Robot dossier
Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition)
Release
Jan 1, 2026
Price
$15,000
Connectivity
0
Status
Pre-order
Height
1.20 m
Weight
35 kg
Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition)
Menlo Research's Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) is an open-source humanoid hardware kit aimed at advanced hobbyists, developers, and research teams who want to build and modify a full humanoid robot themselves. The kit ships unassembled and includes the structural frame, actuators, motors, sensors, wiring harness, assembly manual, and build videos, with the company positioning it as a faster path into the broader Asimov full-body platform. Official materials emphasize off-the-shelf parts, simple 3D-printable components, and an open hardware/software approach intended to make repair, modification, and iteration easier than on closed commercial humanoid platforms.
Listed price
$15,000
Official Asimov DIY Kit page lists a $15,000 target price with a refundable $499 pre-order deposit; import duties and taxes may still apply.
Release window
Jan 1, 2026
Current status
Pre-order
Menlo Research
Last verified
Apr 15, 2026
Technical overview
Core specifications and system stack
A fast read on the mechanical profile, sensing package, and platform integrations behind Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition).
Technical Specifications
Height
1.20 m
Weight
35 kg
Dimensions
DIY full-body humanoid kit, ships unassembled
Battery Life
Not officially disclosed
Charging Time
Not officially disclosed
Max Speed
Not officially disclosed
Tech Components
Sensors (3)
Operational profile
How this robot is configured
Capabilities
8
Connectivity
0
Key capabilities
Ecosystem fit
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About the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition)
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) is a Research robot built by Menlo Research. Menlo Research's Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) is an open-source humanoid hardware kit aimed at advanced hobbyists, developers, and research teams who want to build and modify a full humanoid robot themselves. The kit ships unassembled and includes the structural frame, actuators, motors, sensors, wiring harness, assembly manual, and build videos, with the company positioning it as a faster path into the broader Asimov full-body platform. Official materials emphasize off-the-shelf parts, simple 3D-printable components, and an open hardware/software approach intended to make repair, modification, and iteration easier than on closed commercial humanoid platforms.
At a listed price of $15,000, it positions itself in the premium segment of the research market. See all Menlo Research robots on the Menlo Research page.
Spec Breakdown
Detailed specifications for the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition)
Height
1.20 mAt 1.20 m, the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) is sized for its intended operating environment and use cases.
Weight
35 kgWeighing 35 kg, the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) balances structural integrity with portability and maneuverability.
Dimensions
DIY full-body humanoid kit, ships unassembledThe overall dimensions of DIY full-body humanoid kit, ships unassembled define the robot's physical footprint and determine what spaces it can navigate and what clearances it requires for operation.
Battery Life
Not officially disclosedWith a battery life of Not officially disclosed, the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) can operate for sustained periods before requiring a recharge. Battery life is measured under typical operating conditions and may vary based on workload intensity and environmental factors.
Charging Time
Not officially disclosedA charging time of Not officially disclosed means the ratio of operation to downtime is an important consideration for applications requiring near-continuous availability. Some deployments use multiple robots in rotation to maintain uninterrupted service.
Maximum Speed
Not officially disclosedA top speed of Not officially disclosed is calibrated for the robot's primary operating environment and safety requirements.
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) uses Menlo Platform with onboard low-latency processing for reflex loops and cloud-connected high-level reasoning; open-source hardware and software stack as its intelligence backbone. This AI platform powers the robot's decision-making, perception processing, and autonomous behavior. The sophistication of the AI stack directly impacts how well the robot handles unexpected situations and adapts to new environments.
Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) Sensor Suite
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) integrates 3 sensor types, forming the perceptual foundation that enables autonomous operation.
This sensor configuration enables the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) to perceive its environment and operate autonomously in its intended use cases. Multiple sensor modalities provide redundancy and more robust perception than any single sensor type alone.
Explore sensor technologies: components glossary · full components directory
Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) Use Cases & Applications
Research robots serve as platforms for advancing robotics science and engineering. They enable researchers to test theories about locomotion, manipulation, perception, and human-robot interaction in controlled and real-world environments.
Capabilities That Enable Real-World Use
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) offers 8 distinct capabilities, each contributing to the robot's practical utility.
These capabilities work together with the robot's 3 onboard sensor types and Menlo Platform with onboard low-latency processing for reflex loops and cloud-connected high-level reasoning; open-source hardware and software stack AI platform to deliver practical, real-world performance.
Ecosystem Integration
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) integrates with the following platforms and ecosystems, extending its utility beyond standalone operation.
This ecosystem compatibility enables the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) to work as part of a broader automation setup rather than operating in isolation.
Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) Capabilities
8
Capabilities
3
Sensor Types
AI
Menlo Platform with onboard …
Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) Technology Stack Overview
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) by Menlo Research integrates 4 distinct technology components across sensing, connectivity, intelligence, and interaction layers. The physical platform features a height of 1.20 m, a weight of 35 kg, a top speed of Not officially disclosed, providing the foundation on which this technology stack operates.
Perception — 3 Sensor Types
The perception layer is built on Depth sensing, Force feedback, Proprioceptive sensing. These work in concert to give the robot a detailed understanding of its operating environment. This multi-sensor approach provides redundancy and enables the robot to function reliably even when individual sensors encounter challenging conditions such as low light, reflective surfaces, or cluttered spaces.
Intelligence — Menlo Platform with onboard low-latency processing for reflex loops and cloud-connected high-level reasoning; open-source hardware and software stack
Menlo Platform with onboard low-latency processing for reflex loops and cloud-connected high-level reasoning; open-source hardware and software stack serves as the computational brain, processing sensor data, making navigation decisions, and orchestrating the robot's autonomous behaviors. The quality of this AI platform directly influences how well the robot handles novel situations, adapts to changes in its environment, and improves its performance over time through learning.
Who Should Consider the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition)?
Target Audience
Research robots are acquired by universities, government labs, and corporate R&D departments. They serve as experimental platforms for developing new algorithms, testing locomotion strategies, and advancing the field of robotics. Some are also used for educational purposes.
Key Considerations
Open-source software compatibility (ROS/ROS 2), sensor modularity, programmability, available SDK/API quality, community support, and published research papers using the platform are key factors. Documentation quality and the ability to modify both hardware and software are essential for research use.
Price Context
Availability
Pre-orderThe Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) is available for pre-order. Pre-ordering secures your position in the delivery queue, though actual ship dates may vary.
Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition): Strengths & Trade-offs
Engineering compromises and where this research robot excels
What the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) does well
Broad capability set
With 8 distinct capabilities, the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) is designed as a versatile platform rather than a single-task device. This breadth means the robot can handle varied scenarios and workflows, reducing the need for multiple specialized robots and increasing its utility across different situations.
What to consider carefully
Currently in pre-order
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) is not yet available as a finished, shipping product. While pre-ordering secures a position in the delivery queue, actual delivery timelines and final specifications should be confirmed with the manufacturer.
Note: This strengths and trade-offs assessment is based on the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition)'s documented specifications as tracked in the ui44 database. Real-world performance depends on deployment conditions, firmware maturity, and environmental factors. For the most current information, check the Menlo Research manufacturer page or visit the official product page. Use the comparison tool to evaluate these trade-offs against competing robots in the same category.
How Research Robot Technology Works
Understanding the engineering behind this category
Research robots serve a fundamentally different purpose than commercial or consumer models. They are platforms for discovery — enabling scientists and engineers to test theories, develop algorithms, and push the boundaries of what robots can do. The technology in research robots prioritizes openness, flexibility, and access to raw data over consumer-friendly packaging or commercial reliability. Understanding this distinction is important for anyone considering a research robot platform.
Navigation & Mobility
Research robots typically expose their navigation systems at a much lower level than commercial products. Researchers can access raw sensor data, modify SLAM algorithms, implement custom path planners, and test novel navigation approaches. ROS (Robot Operating System) and ROS 2 compatibility is standard, providing a common framework for sharing navigation modules across the research community. This openness enables rapid iteration — a researcher can swap between different SLAM implementations, test new obstacle avoidance strategies, or develop entirely novel navigation paradigms without being locked into a vendor's proprietary stack.
The Role of AI
Research robots serve as physical testbeds for AI algorithms that may eventually appear in commercial products years later. Reinforcement learning, imitation learning, few-shot task learning, and human-robot interaction studies all require robot platforms that can execute AI-generated commands in the physical world. The gap between simulation (where training is cheap and fast) and reality (where physics is unforgiving) makes physical robot platforms essential for validating AI approaches. Research robots must support rapid deployment of new AI models without extensive integration work.
Sensor Fusion & Perception
Research platforms prioritize sensor modularity and data access. Standard mounting interfaces allow researchers to attach custom sensors alongside built-in ones. Raw sensor data streams (not just processed results) are accessible for developing novel perception algorithms. Precise time-stamping and synchronization across sensor streams enable accurate multi-modal fusion research. Many research robots include more sensors than strictly necessary for any single application, providing researchers with rich datasets for developing and testing new algorithms.
