Robotic Reference Designs Based on Seeed Studio XIAO
Discover how makers around the world are redefining robotics with Seeed Studio XIAO! This blog showcases a curated collection of innovative, community-driven robotic projects—ranging from self-balancing bots and FPV rovers to emotion-aware companions and AI-powered assistants. Powered by the tiny yet powerful XIAO Series, these builds highlight the versatility of XIAO in robotics applications that demand compact design, wireless connectivity, and real-time control. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, these reference designs are the perfect starting point for your next robotic creation.
With its thumb-sized form factor, powerful performance, and robust IO capabilities, the Seeed Studio XIAO Series is redefining what’s possible in compact robotics. Designed with all SMD components placed on a single side, Seeed Studio XIAO boards not only function as standalone development boards but also seamlessly integrate into larger embedded systems. Their small footprint, diverse microcontroller options (ESP32, RP2040, RP2350, nRF52840, and SAMD21, RA4M1, and MG24), and compatibility with rich peripherals make them ideal for robotics applications where space, processing power, and real-time control are essential.
In this blog, we’ve made a series of community-driven robotic projects as reference designs that highlight the versatility of the Seeed Studio XIAO Series. Whether you’re just starting out in robotics or looking to build your next compact machine, these reference designs will provide inspiration and guidance.
Created by: Daehwa Kim (CMU), Mario Srouji, Chen Chen, Jian Zhang
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3
ARMOR is an innovative wearable sensor system for humanoid robots like the GR1, combining XIAO ESP32S3 microcontrollers and SparkFun VL53L5CX ToF sensors to create a real-time egocentric depth sensing network. The sensors stream data to a Jetson Xavier NX, then to a high-performance Linux machine with RTX 4090, allowing a transformer-based policy (ARMOR-Policy) to generate safe, nimble trajectories. Read the details here.
Created by: Steven Man, Soma Narita, Josef Macera, Naomi Oke, Aaron M. Johnson, and Sarah Bergbreiter
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
It is the world’s smallest power-autonomous bipedal robot, standing just 3.6 cm tall! Zippy packs high-speed agility, passive dynamic walking, and open-loop control — all powered by our XIAO nRF52840. With a single DC motor, 3D-printed limbs, and mechanical ingenuity, Zippy walks without sensors or complex feedback systems, making it ideal for micro-scale environments. Check it out here for more details.
Creator: Max Imagination
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
ESP-ROLL is a 3D-printed, camera-equipped spherical robot that rolls smoothly on various surfaces without external wheels or balance sensors. Built by Max Imagination and powered by the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, it features custom PCBs, LED lighting, motion-triggered video recording, and real-time FPV control via Wi-Fi. Housed in a transparent ornament shell, this compact bot is a fun, low-cost robotics project with full build details available on Electromaker and YouTube.
Creator: Nickson Kiprotich
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
The FPV Robot Car is a remotely controlled car with live video streaming, powered by the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense microcontroller. It features a motor driver, LED, and Wi-Fi antenna, operating as an access point for web-based joystick control and real-time video feed. Developed using Arduino IDE, the project blends robotics, AI, and IoT, with future plans for autonomous navigation and advanced sensors. Check out the detailed tutorial here.
Creator: Gokul Kb
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
The ESP32-Powered 4×4 RC Rover is a fully 3D-printed, Wi-Fi-controlled off-road vehicle designed for remote operation via a web-based joystick interface. Powered by the XIAO ESP32C3 microcontroller, it features a custom motor driver PCB, four DC motors for true 4×4 drive, and a voltage booster to optimize performance. The rover operates as a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing users to control it from any device with a browser. Developed for enthusiasts of robotics, RC vehicles, and IoT, this DIY project blends mechanical engineering and electronics, with a focus on compact design and wireless functionality. More details here.
Creator: Xuliang
Powered by: XIAO SAMD21(Seeeduino XIAO)
This beginner-friendly project showcases how to build an autonomous robot that detects and avoids obstacles using ultrasonic sensors. The Seeeduino XIAO microcontroller controls a mini round robot chassis equipped with TT DC motors, Grove-I2C Mini Motor Driver, and a servo-mounted ultrasonic sensor for scanning. The robot operates using simple Arduino code, allowing it to move forward, stop, retreat, and turn based on detected obstacles. With a rechargeable battery and a compact design, it’s a great starting point for learning robotics and sensor-based movement control. Click here for more details.
Creator: Just Do Electronics
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
This project demonstrates how to build a DIY robot car equipped with a camera using the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense microcontroller. The tutorial walks through assembling the hardware, wiring the circuit, and coding the functionality of the robot. It provides resources such as a code link and circuit diagram, making it accessible for electronics enthusiasts interested in robotics and remote-controlled systems
Creator: Makestreme
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
Gus is a DIY smart robot designed to monitor air quality, temperature, and humidity using expressive OLED eyes that visually react to environmental conditions. When air quality is poor, Gus looks sleepy—prompting users to improve their surroundings. Built with foam board and integrated sensors, the project combines electronics, coding, and fabrication to create an interactive desktop companion. The tutorial provides step-by-step instructions, including wiring diagrams and code, making it a great educational and fun electronics project. Click here for more details.
Creator: Jaime Andres Rincon Arango
Powered by: XIAO SAMD21(Seeeduino XIAO), Grove Vision AI Module V2 and XIAO ESP32C3
This project introduces an AI-powered assistant designed to support physical rehabilitation and health monitoring for elderly individuals. Using edge computing and machine learning, the assistant can recognize and classify objects, monitor human movements, and provide interactive guidance. The system includes OLED facial animations, human pose detection for exercise accuracy, and multi-class classification powered by embedded AI models. Built with servo-controlled mobility and a cloud-connected analysis framework, it offers a versatile companion for improving well-being through smart interaction and exercise tracking. Find more details here.
