EPFL BioRob Roombots

Not for sale

Not for sale (research)Not programmableSelf-reconfiguringFurnitureResearch3-DOF modules

Not for saleShipping: N/A.

Remote control: Not possible. Research hardware, not distributed.

LEARN MORE (EPFL BioRob Roombots) ↗

Overview

EPFL's self-reconfigurable modules meant to become furniture that moves, assembles itself and helps people, demonstrated in autonomously moving furniture. Each module has three continuous rotational joints and ten connection ports with gender-less latches. A 2020 paper showed 12 modules (36 DOF) self-reconfiguring and manipulating objects.

Type: Modular robot · Research & self-reconfiguring
Maker: EPFL BioRob (Switzerland)
Released: 2010
Price: Not for sale
Status: Not for sale (research)
Best for: Professionals & labs
Programming: No programmability

Price and shipping

Research project funded by the Swiss NCCR Robotics. Start year estimated (est.).

Shipping: N/A. Lab research project. Not for sale.

Specifications

Category	Modular & reconfigurable · Research & self-reconfiguring
Released	2010
Country	Switzerland
Availability	Not for sale (research)
Sales	13 active Roombots modules built by 2020 (estimate) IEEE Spectrum ↗
Programmability	No programmability
Built-in autonomy	Reactive · Responds to its surroundings without a map, such as avoiding obstacles or following a person
LLM support	None · No built-in LLM and no SDK to connect one.
Best for	Professionals & labs
Vision sensors	No vision sensors
Actuators	Unknown
Audio	No audio
Compute type	Arduino / ESP32 / microcontroller
Remote control	Not programmable
Size	Module 110 × 110 × 220 mm, 1.4 kg
Locomotion	Modules roll, crawl and climb, groups self-assemble into tables, stools and walking structures
Compute	Per-module controller, Bluetooth communication
Camera	None
Sensors	Joint encoders (details not published)
Runtime	~1 hour (4-cell 1200 mAh LiPo per module)
Speed	Not published
SDK	None public (research software and user interface)