | 1 | $4 | $4 | Power gating — Amazon search |
| 19 mm illuminated metal push-button (latching) | 1 | $11 | $11 | Power-on switch — Amazon search |
| 625ZZ deep-groove ball bearing (5×16×5) | 8 | $1 | $8 | Hip joints — Amazon search |
| Female-to-female Dupont jumper wires (40-pack) | 2 | $5 | $10 | Wiring — Amazon search |
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