Power & Battery Management
Research robots balance operational runtime with practical lab use. Sessions of one to four hours are typical, with quick charging between experiments. Some research setups use tethered power for long-running experiments where battery limitations would interrupt data collection. Power monitoring and logging capabilities help researchers understand the energy costs of different behaviors and algorithms — important for developing efficient approaches that will eventually run on battery-constrained commercial systems.
Safety by Design
Research environments present unique safety challenges because robots are constantly being programmed with untested behaviors. Hardware safety limits (joint speed caps, force limits, emergency stops) must be robust regardless of software commands. Safety-rated monitored stop and speed monitoring ensure the robot cannot exceed safe operating parameters even when running experimental code. Collaborative operation standards apply when researchers work alongside the robot during experiments. Many labs implement layered safety with physical barriers for high-speed testing and open-area operation restricted to validated, lower-risk behaviors.
What's Next for Research Robots
Research robot platforms are becoming more accessible and capable. Cloud robotics enables remote experiment execution and shared datasets. Digital twins and high-fidelity simulators reduce the need for physical hardware time while improving sim-to-real transfer. Standardized benchmarks and open datasets enable fair comparison of results across labs. The democratization of robotics research — through lower-cost platforms, open-source software, and cloud infrastructure — is expanding who can contribute to advancing the field.
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) by Menlo Research incorporates many of these technology pillars. For a detailed look at the specific sensors and components used in the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition), see the sensor analysis and connectivity sections above, or browse the complete components glossary for explanations of every technology used across the robotics industry.
Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) in the Research Market
How this robot compares in the research landscape
With a price point of $15,000, the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) is squarely in the enterprise/professional segment. This pricing typically includes integration support, commercial-grade warranties, and ongoing software updates.
The Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition)'s 3 sensor types provide solid perceptual coverage for its intended use cases. This mid-range sensor suite balances cost with capability, covering the essential modalities needed for research applications.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Side-by-side specs, capability overlap analysis, and key differentiators.
For the full picture of Menlo Research's portfolio and market strategy, visit the Menlo Research manufacturer page.
Owning the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition): Setup, Maintenance & Tips
Practical guide from day one through years of ownership
Initial Setup
Research robot setup combines hardware assembly with software environment configuration. Unpack and assemble the platform following the manufacturer's documentation. Install the development framework — typically ROS or ROS 2 — and verify sensor connectivity. Calibrate all sensors using the manufacturer's tools and procedures. Set up the simulation environment (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or equivalent) alongside the physical platform for parallel development. Establish version control for your experiment code and configuration. Document the initial calibration values and system state as your baseline for future reference. Plan network and computing infrastructure to handle the data rates your sensors will generate.
Ongoing Maintenance
Research robots need maintenance that preserves the precision required for valid experimental results. Regularly verify sensor calibration — drift in camera intrinsics or IMU biases can invalidate experiment data. Maintain clean workspace conditions to protect optical sensors. Document any hardware modifications or maintenance performed, as these can affect experimental reproducibility. Update software dependencies carefully, documenting versions used for each experiment. Joint and actuator wear in research robots that perform repetitive tasks should be monitored and factored into experimental design.
Software Updates & Long-Term Support
Research robot software updates require careful management to maintain experiment reproducibility. Document the exact software versions used for each experiment. Test updates in a separate environment before applying to your experiment platform. Contribute bug fixes and improvements back to the community when using open-source frameworks. Be aware that ROS and other framework updates may require code changes in your custom packages — budget time for integration testing after major framework updates.
Maximizing Longevity
Research robots often have longer productive lives than commercial products because they can be upgraded and repurposed. Extend your investment by maintaining clean mechanical and electrical systems, documenting all modifications for future lab members, and keeping spare parts for common wear items. When specific components become obsolete, community forums and lab networks can be valuable sources for replacements. Consider the platform's modularity when planning future research directions — a platform that can accept new sensors and actuators adapts to evolving research questions.
For Menlo Research-specific support resources and documentation, visit the Menlo Research page on ui44 or check the manufacturer's official website at Menlo Research's product page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition)?
How much does the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) cost?
Is the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) available to buy?
What sensors does the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) have?
How long does the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) battery last?
What AI does the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) use?
How does the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) compare to the ROBOTIS OP3?
Does the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) work with smart home systems?
How current is the Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) data on ui44?
Data Integrity
All Asimov DIY Kit (Here Be Dragons Edition) data on ui44 is verified against official Menlo Research sources, including spec sheets, product pages, and press releases. Last verified: 2026-04-15. Official source: Menlo Research product page. If you find outdated or incorrect information, please let us know — accuracy is our top priority.
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