Hardware

Dynamixel

Dynamixel is a line of integrated smart servo actuators made by the Korean company Robotis, combining a DC motor, gearbox, encoder, controller, and daisy-chainable serial bus interface in one package. Servos report position, velocity, load, and temperature, and support position, velocity, and current control modes. Their low cost and simple integration have made them ubiquitous in research arms, hobby humanoids, and low-cost teleoperation devices, including leader arms in ALOHA-style bimanual rigs.

Why it matters for physical AI

Affordable integrated servos drove the sub-thousand-dollar arm ecosystem that democratized imitation learning research, putting demonstration collection hardware within reach of individual labs and hobbyists.