Alexander Koch Koch v1.1 Low-Cost Robot Arm price & specs

Q: Can Koch v1.1 Low-Cost Robot Arm be programmed?

Open source (hardware + software). Hugging Face lerobot (Python), original repo includes Python scripts.

Alexander Koch (original), v1.1 by Jess Moss (open source) Koch v1.1 Low-Cost Robot Arm (1)

~$477 DIY parts (pair)

AvailablePython from a laptopDynamixel servosLeRobotLeader–follower teleop

Weeks+Shipping: Bundles sold out, parts separately.

Remote control: USB to a laptop. LeRobot's Python tools handle calibration, teleop, recording and policy rollout.

LEARN MORE (Koch v1.1 GitHub) ↗

Overview

Alexander Koch's March 2024 low-cost arm was the first hardware LeRobot supported. v1.1 (July 2024) cleaned up the CAD, removed soldering and added a leader-arm platform. Dynamixel servos make it smoother but pricier than the SO-100/101, which has largely replaced it as the community default.

Type: Robot arm · Desktop & hobby arms
Maker: Alexander Koch (original), v1.1 by Jess Moss (open source)
Released: 2024
Price: ~$477 DIY parts (pair)
Status: Available
Best for: Ages 14+
Programming: Open source (hardware + software)

Price and shipping

BOM totals ~$199 for the leader arm and ~$278 for the follower (US), mostly Dynamixel servos. Robotis US motor bundles are $204.85 (leader) and $212.92 (follower) without printed parts, both sold out in October 2026 with a mid–late November lead time. PartaBot no longer lists a Koch kit.

Shipping: Bundles sold out, parts separately. Robotis US Koch bundles are sold out until mid–late November (October 2026), and PartaBot no longer sells kits. Individual Dynamixel servos and printed parts can still be bought separately. WowRobo's assembled TwinArm (inspired by Koch v1.1) lists at $580 – $630 but shows as sold out. Robotis Koch follower ↗

Specifications

Category	Robot arms · Desktop & hobby arms
Released	2024
Country	USA
Availability	Available
DIY build plans	Koch v1.1 arm · parts $480 (2024) (estimate) · difficulty 2/5
Programmability	Open source (hardware + software)
Built-in autonomy	None / scripted · Moves only when controlled, or plays preset motions
LLM support	Possible via SDK · LeRobot Python API over USB, no built-in LLM and no maker-provided LLM tooling.
MuJoCo simulation	Official model · In MuJoCo Menagerie (low_cost_robot_arm). MuJoCo Menagerie ↗
NVIDIA Isaac simulation	Community model · Only a third-party URDF (the source of the Menagerie model), no Isaac asset. s1lent4gnt/koch-v1-1 simulation ↗
Gazebo simulation	Community model · Only a third-party URDF, no Gazebo package. s1lent4gnt/koch-v1-1 simulation ↗
Best for	Ages 14+ (estimated)
Vision sensors	No vision sensors
Actuators	Smart servos (Dynamixel, Feetech…)
Audio	No audio
Compute type	Laptop / PC as the brain
Remote control	Python from a laptop
DOF	6 (5 joints + gripper)
Reach	Not published
Payload	Not published
Repeatability	Not published
Weight	Not published
Controller	None on the arm, serial servo driver board to a host PC over USB
Sensors	Servo position feedback (Robotis Dynamixel XL430 / XL330)
SDK	Hugging Face `lerobot` (Python), original repo includes Python scripts

Common questions

How much does Koch v1.1 Low-Cost Robot Arm cost?

Koch v1.1 Low-Cost Robot Arm is listed at ~$477 DIY parts (pair). BOM totals ~$199 for the leader arm and ~$278 for the follower (US), mostly Dynamixel servos. Robotis US motor bundles are $204.85 (leader) and $212.92 (follower) without printed parts, both sold out in October 2026 with a mid–late November lead time. PartaBot no longer lists a Koch kit.

Can Koch v1.1 Low-Cost Robot Arm be bought today?

Yes, it is on sale. Robotis US Koch bundles are sold out until mid–late November (October 2026), and PartaBot no longer sells kits. Individual Dynamixel servos and printed parts can still be bought separately. WowRobo's assembled TwinArm (inspired by Koch v1.1) lists at $580 – $630 but shows as sold out.