GETTING STARTED

Start here

This is a field guide, not a kit in a box. Read safety, inventory tools you already own, then order long-lead electronics. Software and printing run while packages ship.

Order of operations

  1. Read safety. If you will not honor a hardware e-stop, stop here.
  2. Skim the body spec so later parts still fit the head.
  3. Inventory tools: computer, multimeter, screwdrivers, strippers. Printer or a bureau.
  4. Order long-lead Strong BOM items: compute, then camera, then IMU/audio, then servos and power. Parts list.
  5. Do not buy Phase 2 arm kits yet.
  6. Print pan-tilt and skull in PETG. Heat-set inserts. Dry-fit.
  7. Wire dual rails. Prove the servo rail dies when you press e-stop.
  8. Bring-up: boot, camera for 10 minutes, audio, IMU axes, then slow servos.
  9. ROS 2 topics, look-at behavior, 30 minute continuous demo.
  10. Keep your own journal. The guide log on this site is the recipe history, not your bench notes.

What this site is not

  • Not a shopping cart or affiliate store.
  • Not a private diary. No home addresses, no account logins, no camera dumps.
  • Not AetherOS and not clothing for Optimus.
  • Not a weapon, covert-surveillance, or unsupervised-nanny design.
Next physical move: inventory tools, then order compute and the depth camera. Sim work can start the same day.