Nova Desktop Humanoid
Nova is a free, open-source desktop humanoid robot with a joystick-controlled arm, ESP32-CAM vision and AI object detection with spoken announcements.
- Humanoid
- Open source
- Works with AI
- arduino
- 3D printable
Suggested by Robotheca, created by @danielhany987-cloud (opens in a new tab), from github.com/danielhany987-cloud/Nova (opens in a new tab). Pinned to commit b1d352d (opens in a new tab).
- Hardware license
- MIT (opens in a new tab)
- Software license
- MIT (opens in a new tab)
- Commercial use
- Allowed
Photo and 3D model
3D preview converted from github.com/danielhany987-cloud/Nova at b1d352d, under MIT. View the original files from GitHub (1.0 MB) (opens in a new tab)
- Weight
- 1,063 g
What it can do
Written by Robotheca from the project's documents.
- Joystick-controlled robot arm with acceleration-limited velocity control and smooth servo motion
- AI object detection using YOLOv4-tiny via OpenCV on a PC, streamed from the ESP32-CAM
- Text-to-speech announcement of detected object names
- Pre-programmed wave animation sequence
- Servo center utility that moves all servos to 90 degrees for calibration
Works with AI
Found by Robotheca in the project's files at commit b1d352d, its robot.yaml and Robotheca's notes on its documents. Never guessed; Robotheca doesn't run the code.
“AI object detection using YOLOv4-tiny via OpenCV on a PC, streamed from the ESP32-CAM”
Robotheca's notes: What it can do
Bill of materials
14 parts14 of 14 parts shown
| # | Component | Quantity | Est. price | Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics | ||||
| 1 | ESP32 | 1 | – | – |
| 2 | ESP32-CAM | 1 | – | – |
| 3 | Analog Joystick Module | 1 | – | – |
| Servo Motors | ||||
| 4 | 35KG Servo | 1 | – | – |
| 5 | 25KG Servo | 2 | – | – |
| 6 | 15KG Servo | 1 | – | – |
| Power | ||||
| 7 | DC Power Supply | 1 | – | – |
| 8 | Buck Converters | – | – | – |
| Hardware & AccessoriesOptional, not in the total | ||||
| 9 | Small Bluetooth Speaker | 1 | – | – |
| 10 | Jumper Wires | – | – | – |
| 11 | Servo Mounting Screws | – | – | – |
| 12 | Rear Cover Screws | – | – | – |
| 3D Printing | ||||
| 13 | PLA Filament | 1063 | – | – |
| 14 | All 3D-Printed Parts | 1 | – | – |
10 of 10 needed parts have no price in the source, so there is no parts total. Read from Bill_of_Materials.md at the pinned commit.
Build guide
The creator's steps, each with its instructions.
- 13D print all parts
- 2Wire electronics
- 3Program the ESP32
- 4Set up the ESP32-CAM
- 5Set up AI software
- 6Assemble the robot
- 7Calibrate the servos
The guide appears here as you scroll.
Guide by @danielhany987-cloud (README.md), under MIT.
Wiring and electronics
Notes written by Robotheca from the project's documents.
Main parts
- ESP32 as the main robot controller
- ESP32-CAM camera module for vision
- Analog joystick module for arm control input
- Servos: one 35KG, two 25KG (or four 25KG), one 15KG
- DC power supply and multiple buck converters for voltage regulation
- Small Bluetooth speaker
- Electrolytic and ceramic disc capacitors
Connections
- Buck converters configure voltage to match servo and electronics requirements
- The ESP32 handles robot control while object detection runs separately on a PC
Cables and connectors
From the parts list.
- Jumper Wires