# Episode 109: Building robots at home - Dan Nicholson

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2025-02-14
- Length: 24m
- Episode: 109
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-109-dan-nicholson-building-robots-at-home

## Summary

Dan Nicholson, founder of MakerForge.tech, discusses his journey from a software engineer to building a large-scale open-source bipedal companion robot. He explains how he transitioned from a simple cube design to a complex, 3D-printable robot using hobby servos, Raspberry Pi, and cloud-based CAD tools to make robotics accessible to non-experts. Nicholson highlights the challenges of balancing cost and functionality in hobby robotics, the importance of rapid prototyping with 3D printing, and the value of open-source collaboration in accelerating development and community engagement.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=7) Introduction: Dan Nicholson and MakerForge.tech
- [2:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=138) Building the Bipodal Robot: From Cube to Open Source
- [6:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=404) Community Growth and Modular Design
- [7:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=471) Challenges of Hobby Robotics: Cost and Accessibility
- [10:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=617) Design Inspiration and Rapid Prototyping with 3D Printing
- [11:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=705) Learning Robotics: Classes, Cloud ROS, and Resources
- [14:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=863) The Future of Companion Robots and AI
- [18:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=1083) The Critical Role of Open Source Software and Hardware
- [19:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson#t=1152) Future Directions: Walking and Compact Design

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- MakerForge.tech (company)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- Arduino (chip)
- Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order (other)
- ROS (other)
- VM (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 20 | Dr. Aaron Edsinger, CEO & Co-founder of Hello Robot and Former Head of Robotics at Google on Humanity in Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-03-18-ep-20-dr-aaron-edsinger-ceo-co-founder-of-hello-robot-and-former-head-of-robotic) (Moore's Lobby)
- [325: Hasn't Been R2D2'd](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-03-26-325-hasnt-been-r2d2d) (Embedded.fm)
- [406: R2D2 Is a Trash Can](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-03-17-406-r2d2-is-a-trash-can) (Embedded.fm)
- [An Interview with Chris Anderson - Deambulatory Daedal Drones](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-07-23-an-interview-with-chris-anderson-deambulatory-daedal-drones) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Bart Dring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-04-15-an-interview-with-bart-dring) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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