Waveshare RoArm-M2 ESP32 Robotic Arm Can Be Controlled with Your Phone

The Waveshare RoArm-M2 ESP32 Robotic Arm series, including the RoArm-M2-S and RoArm-M2-Pro, are 4-degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) robotic arms powered by the ESP32-WROOM-32U module with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The main difference between the two Arms is that the RoArm-M2-S utilizes standard servos, while the RoArm-M2-Pro features all-metal ST3235 bus servos for enhanced durability and performance. Designed for educational, research, industrial automation, and DIY robotics projects, the RoArm-M2 offers precision motion control through a 12-bit magnetic encoder and dual-drive technology, supporting up to 0.5 kg payloads with a workspace diameter of 1 meter.

Key features include support for wireless and wired control (WiFi, ESP-NOW, UART, and USB), an OLED display, I2C/SPI interfaces, LiDAR compatibility, and an expansion header for Raspberry Pi or other host devices. Sensors like a 3-axis compass, 6-axis motion sensor, and current monitoring chip enable versatile applications. It also supports software tools like the Arduino IDE, ROS2, and a web-based control interface for cross-platform usage. With customizable end-of-arm tools and mounting options, the RoArm-M2 is ideal for tasks like robotics education, automation demos, research, and interactive DIY projects.

RoArm-M2 ESP32 Robotic Arm Specifications

• Control Board: ESP32-based
• Degrees of Freedom (DOF): 4-DOF robotic arm
• Servos:
  • Supports 3x standard servos
  • Supports 1x bus servo
• Materials: Carbon fiber arm structure
• Connectivity:
  • USB interface
  • Wi-Fi communication (ESP32)
• I/O and Interfaces:
  • I2C interface
  • LiDAR support
  • UART for bus servo control
• Power Supply
  • 12V, 5A power supply with 2-channel supply switch
  • Supports 3S Lithium batteries (NOT included)
• Dimensions:
  • Horizontal reach – 280.15 mm to 283.84 mm (depending on arm configuration)
  • Vertical height – 236.82 mm (from the base to the top of the arm)
  • Base width – 87.35 mm to 91.45 mm (including clamp mechanism)
  • Clamp thickness support – Up to 86 mm
  • End-effector dimensions
    • Length – 67.85 mm
    • Width  – 5.23 mm
• Weight:
  • RoArm-M2-S – 826 ±15g
  • RoArm-M2-Pro – 873.3 ±15g
  • Table Edge Fixing Clamp – 290g ±10g

The company mentions that The RoArm-M2 ESP32 robotic arm features a customizable End-of-Arm Tool (EoAT) clamp, adding an extra degree of freedom for complex tasks. It supports manual operation via a web-based control interface and host operation through UART, USB, ESP-NOW (no feedback), and HTTP using JSON commands. Compatible with hosts like Raspberry Pi, Jetson Orin Nano, and PCs via USB, the arm uses a TTL serial bus servo with direct-drive joints for smooth, precise motion.

In terms of software, there are many things that are Open-source, it supports Arduino IDE programming, ROS2 for advanced robotics, and a cross-platform web app for control from phones, tablets, or computers, with documentation and tutorials available on the Waveshare Wiki page.

The RoArm-M2-xx series ESP32 robotic arms are available on Amazon for $223.99 (RoArm-M2-S) and on AliExpress for $206.07 (RoArm-M2-S) and $332.11 (RoArm-M2-Pro). You can also get it from the Waveshare Store.

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