ZeroWire Robotics, based in Cupertino, California, is crowdfunding Q8botOne on Crowd Supply. It is a palm-sized quadruped robot with eight smart actuators, built around Espressif's ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4 module. The campaign went live on October 6, 2026, and has not yet reached its goal. As of October 20, 2026, it had raised $4,384 of its $10,000 goal (44%) from 16 backers. It offered two pledge tiers: a $199 Robot Kit that you assemble yourself, which does not include the robot's DYNAMIXEL actuators, and a $599 Assembled Robot. The campaign closes on November 19, 2026. Crowd Supply's estimated ship date is March 24, 2027.
From q8bot to Q8botOne
Q8botOne grew out of q8bot, which team member Yufeng Wu publishes in his GitHub repository. The README describes q8bot as "a miniature quadruped robot with the size and weight comparable to a modern smartphone," capable of walking, trotting, bounding and jumping. It calls Q8botOne "a complete upgrade to the original Q8bot." The original's layout is summed up in the README as "NO WIRES AND CABLES - everything is directly plugged into the center PCB," and Q8botOne keeps that wire-free approach. The repository is MIT-licensed, and its CAD, STL and PCB files are in its Releases section. The README puts the unoptimized bill of materials for the original at $300 to $400, depending on the options chosen. Crowd Supply describes Q8botOne as open-source hardware and software but does not name a license for it.
Hardware
Crowd Supply lists these specifications:
| Item | Q8botOne |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 120 x 70 x 70 mm |
| Weight | 250 g |
| Actuators | 8x ROBOTIS DYNAMIXEL XL330-M077-T (not included with kit purchase) |
| Robot MCU | ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4 |
| Controller MCU | ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4 |
| Battery | 2 × 14500 Li-ion |
| Battery charger | BQ25887, 2-cell with cell balancing |
| Battery protection | S-82C2A, 2-cell |
| Peripheral regulator | MPM3632C, 5 V, 3 A step-down |
| DYNAMIXEL regulator | TPS543A26, 6 V, 16 A step-down |
| DYNAMIXEL data interface | UART-to-TTL half-duplex |
| Sensor expansion | JST-SH 4-pin, Qwiic / STEMMA QT compatible |
| UART expansion | JST-PH 4-pin, 5 V powered, up to 3 A at 5 V |
| USB-C (robot) | Firmware flashing, serial communication, battery charging |
| RGB LED | SK6812 (on both PCBs) |
| Power disconnect | Mechanical jumper with MOSFET power switching |
| Chassis and leg linkages | MJF-printed Nylon PA12, with ball-bearing-supported joints |
| Controller | Adafruit Mini I2C Gamepad with seesaw, MJF-printed Nylon PA12 housing |
A CNX Software write-up from October 8 gives more detail on the silicon. The module uses the ESP32-C3FN4 SoC, which has a 32-bit RISC-V single core running at up to 160 MHz, 400 KB SRAM (16 KB for cache), 4 MB embedded flash, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth LE 5.0, plus a PCB antenna. CNX lists three optional parts: an MPU-6050 6-axis IMU, an ESP32 camera module and an INA228 20-bit power monitor. It puts the weight at about 221 to 250 grams, depending on the sensor and camera payload.
The robot runs on a two-cell lithium-ion pack. Anyone working with the cells or the charging circuit should follow ZeroWire Robotics' own documentation.
What the two tiers include
The Q8botOne Robot Kit had 13 claimed. It includes the chassis, batteries, motor screws, leg linkages, a pre-programmed controller, a USB-C cable and screwdrivers. Assembly is required, and the eight DYNAMIXEL actuators must be bought separately. The campaign does not give a price for them, so the kit cannot move until you source the actuators elsewhere.
The Q8botOne Assembled Robot had 3 claimed. It ships assembled with batteries, a pre-programmed controller, a USB-C cable and screwdrivers. CNX describes it as including all the actuators and pre-programmed boards.
Both tiers ship free worldwide, and Mouser Electronics handles fulfillment. Elecrow is the manufacturing partner for PCBA and MJF printing, and final assembly takes place in Cupertino.
Campaign timeline
- October 6, 2026: ZeroWire Robotics launches the campaign on Crowd Supply.
- October 20, 2026: The campaign is at 44% of its goal, with 30 days left.
- November 19, 2026, 03:59 PM PST (23:59 UTC): The campaign closes. Crowd Supply gives the deadline in Pacific Standard Time, which is UTC−8 on that date.
- March 24, 2027 (estimated): Crowd Supply's estimated ship date. CNX gives delivery as late March 2027.
Reaching the $10,000 goal would make the campaign funded, but it would not mean the robot is shipping. The ship date is an estimate and depends on the creator's production schedule.
What It Means for Makers
Q8botOne is aimed at people who want a small legged robot whose ancestor's design files are public. CNX compares it with other small quadrupeds. The ESP32-based MechDog uses standard PWM servos and weighs 560 grams. The Petoi Bittle X also uses PWM servos, whereas Q8botOne uses individually addressable DYNAMIXEL smart actuators on a shared serial bus.
The Qwiic / STEMMA QT-compatible JST-SH port accepts boards that use that connector system without a custom harness. The JST-PH UART port is the place to power and connect heavier add-ons. The IMU, camera and power monitor are optional, so do not assume either tier includes them.
If you choose the kit, plan to buy the eight XL330-M077-T actuators separately. If you want to build without the campaign, the original q8bot files are in the repository, but that design is not Q8botOne. Pledges are taken on the Crowd Supply campaign page until November 19, 2026.
