The AC-1 is Andbotics's first humanoid robot kit — built for students who want to learn robotics by actually doing it. You'll assemble the chassis, wire the electronics, and write the code that makes it move. No prior experience required!
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A robot you build yourself
The AC-1 uses a 3D-printed skeleton, 16 servo motors, and a BBC Micro:bit as its brain. You assemble every part — which means you understand every part!
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Code with MakeCode
You'll program the AC-1 using Microsoft MakeCode — a block-based coding platform that runs right in your browser. No software to install, no experience needed!
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Your first milestone: the Andbotics Wave
By the end of your first session, your AC-1 will raise its arm and wave. Every robot needs a first move — this is yours!
🤖
🧰 Chapter 2
What you'll need
Everything in your Andbotics kit, plus a few things you'll need at your workstation. Optional items are marked with a dashed border.
🦴
3D-printed chassis
49 parts — right leg (A1–A14), left leg (B1–B14), middle (C1–C11), right arm (D1–D5), left arm (E1–E5)
×1 kit
🧠
BBC Micro:bit v2
The robot's brain — runs your MakeCode programs!
×1
⚡
Waveshare Servo Driver
16-channel servo driver with edge connector for Micro:bit — no extra wires needed!
×1
💪
MG90S Micro Servos
9g metal-gear servos — one per joint. 16 total!
×16
Optional
🔋
Battery pack
6V NiMH pack or 2S LiPo — use this if you want to run the robot untethered from a computer.
×1
🔗
USB cable (Micro-B)
To connect your Micro:bit to your computer for programming.
×1
🪛
Screwdriver set
Small Phillips head for servo horns and chassis screws.
Workstation
🦴 Chassis assembly order — build in this sequence!
① Right Leg
Parts: A1 – A14 Servos: ×4 Build first!
② Left Leg
Parts: B1 – B14 Servos: ×4 Mirror of right leg
③ Middle / Body
Parts: C1 – C11 Servos: ×4 Hip turn · Shoulders · Head
④ Right Arm
Parts: D1 – D5 Servos: ×2 Shoulder + elbow
⑤ Left Arm
Parts: E1 – E5 Servos: ×2 Mirror of right arm
Total
49 parts 16 servos You got this! 🎉
📦
Parts check — tick everything off before you start!
Ready! 🎉
✅ Make sure you have everything
All 49 chassis parts are accounted for (A1–E5)
I have my BBC Micro:bit v2
Waveshare servo driver board is in the kit
I counted exactly 16 MG90S servos
USB cable and screwdriver are at my workstation
🔧 Chapter 3
Building the AC-1
Follow these steps in order. Take your time — a well-assembled robot is easier to program and debug!
🚨
Safety First!
Never touch or handle the AC-1 while it's powered on and running a program. Always disconnect power before adjusting any parts or servos.
📖🎨
Assembly Comic — Coming Soon!
Step-by-step comic illustrations showing how to build your AC-1 will appear here. For now, follow the written steps below!
01
Lay out all your parts
Done! 🎉
Before you start, unpack everything and arrange it on your workspace. Match each piece to the parts list above. Group them by section — legs, middle, and arms. If anything is missing, stop here and let your instructor know!
✓ Check: You should have 16 servos and 49 chassis parts. Count them now!
✅ Step checklist
Unpacked everything from the box
Parts grouped by section (legs, middle, arms)
Counted exactly 16 servos ✓
Nothing is missing — I'm ready to build!
02
Attach servos to the chassis
Done! 🎉
Press each MG90S servo into its slot in the printed chassis. Each joint has a labeled slot — shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and wrists. The servo should sit flush with no wobble. Secure with the included screws if your kit includes them!
⚠️ Don't force it. If a servo doesn't slide in easily, check the orientation. The shaft (the rotating part) should face outward.
✅ Step checklist
Shoulder servos seated and flush (left + right)
Elbow servos in place (left + right)
Hip, knee, and ankle servos all in their slots
All servos sitting flush — no wobble
All screws tightened (if included)
03
Attach servo horns
Done! 🎉
Servo horns are the small plastic arms that connect to the joint on the other side of the chassis. Press each horn onto the servo shaft and fasten with the small screw included with the servo. The horn should be centered — it'll click into place!
⚠️ Center before you screw. Power the servo to its neutral position (90°) before attaching the horn, or your joint range will be off.
✅ Step checklist
All servo horns pressed onto shafts
Each horn is centered (90° neutral position)
Horn screws fastened on all joints
04
Connect servos to the driver board
Done! 🎉
Each servo has a 3-wire connector: brown (ground), red (power), orange (signal). Plug each connector into its numbered channel on the Waveshare driver board. Use the AC-1 wiring diagram to match each joint to the correct channel number.
✓ The channels are numbered 0–15 on the board. Channel 0 = right shoulder!
✅ Step checklist
All 16 servo connectors plugged in
Each servo matches the wiring diagram channel
Channel 0 = right shoulder ✓
Brown/red/orange wires all oriented correctly
05
Connect the Micro:bit to the servo driver
Done! 🎉
The Waveshare servo driver has a built-in edge connector designed to clip directly onto the Micro:bit — no extra wires needed! Slide the Micro:bit into the edge connector slot on the board until it clicks firmly into place. The gold contact pads on the Micro:bit should line up with the connector pins.
✓ The Micro:bit snaps right onto the driver board — that's it! Double-check it's fully seated and secure before moving on.
🚨
Don't power on yet!
Make sure all servos are connected before plugging in power or USB. Always load your program first, then power on.
