Zeroth Bot: The Open-Source Humanoid Robot Bringing Space Sci-Fi to Your Desktop

Report

A white, humanoid robot with glowing pixelated eyes stands against a vibrant orange background, showcasing advanced robotics technology and design.

Zeroth Bot is the world’s first truly affordable, open-source, AI-powered humanoid robot—designed to make the space sci-fi dream of programmable, intelligent robots a reality for developers, educators, and hobbyists everywhere.

A retro-style robot with a rectangular head and mechanical limbs stands upright against a vibrant orange background.

The Zeroth Bot wants to bring access to robotics tech to the masses. Image credit: Zerothbot.com

From Sci-Fi Fantasy to Open-Source Reality

If you’ve ever dreamed of building your own C-3PO, tinkering with a robot sidekick, or experimenting with the kind of AI-powered humanoids seen in space sci-fi classics, Zeroth Bot is about to make that dream real. Developed by K-Scale Labs, Zeroth Bot is a fully open-source, AI-enabled humanoid robot platform that’s as accessible as it is advanced. With a Kickstarter campaign launching soon, this project is set to democratize robotics in a way the industry has never seen.

This image features a humanoid robot named Zeroth Bot with a digital display for eyes, set against an orange background, accompanied by the text "Autonomous Open Source."

The open-source ethos of the Zeroth Bot, will allow for the addition of mods and attachments for the base design. Image credit: Kickstarter

Meet the Visionaries: The K-Scale Labs Team

At the heart of Zeroth Bot is a team of world-class robotics and AI experts:

Benjamin Bolte (CEO/Founder): Former AI researcher at Tesla (Optimus) and Meta AI, Bolte has contributed to foundational robotics models and is a passionate advocate for open-source robotics.
Matt Freed (Head of Hardware): With experience at General Dynamics Electric Boat and Lockheed Martin, Freed brings deep expertise in robust, mission-critical hardware systems .
Pawel Budzianowski (Head of Software): A PhD in dialogue systems from Cambridge and former ML lead at PolyAI, Budzianowski specializes in conversational AI and machine learning.

Their mission? To make humanoid robots as open, affordable, and programmable as modern computers—empowering a new generation of space sci-fi creators, researchers, and dreamers.

"We believe this is both the best way to increase adoption of embodied intelligence and to ensure that it is maximally beneficial to humanity."

Your First Personal Robot. From @kscalelabs

Under the Hood: Zeroth Bot’s Technical Marvels

Zeroth Bot isn’t just a toy—it’s a research-grade, AI-first platform packed with features:

Feature	Details
Processor	Milk-V DUO S (RISC-V & ARM cores, 0.5TOPS AI TPU)
Actuators	16–18 metal gear servos for articulated, human-like movement
Sensors	1080p wide-angle camera, 6-axis IMU, LED display, mic, speaker
Programming	Python & Rust APIs, open-source SDK, voice/gesture/code control
AI/ML	Supports RL locomotion, computer vision, LLM-based conversational AI
Simulation	Integrates with MuJoCo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Genesis for sim-to-real learning
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, rechargeable battery, untethered operation
Community	2,000+ active Discord members, open GitHub collaboration
Price	$350 (DIY kit) to <$1,000 (fully featured)

A humanoid robot stands against an orange background, featuring a camera, LED array, speaker, microphone, articulated arms with grippers, and segmented legs, each labelled with corresponding parts.

The specs for the Zeroth Bot a quite impressive for its cost. Image credit: Kickstarter

What does this mean for you?
You can train Zeroth Bot in simulation, deploy AI models for walking or manipulation, and even experiment with conversational AI—all with open-source tools and a thriving community to support you.

The Kickstarter Launch: Crowdfunding the Future

Zeroth Bot’s upcoming Kickstarter campaign is more than just a product launch—it’s a movement. Here’s what you need to know:

Funding Goal: Covers manufacturing, shipping, and reward fulfilment, ensuring a transparent, all-or-nothing approach.
Reward Tiers:
- DIY Kit: $350 for tinkerers and makers.
- Fully Assembled Bot: Under $1,000 for plug-and-play users.
- Accessory Bundles: Sensors, servos, and exclusive add-ons.
- Educational Packages: For classrooms and learning institutions.
Delivery Schedule: Staggered by tier, with clear estimated dates and regular updates .
Stretch Goals: Enhanced features, exclusive accessories, and community rewards as funding milestones are reached.
Backer Engagement: Regular updates, Q&A sessions, and prototype demos foster a transparent, collaborative campaign.

