Kindly Morrow
4-DOF Robot Arm Kit with Arduino UNO R3 Compatible Control
Four axes of motion, fully programmable from Arduino IDE. This desktop arm runs on PWM servo control and accepts serial commands over USB, so you can go from assembly to moving parts in an afternoon. Build the hardware once, then focus entirely on the code.
Each servo delivers 180° of rotation via standard Arduino PWM signals, controlled through the Servo.h library with no additional drivers needed. The potentiometer teach mode lets you physically pose the arm and capture joint angles directly, which is a practical shortcut for recording waypoints before you write full motion sequences. Clear acrylic panels keep the drivetrain visible so you can debug mechanics and code at the same time.
Things to build with this
- Mount a TCS34725 color sensor to the gripper and program the arm to sort small objects into bins by detected RGB hue, using the teach mode to record bin positions as named waypoints in your sketch
- Parse SVG path data in Python, convert coordinates to joint angle sequences via inverse kinematics, and send serial commands to have the arm render vector line art on paper with a mounted pen
- Flash a serial command listener and script repetitive pick-and-place movements from a Python loop to assist with placing through-hole components on a PCB, using the 100-200g payload limit to handle small parts without slipping
Key Features
- 4 servo motors: each with 180° rotation, driven by standard PWM signals from the included Arduino UNO R3 compatible board
- USB serial interface: send real-time movement commands from a terminal or Python script via PySerial during active development
- Potentiometer teach mode: manually position each joint and capture angle values for direct use in code, no guessing at coordinates
- Arduino IDE compatible: works out of the box with Servo.h and standard serial libraries, no custom toolchain required
- Clear acrylic frame: fully visible drivetrain so mechanical issues and software behavior are easy to correlate
- 5V operation: runs from standard Arduino USB power or any 5V power bank, no bench supply needed
- Complete DIY kit: all fasteners, servo horns, acrylic panels, and assembly instructions included, no soldering required
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this include the Arduino UNO R3, or just the arm hardware?
The kit includes the arm hardware and an Arduino UNO R3 compatible board. You will need a USB-A to USB-B cable and a computer with Arduino IDE installed.
Can I control this from Python instead of writing Arduino sketches?
Yes. Flash a serial command listener to the Arduino once, then send movement commands from any language that can write to a serial port. Python with PySerial is the most common setup and works well for scripting sequences or live control.
What payload can the arm actually lift?
Expect roughly 100 to 200 grams at the end effector, depending on extension angle. These are hobby servos rated for small objects. They are not suited for anything requiring consistent force or industrial-grade repeatability.
Is this a reasonable first hardware project for someone who codes but has never built anything physical?
Yes. Assembly takes one to two hours and requires no soldering. The PWM servo interface is well-documented, and the Arduino Servo library includes working examples you can run immediately after putting it together.
Why we stock this
Curated by Kindly Morrow. We test and vet every product before it hits the store. If we wouldn't use it in our own builds, we don't sell it.
Things to build with this
Fun projects to try once you get your hands on it.
AI-controlled robot arm that sorts your desk
Connect it to Claude, point a camera at your desk, and let it pick up pens and put them back in the holder. Gloriously unnecessary.
Line-following robot for your hallway
Tape a black line from your office to the kitchen. The robot follows it carrying your coffee mug. Will your cat attack it? Probably.
Gesture-controlled car
Strap an accelerometer to your hand and steer the robot car by tilting. Makes you feel like a Jedi. Kids will never give it back.
Security patrol bot
Program a route through your house. Add a camera. Stream to your phone. Your dog will be confused, but your house will be watched.
