Welcome to ALANA, the cutting-edge open-source humanoid robot that’s winning over tech enthusiasts with its affordable design and versatile features. Crafted by Shashwat Batish, this life-size robot is entirely 3D printed and comes with everything you need – even a locally run chatbot powered by a large language model.
Although ALANA doesn’t sport legs or a head, its design is all about natural interaction. Its arms, built with six degrees of freedom, mimic human movement using robust yet economical components. For instance, the Johnson geared motors, running at 10 RPM, deliver plenty of torque while drawing only 15 watts; there’s even an option for faster movements with 30–60 RPM motors.
The shoulder joint cleverly turns a standard motor into a servo via a potentiometer and a custom 3D-printed cover, making adjustments straightforward. Meanwhile, ALANA’s main 12V DC motor is securely fixed with screws and threaded inserts, complete with a clear position marker. A simple LM358 circuit keeps everything under control and is compatible with popular microcontrollers like the 5V Arduino and 3.3V ESP32 boards.
Powering the system is a Zebronics 450W computer supply, neatly providing 12V to the motors, 5V to the main controller, and 3.3V for future sensors. The robot’s lightweight structure – made from PVC pipes – proves that effective robotics doesn’t have to be expensive.
ALANA’s built-in camera enables facial and object recognition, adding a personal touch to its interactions. While the cost-effective ESP8266 microcontroller handles basic tasks, more demanding processes such as speech and vision are managed by an external computer over Wi-Fi. A text-to-speech engine gives ALANA a friendly voice, and its local language model makes conversations feel natural and engaging.
If you’ve ever wrestled with clunky tech that feels impersonal, you’ll appreciate ALANA’s user-focused design and quirky personality. The robot not only moves with human-like grace but also interacts in a way that’s both lively and approachable.