Creator: Ivan Arakistain
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
This project presents a remote-controlled robot designed for environmental anomaly detection, specifically hydrogen gas leaks. Built using an old hoverboard, the robot repurposes existing BLDC motors and battery to transport gas sensors and AI-powered detection modules. With cellular connectivity via Blues Wireless and Edge Impulse-based machine learning, it analyzes air quality in real time and alerts users to anomalies. The tutorial includes full schematics, firmware modification guides, and remote operation setup using a web interface for live control and monitoring. You can find the tutorial here.
Creator: The Wrench
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3
This project showcases a 3D-printed, smartphone-controlled tank equipped with FPV (first-person view) capabilities using the XIAO ESP32S3. The tutorial guides users through assembling the chassis, wiring the components, and programming the tank to operate remotely via Wi-Fi. With an integrated camera module for live streaming, this compact vehicle allows real-time control from a web interface. The build process includes detailed instructions, 3D design files, and circuit diagrams, making it accessible for DIY robotics and IoT enthusiasts.
Creator: Techiesms
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
This project features a compact, web-controlled robot car equipped with a built-in camera, allowing users to monitor and control it via a smartphone or laptop interface. The tutorial explains hardware assembly, wiring, and programming, ensuring accessibility for DIY enthusiasts. The robot operates on the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, utilizing its onboard processing capabilities for real-time video streaming and remote navigation. The video includes schematics, a code link, and setup guidance, making it a great project for IoT and robotics enthusiasts.
Creator: Harshith Aradhya
Powered by: XIAO RP2040
This project demonstrates how to build a compact self-balancing robot using the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 microcontroller. The tutorial explores stabilization techniques, motor control, and sensor integration, allowing the robot to maintain its balance while moving. It’s designed for DIY robotics enthusiasts interested in motion dynamics and embedded systems. The short video offers a quick glimpse of the robot in action, showcasing its smooth balancing mechanism.
Creator: Nickson Kiprotich
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
TN-24 V2.0 is a 3D-printed, OLED-faced desktop robot companion that reacts with emotion, wiggles when ignored, and can be remotely controlled through a browser interface. Originally made from cardboard, the new version features a sleek body and enhanced interactivity. Check out the detailed step-by-step guide here.
Creator: moononournation
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3
This project showcases how to build a miniature tank powered by the XIAO ESP32S3 and an external camera module. The robot offers Wi-Fi control and live video streaming capabilities. The tutorial includes detailed build instructions, part sourcing links, and a walkthrough for getting your tank up and running. A great starting point for anyone looking to explore remote-controlled vision robotics. Check out the detailed guide here.
Creator: Gokul Kb
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
Inspired by screw-propelled vehicles used in extreme terrain like swamps and snow, this fully 3D-printed design brings the concept to a hobbyist scale. Using minimal components, the robot is easy to build and doesn’t rely on complex mechanics like ball bearings. The XIAO ESP32S3 Sense handles wireless control and real-time video streaming, making it a perfect experiment for terrain exploration. Check out the details here.
Creator: Arnov Sharma
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This compact self-balancing robot is built on a three-layer architecture: motor control, battery management, and sensing with the XIAO ESP32C3. It integrates an MPU6050 gyro/accelerometer to maintain balance and uses a 3V gear motor powered by a 3.7V 2200mAh lithium cell with an IP5306 Boost Module. The project is still in development, but it’s an excellent example of a minimalist balancing bot setup. Check out the detailed step-by-step guide here.
Creator: Andrew Benson
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This innovative project turns robotics into a game with affordable hexapod robots designed for sumo wrestling. The design emphasizes minimal components and an accessible BOM, making it ideal for beginners. Users can gain hands-on experience in mechanical design, electronics, and programming while engaging in a fun, competitive learning experience. Click here for more details.
Creator: Taachimaru
Powered by: XIAO RP2040
This RC car project highlights the wireless capabilities of the XIAO RP2040. Controlled via a smartphone app over Bluetooth, the car includes a custom PCB with a motor driver, voltage regulator, and Bluetooth module—all designed in Eagle. The system delivers responsive control within a 30-meter range, making it a solid reference for mobile robotics and app integration. Click here for more details.
Build Your Own XIAO Robot
Whether you’re developing terrain-traversing robots, balance bots, or remote-controlled vehicles, the Seeed Studio XIAO Series offers the performance and size you need. With microcontroller options tailored for wireless, low-power, and real-time applications, it’s your go-to platform for tiny but mighty robotics.
Explore More
Have a project idea or question? Reach out to us at maker@seeed.cc—we’re always excited to hear from makers and developers like you!
Other Reference Designs for Seeed Studio XIAO
Last but not least, for makers and developers who are looking for project inspirations, we’ve curated several similar project collections based on the applications. Feel free to check out to get inspired for your next builds.
End Note
Hey community, we’re curating a monthly newsletter centering around the beloved Seeed Studio XIAO. If you want to stay up-to-date with:
️ Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials
Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler
Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution
News: events, contests, and other community stuff
Please click the image below
to subscribe now!
About Author
How does XIAO compare to other development boards on the market?
Hi, here are three key advantages of XIAO compared with others:
1) Dev board and module hybrid enabling rapid prototype, thumb-sized, all components are single-sided
2) Rich project resources, you can check other XIAO projects here: https://www.seeedstudio.com/blog/?s=XIAO
3) Supported by Seeed Studio Manufacturing service, seamless experience from prototype to large-scale production if you are a product designer
This blog provides more comprehensive information, please check it:
https://www.seeedstudio.com/blog/2023/02/23/xiao-som-user-manual-the-ultimate-guide-to-streamline-product-design-providing-seamless-experience-from-module-selection-to-mass-production/