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Molecubes

Cornell Computational Synthesis Lab (USA) · 2005

Cornell Computational Synthesis Lab (USA) Molecubes (1)
Not for sale
Not for sale (research)Not programmableSelf-replicationOpen sourceCornellDiagonal joint
Not for saleShipping: N/A.
Remote control: Not possible for most, since the hardware was never sold. The later open-source designs (blueprints, firmware and schematics) were published for rebuilding.
LEARN MORE (Wikipedia) ↗

Overview

Famous for physically demonstrating robot self-reproduction, since three- and four-module Molecube robots built copies of themselves from spare cubes. Created by Hod Lipson, Victor Zykov and Stathis Mytilinaios, it later became an open-source kit design with hinge, gripper, wheel and camera modules. Included here as a pivotal modular-robot milestone just before the 20-year window.

At a glance
Type
Modular robot · Research & self-reconfiguring
Maker
Cornell Computational Synthesis Lab (USA)
Released
2005
Price
Not for sale
Status
Not for sale (research)
Best for
Professionals & labs
Programming
Open source (hardware + software)

Price and shipping

Research robot. Later open-source redesign supported by Microsoft Research and Festo.

Shipping: N/A. Research project. Not for sale.

Specifications

CategoryModular & reconfigurable · Research & self-reconfiguring
Released2005
CountryUSA
AvailabilityNot for sale (research)
ProgrammabilityOpen source (hardware + software)
Built-in autonomyNone / scripted · Moves only when controlled, or plays preset motions
LLM supportPossible via SDK · No built-in LLM. Its SDK lets software on a computer control it.
MuJoCo simulationNone found · Nothing found.
NVIDIA Isaac simulationNone found · Nothing found.
Gazebo simulationNone found · Nothing found.
Best forProfessionals & labs
Vision sensorsCamera
ActuatorsUnknown
AudioNo audio
Compute typeArduino / ESP32 / microcontroller
Remote controlNot programmable
Size100 mm cube, 0.65 kg (original)
LocomotionEach cube's two halves rotate about its long diagonal, chains of cubes reconfigure
ComputeMicroprocessor in one half of each cube
CameraCamera module in later open-source version
SensorsNot published
RuntimeBattery module in later version (runtime not published)
SpeedNot published
SDKOpen-source blueprints, firmware and schematics (GitHub)

Common questions

How much does Molecubes cost?

Not for sale. Research robot. Later open-source redesign supported by Microsoft Research and Festo.

Can Molecubes be bought today?

No. It was never sold to the public.

Who makes Molecubes?

Molecubes is made by Cornell Computational Synthesis Lab (USA). It came out in 2005.

Can Molecubes be programmed?

Open source (hardware + software). Open-source blueprints, firmware and schematics (GitHub).

Does Molecubes have AI chat or LLM support?

Possible via SDK. No built-in LLM. Its SDK lets software on a computer control it.

Ratings & reviews

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Image credits