ARACHNOBOT: A 3D-PRINTED HEXAPOD SPIDER ROBOT
A six-legged printed spider robot with 18 servos, TPU claws for quiet grip, and tutorials and videos on its control and kinematics.
Robotics3D-printing
Built withRaspberry Pi3D printing
- difficulty
- ●●●●○
- time
- several weekends
- license
- MIT
- repo
- repo ACTIVE97 stars
●●●●○ · several weekends · MIT · 97 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
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COMPAREE VERDICT
ArachnoBot is a great-looking six-legged printed robot - 18 servos (three per leg), a printed carapace, and TPU claws for grip and quieter steps. Robert Meisner (Rob's Tech Workbench) organized the print package nicely and backs it with tutorials and videos. Be clear on how it's split: this repo is the STL parts and printing docs, while the control code and hardware notes live in a separate tutorials repo. The creator's build uses a Raspberry Pi as the brain plus a Servo 2040 servo controller, and recommends high-torque 35 kg+ servos. The published tutorials cover servo calibration, gamepad control, controlling one leg and leg kinematics; walking gaits are still marked 'to be done', so expect to write or adapt the walking code yourself. The parts are adapted from a design by amelendez8 from the MakeYourPet community, which inspired the project. A rewarding several-weekend build for someone who enjoys many-legged robots and some programming.
IN THE REPO
GOOD TO KNOW
- —This repo is STL parts plus detailed printing docs — a well-organized print package
- —No firmware, no STEP CAD and no wiring BOM in this repo — the code lives in a separate tutorials repo and a YouTube series
- —It needs a Raspberry Pi as the brain plus a Servo 2040 18-channel servo controller, as in the creator's build
- —Inspired by the MakeYourPet hexapod; the parts are adapted from a design by MakeYourPet community member amelendez8
Parts to buy
6 itemsFrom our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Videos
Master Forward Kinematics: Spider Robot Series
Part of the creator's build/tutorial series.
More builds like this
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Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Watch the tutorial series (kinematics + build)
- 2.Get the STL parts (frame, carapace, legs, claws)
- 3.Get the control code (in the separate tutorials repo)
- 4.Explore the MakeYourPet community (the design lineage + Discord)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
KNOWN ISSUES
- This repo is STL + printing docs only — the control code is in a separate tutorials repo and the video series
- There's no wiring BOM or STEP CAD in this repo - the hardware notes (Raspberry Pi plus Servo 2040, servos, servo arms) are in the separate tutorials repo
- Print the claws in TPU for quiet grip; the rest is rigid
How many servos?
18 - three per leg on six legs - with a printed carapace and TPU claws. Each leg also has a printed holder for a micro switch that gives foot-contact feedback.
Where's the code?
In a separate tutorials repo, with companion articles and videos: servo calibration, gamepad control, one-leg control and leg kinematics. Walking gaits are still marked 'to be done'. This repo holds the STL parts and printing docs.
Is it a known design?
Partly. The MakeYourPet hexapod was the initial inspiration, but the parts are adapted from a design by amelendez8, a member of the MakeYourPet Discord community (github.com/almelnz2005/hexapod).
What does it cost?
Band $$ — the 18 servos are the main cost. The series covers current parts.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
Eighteen servos, three per leg, all needing calibration before the first step. What's your tolerance for servo-count in a build — where do you tap out?
Rob's Tech Workbench
Robert Meisner (Rob's Tech Workbench) adapted a hexapod design by MakeYourPet community member amelendez8 into a clean printable package, and teaches the build — kinematics, assembly and code — through a full YouTube series.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM2mo agoedited
Correction (4 October 2026): we re-checked this page line by line against the project's own repository, documentation and videos, and fixed errors in earlier versions.