✅ Step checklist
Micro:bit inserted into the edge connector slot
Gold contact pads are aligned with connector pins
Micro:bit is fully seated and secure
Power is NOT connected yet ⚠️
06
Power up
Done! 🎉
Connect your Micro:bit to your computer using the USB cable — this provides power to both the Micro:bit and the servo driver during programming. If you're using a battery instead of the USB cable, connect it to the driver board's power input terminals (red to V+, black to GND).
✓ Assembly complete! Don't run any code yet — head to Chapter 4 first to load your program!
✅ Step checklist
USB cable connected to Micro:bit and computer
Micro:bit LED lights up ✓
Assembly is complete — no code running yet
🎉 I built a robot!
💻 Chapter 4
Programming basics
You'll write code in MakeCode, then flash it to the Micro:bit over USB. Here's how to go from zero to a moving robot!
🚨
Important — Read Before Running!
Never touch or handle the AC-1 while it's powered on and executing a program. Servo joints move quickly and can pinch fingers. Always set the robot down on a flat surface before pressing run!
01
Open MakeCode
Done! 🎉
Go to makecode.microbit.org in your browser. Click "New Project" and give your robot a name!
You'll see a block editor on the left and a Micro:bit simulator on the right.
✅ Step checklist
Opened makecode.microbit.org
Created a new project and named my robot!
I can see the block editor and simulator
02
Add the servo driver extension
Done! 🎉
The Waveshare driver needs an extension to work with MakeCode. Click Extensions in the block menu, then search for PCA9685. Select it — new servo blocks will appear in your toolbox!
✅ Step checklist
Clicked "Extensions" in the block menu
Searched for and added "PCA9685"
New servo blocks appear in my toolbox!
03
Write the Andbotics Wave
Done! 🎉
Add the blocks below to your project. Press Button A on the Micro:bit to run the Andbotics Wave! Choose your view — Blocks shows exactly what it looks like in MakeCode, Python shows the full code!
✓ The numbers are servo angles in degrees. 90 = neutral. Experiment with them — that's how you learn!
✅ Step checklist
Added the reset block in "on start"
Added the full wave sequence under "on button A pressed"
Code matches the example above!
04
Flash to your Micro:bit
Done! 🎉
Click Download in MakeCode — a .hex file will download. Drag it onto the MICROBIT drive that appears on your computer. The yellow LED on the Micro:bit will flash while it loads, then stop when it's done!
✅ Step checklist
Clicked "Download" and got a .hex file
Dragged .hex file onto the MICROBIT drive
Yellow LED stopped flashing — it's loaded!
05
Run the program and watch it move!
Done! 🎉
Place the AC-1 on a flat surface. Press Button A on the Micro:bit to trigger the wave! If you're using a battery instead of the USB cable, you can disconnect USB and run the robot untethered!
🚨
Keep your hands clear!
Do not touch or hold the AC-1 while it's moving. Place it on a flat surface, step back, then press the button. Wait for all movement to stop before picking it up.
⚠️ If servos twitch or jitter: your power supply may be underpowered. If using a battery, check that it can supply at least 2A.
✅ Step checklist
AC-1 placed on a flat surface
Pressed Button A — wave triggered!
🎉 My AC-1 waved for the first time!
🏆 Chapter 5
Milestones
Each milestone is something you can actually demo — to your class, your parents, or the world! Tap each one to unlock it as you go!
👋
Milestone 1 — The Andbotics Wave
Your robot raises its arm and waves. This is your first proof that everything works — hardware, wiring, and code!
Tap to unlock
🕹️
Milestone 2 — Button control
Trigger a motion using the Micro:bit's onboard buttons. Press A to wave, press B to bow. You're now building interactive behavior!
Tap to unlock
🤸
Milestone 3 — Your own gesture
Design and program any motion you want — a dance move, a salute, a stretch. This one is yours to invent!
Tap to unlock
🚶
Milestone 4 — First steps
Coordinate the legs to take a step forward. Walking is one of the hardest things a robot can do — you'll figure out why!
Tap to unlock
🎤
Milestone 5 — Demo day
Present your AC-1 to an audience. Show what it does, explain how it works, and talk about what you'd build next!
Tap to unlock
🎉🤖🎉
You crushed every milestone!
You built, programmed, and demoed a real humanoid robot. That's not normal — that's incredible!
🚀 Chapter 6
Where to go next
You've built and programmed a humanoid robot. Here's what that unlocks!
🔬
Add sensors
The Micro:bit has a built-in accelerometer, compass, and light sensor. Use them to make your robot react to the real world — tilt, shake, or bright light can all trigger a motion!
🧠
Learn about AI
The next frontier for robots is intelligence — the ability to perceive, decide, and act without being explicitly programmed for every situation. Andbotics's advanced curriculum covers how AI and robots work together!
🎨
Design your own parts
The AC-1 chassis is open — you can modify it, add to it, or design entirely new parts. Tools like Shapr3D or TinkerCAD let you create 3D models you can print and attach!
🌍
Join the Andbotics community
Share what you've built! Follow Andbotics on Instagram to see what other students are making — and post your own Andbotics Wave when you're ready!
🏁
Final checklist
Complete! 🚀
✅ Click everything to finish the project!
I assembled the full AC-1 chassis
All 16 servos are connected to the driver board
The Micro:bit is seated in the edge connector
I flashed my first program and it ran!
My AC-1 completed the Andbotics Wave!
I programmed at least one custom gesture!
🚨
Always remember
Never touch or handle the AC-1 while it's powered on and running a program. Set it down on a flat surface before every run, and wait for all movement to fully stop before picking it up. Stay safe and have fun building!