Why is this campaign different?
Every line of code, hardware design, and AI model is open-source. Backers aren’t just customers—they’re co-creators in a global robotics revolution.

Space Sci-Fi Inspiration and Real-World Impact

Zeroth Bot is explicitly inspired by the vision of accessible, general-purpose humanoid robots seen in space sci-fi—from Star Wars’ droids to the androids of Blade Runner. But this isn’t just about fantasy:

Space Applications: Zeroth Bot’s AI-first, sim-to-real design aligns with the robotics research used for space stations and planetary exploration. It’s a testbed for the kind of embodied AI that could one day assist astronauts or explore new worlds.
Education & Research: With its low price and open-source ethos, Zeroth Bot is already being adopted in classrooms and research labs for hands-on robotics and AI education.
Community-Driven Innovation: Over 2,000 developers and enthusiasts are already contributing to the project, sharing code, models, and ideas on Discord and GitHub.

How Zeroth Bot Stands Out in the Robotics Universe

Platform	Price Range	Open-Source	AI/ML Ready	Humanoid Form	Target User	Unique Features
Zeroth Bot	$350–$1,000	Yes	Yes	Yes	Developers, Edu, Hobbyists	Full-stack open-source, sim-to-real, affordable
Tesla Optimus	N/A (Enterprise)	No	Yes	Yes	Industry	Advanced AI, mass production goal
Boston Dynamics Atlas	$250,000+	No	Yes	Yes	Research, Industry	Dynamic mobility, acrobatics
Unitree G1	$16,000+	Partial	Yes	Yes	Research, Edu	Affordable for full-size, ROS support
TurtleBot /Poppy/LoCoBot	$500–$2,000	Yes	Limited	No/Partial	Education, Hobbyists	Modular, accessible, not full humanoid

Zeroth Bot’s edge:
It’s the only platform that combines radical affordability, a true humanoid form, full open-source access, and advanced AI/ML capabilities—making it the “Linux of humanoid robots” for the space sci-fi generation.

A robot with a rectangular, white and black body sits on the edge of a sleek, black table beside an open laptop, set against a solid orange backdrop, while a graphic indicating a USB connection hovers in the air.

The Zeroth Bot software package will provide a full suite for advanced customisation. Image credit: Kickstarter

The Road Ahead: Community, Collaboration, and the Sci-Fi Future

K-Scale Labs’ vision is bold: a world with billions of general-purpose robots, open to all, not just a privileged few. With the Kickstarter campaign, they’re inviting everyone—students, researchers, makers, and sci-fi fans—to help shape the future of robotics.

Open-Source Everything: All hardware, software, and AI models are MIT-licensed and available on GitHub.
Active Community: Join 2,000+ members on Discord, contribute to the codebase, and help drive the next wave of embodied AI.
Educational Impact: Zeroth Bot is already being used to teach robotics, programming, and AI in schools and universities worldwide.

A sleek, white humanoid robot with articulated limbs is showcased against a black background, displaying a dark screen face with a pixel heart symbol, emphasizing modern robotics and artificial intelligence technology.

A humanoid robot with a sleek black and white design is dynamically posed on one leg, set against a stark black background, showcasing advanced robotics technology.

Images showcasing Zeroth Bot's mobility. Image credit: zerothbot.com

Conclusion: The Space Sci-Fi Dream Is Now Open-Source

Zeroth Bot is more than a robot—it’s a movement to bring the promise of space sci-fi robotics to everyone. With its open-source philosophy, affordable price, and visionary team, it’s poised to become the go-to platform for anyone who wants to build, program, and experiment with the future of intelligent machines.

Ready to join the next generation of space sci-fi creators?
The Zeroth Bot Kickstarter is your launchpad. The future of humanoid robotics is open, affordable, and waiting for you to take the controls.