nanosaur
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About
nanosaur is an open-source, Italian-designed robotics platform specifically built for the NVIDIA Jetson ecosystem. It is a compact, 3D-printable dinosaur-shaped robot measuring approximately 10x12x6 cm, making it small enough to operate on a standard desk. The project's primary goal is to serve as a tangible learning tool for individuals looking to bridge the gap between software development and physical hardware, particularly within the realms of artificial intelligence and the Robot Operating System (ROS). The robot operates on a 2-track drive system and is equipped with a camera and two OLED displays that serve as expressive eyes. It utilizes a complete ROS 2 pipeline, leveraging NVIDIA Isaac ROS GEMs for AI-powered tasks like autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance. The architecture is modular and based on Docker containers, which simplifies the installation and deployment of complex robotics software. This setup allows users to experiment with high-level controllers and AI models in a controlled, desktop-sized environment. This platform is specifically tailored for robotics students, educators, and professional developers who want to gain hands-on experience with ROS 2 and the NVIDIA Jetson hardware suite. Because it is fully open-source and requires 3D printing, it also appeals to the maker community and DIY electronics enthusiasts. It provides a structured path from assembly to advanced simulation, including tutorials and dedicated courses that guide users through building ROS 2 packages and implementing AI algorithms. What sets nanosaur apart is its integration of professional-grade robotics software with a highly accessible, miniature form factor. While many educational robots use proprietary or simplified software, nanosaur employs the same ROS 2 and Isaac ROS tools used in industrial AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) applications. As the winner of the Best ROS Robot 2022 award, it stands as a community-validated platform that offers a rare combination of 3D-printability, open-source transparency, and high-performance AI capabilities.
Pros & Cons
Awarded Best ROS Robot 2022 by the developer community
Fully open-source and customizable design
Compact desktop-friendly size (10x12x6 cm)
Comprehensive documentation and educational courses available
Uses industry-standard tools like ROS 2 and Docker
Requires access to a 3D printer for construction
User must source and assemble individual electronic components
Hardware costs for NVIDIA Jetson and sensors are not included
Limited to small-scale indoor environments due to its size
Use Cases
Robotics students can move from theoretical ROS 2 concepts to practical hardware implementation on a budget.
AI developers can leverage the NVIDIA Jetson integration to test and deploy computer vision models in a real-world environment.
Makers can follow the open-source guides to 3D print and assemble a sophisticated, autonomous dinosaur robot.
Educators can use the provided courses and modular architecture to teach professional-grade robotics software pipelines.
Platform
Task
Features
• autonomous navigation
• 2-track drive system
• open-source hardware/software
• nvidia jetson integration
• dual oled eye displays
• docker-based architecture
• ros 2 & isaac ros support
• 3d printable chassis
FAQs
What hardware is required to build a nanosaur?
The robot is powered by an NVIDIA Jetson module and requires a 3D printer for the chassis. You will also need specific components like motors, a camera, and two OLED screens as detailed in the technical documentation.
Does nanosaur support ROS 2?
Yes, nanosaur is built natively on ROS 2 and uses a complete ROS 2 pipeline for its operations. It also integrates with NVIDIA Isaac ROS GEMs for hardware-accelerated AI tasks.
Is there a simulation environment available?
Yes, nanosaur includes simulation support, allowing developers to test their code and AI models in a virtual environment before deploying them to the physical hardware.
Can I use a power bank to power the robot?
The robot is designed to be powered by a power bank with Power Delivery (PD) supporting at least 3W. This ensures the NVIDIA Jetson and motors have sufficient power for autonomous operation.
Pricing Plans
Open Source
Free Plan• Open-source software
• 3D printable STL files
• ROS 2 & Isaac ROS integration
• Access to tutorials
• Access to community Discord
• Docker-based architecture
• Simulation support
Job Opportunities
There are currently no job postings for this AI tool.
Ratings & Reviews
No ratings available yet. Be the first to rate this tool!
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