Berkeley Humanoid Lite opens up robotics to meet low-cost, open-source design and makes it accessible for students and hobbyists to create custom humanoid robots.

Berkeley scientists have introduced Berkeley Humanoid Lite a low-cost, open-source humanoid robot that can also be used to introduce students, teachers, and do-it-yourselfers to robotics. Developed by a team of Ph.D. student Yufeng Chi and a department of the electrical engineering and computer sciences, it was shown off at the 2025 Robotics Science and Systems (RSS) gathering in Los Angeles.

The robot is assembled from 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf products and costs less than 5,000 dollars, bringing the price of entry to practical robotics research to a very low level. It can be easily built and replaced with actuators through the modular design and is thus ideal for learning and customization.

The open-source framework also has built-in software and learning structures and fosters teamwork in humanoid robotics. Such tasks as grasping and walking have already been shown using reinforcement learning and joystick teleoperation.

Chi also stressed that, although the movements of the robot are still in the process of developing, its preconditions as an educational tool are enormous. “Our dream with Berkeley Humanoid Lite is to get a world community participating in the design and development of humans in humanoid robotics,” he added. This effort is becoming a giant leap towards democratizing robotic development outside of expensive labs.