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Solo 8 / Solo 12

Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (MPI Tübingen, NYU, LAAS-CNRS) · 2019 · All Open Dynamic Robot Initiative robots

Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (MPI Tübingen, NYU, LAAS-CNRS) Solo 8 / Solo 12 (1)Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (MPI Tübingen, NYU, LAAS-CNRS) Solo 8 / Solo 12 (2)
Not for sale (DIY)
Not for sale (research)Open hardwareTorque control3D-printed
Not for saleShipping: Build it.
LEARN MORE (ODRI) ↗

Overview

A fully open-source, torque-controlled quadruped built from 3D-printed parts and brushless actuators, published in 2019–2020 so labs could replicate it cheaply. Solo 12 adds hip abduction for full 3D motion. In its 2020 paper the 2.2 kg Solo 8 jumped up to a 65 cm base height from a 24 cm stance and landed undamaged. A research favorite for model-predictive and learned control.

At a glance
Type
Quadruped robot · Research & legacy platforms
Maker
Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (MPI Tübingen, NYU, LAAS-CNRS)
Released
2019
Price
Not for sale (DIY)
Status
Not for sale (research)
Best for
Professionals & labs
Programming
Open source (hardware + software)

Price and shipping

Open-source hardware (BSD 3-Clause). Labs build from the published files.

Shipping: Build it. Not for sale. Built from open-source files and off-the-shelf parts.

Specifications

CategoryQuadrupeds · Research & legacy platforms
Released2019
CountryGermany, USA, France
AvailabilityNot for sale (research)
DIY build plansODRI Solo 12 · parts $7,100 (2022) (estimate) · difficulty 5/5
Jumping RobotsRanked #8 by jump height
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 simulationMaker URDF only · ODRI publishes Solo 8/12 URDF xacros, not packaged for MuJoCo. robot_properties_solo ↗
NVIDIA Isaac simulationOfficial model · ODRI member LAAS ships a Solo 12 Isaac Lab env (CaT) used on hardware. No deploy code, so not kit. constraints-as-terminations ↗
Gazebo simulationMaker URDF only · ODRI publishes Solo 8/12 URDF xacros, with no Gazebo launch files. robot_properties_solo ↗
Best forProfessionals & labs
Vision sensorsNo vision sensors
ActuatorsBrushless / direct-drive motors
AudioNo audio
Compute typeLaptop / PC as the brain
ComputeOffboard PC via Ethernet/WiFi to custom motor driver boards
Weight2.2 kg (Solo 8)
SpeedNot published
DOF8 (Solo 8) / 12 (Solo 12)
SensorsIMU, motor encoders
SDKOpen-source C++/Python stack

Common questions

How much does Solo 8 / Solo 12 cost?

Not for sale (DIY). Open-source hardware (BSD 3-Clause). Labs build from the published files.

Can Solo 8 / Solo 12 be bought today?

No. It was never sold to the public.

Who makes Solo 8 / Solo 12?

Solo 8 / Solo 12 is made by Open Dynamic Robot Initiative (MPI Tübingen, NYU, LAAS-CNRS). It came out in 2019.

Can Solo 8 / Solo 12 be programmed?

Open source (hardware + software). Open-source C++/Python stack.

Does Solo 8 / Solo 12 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