Hiwonder MechDog Open Source AI Robot Dog Standard Kit

Specifications:

• Robot Type: Bionic Quadruped Robot Dog
• Main Controller: ESP32-based Robot Controller
• Actuators: 8× HPS-0618SG High-Speed Coreless Servos
• Degrees of Freedom: 8-DOF (2 per leg)
• Kinematics Engine: Built-in Inverse Kinematics (IK) for Gait Planning
• Primary Sensor: Glowy Ultrasonic Distance Sensor with RGB Feedback
• Programming Support: Arduino IDE, MicroPython, Scratch
• Operating Voltage: 7.4V DC (2S LiPo Power System)
• Included Battery: 7.4V 1500mAh 5C Lithium Battery
• Frame Material: Hard Aluminum Alloy
• Communication Interface: USB / Bluetooth (App Control) / Wi-Fi
• Physical Dimensions: 214mm × 126mm × 138mm
• Product Weight: 560g
• Primary Applications: Bionic Movement Research, STEM Education, Autonomous Navigation

Unlock New Capabilities

• Past Projects If you've already experimented with simple 2WD obstacle-avoiding cars, built basic servo-driven robotic arms, or written standard IoT scripts for an ESP32, you already understand the fundamentals of PWM control and sensor logic — which means you're ready to graduate from spinning wheels to true bionic articulation.
• Feature Upgrade This MechDog Standard Kit unlocks the complex world of quadruped kinematics. Instead of writing basic forward-backward motor commands, you will learn to implement inverse kinematics (IK) algorithms to generate dynamic trot, walk, and self-balancing gaits. Combined with the programmable RGB ultrasonic sensor, this platform enables advanced autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance in environments where wheeled robots would get stuck.
• Effort Level & Minimum Hardware
• Effort Level: Advanced

Included in the Box:

• 1× MechDog Hard Aluminum Alloy Frame
• 8× HPS-0618SG High-Speed Coreless Servos
• 1× ESP32-based Robot Controller Board
• 1× Glowy RGB Ultrasonic Distance Sensor
• 1× 7.4V 1500mAh 5C LiPo Battery
• 1× 2S LiPo Balance Charger
• 1× Hardware & Assembly Tool Kit

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the MechDog compatible with the Arduino IDE?
  Yes, the ESP32 controller board is fully programmable using the standard Arduino IDE with the ESP32 board manager installed.
• Can I control the MechDog using a smartphone app?
  Yes, the built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the ESP32 allow for real-time mobile app control and remote teleoperation.
• Is the MechDog compatible with Scratch visual programming?
  Yes, beginners can use drag-and-drop Scratch-based visual block software to program basic walking routines and sensor triggers.
• Can I mount a camera or additional sensors on the frame?
  Yes, the aluminum alloy chassis includes expansion mounting holes and extra GPIO ports on the expansion board for adding modules like the ESP32-CAM.
• What battery does the MechDog use?
  The MechDog uses a 7.4V 1500mAh 5C 2S LiPo battery with a dedicated balance charging connector.
• How long does the battery last on a full charge?
  A fully charged battery provides approximately 25 to 35 minutes of continuous walking and balancing depending on gait speed.
• Can I power the MechDog directly via USB while walking?
  No, the USB connection only provides power to the ESP32 microchip for programming; the 8 high-torque servos require power from the 7.4V battery.
• Where does the Glowy Ultrasonic Sensor plug into the expansion board?
  The sensor plugs into the designated 4-pin I2C/GPIO expansion port marked specifically for the RGB ultrasonic module.
• How are the 8 leg servos wired to the main controller?
  Each leg servo plugs into numbered 3-pin PWM headers (Ports 1–8) on the ESP32 expansion board following the manual's color-coded pinout.
• Do I need an external servo driver board to control all 8 servos?
  No, the custom ESP32 expansion board features an integrated multi-channel PCA9685 PWM driver to handle all 8 servos effortlessly.
• Where can I download the open-source code for MechDog?
  All Arduino libraries, MicroPython scripts, and inverse kinematics example code are available on Hiwonder's official GitHub repository.
• Are the inverse kinematics algorithms customizable?
  Yes, the Python and C++ source code is completely open-source, allowing students and researchers to tweak leg step heights, stance width, and gait timing.
• How do I program the RGB LEDs on the ultrasonic sensor?
  The LEDs are controlled via software using simple library function calls to change colors, pulse rates, or signal obstacle detection states.
• Why is the MechDog falling over or walking awkwardly?
  This typically occurs if the servo horns were attached at incorrect angles during leg assembly; rerun the servo zero-point calibration script.
• Why do the servos buzz or twitch when the robot stops?
  Minor servo buzzing is normal under mechanical load, but excessive twitching indicates a low battery voltage requiring immediate recharge.