From Zero to Robot: How to Start an Open Source Robotics Project and Why It Matters

Starting an open-source robotics project is both deeply rewarding and surprisingly difficult. From choosing the right hardware platform and software stack to building a community and navigating licensing — the path from idea to thriving project is full of non-obvious decisions.

Luke Lu shares the lessons learned from founding Robolytics and launching open-source robotics initiatives, covering the practical steps to go from zero to a working robot project, what open source means for hardware (not just software), how to attract contributors, and why open-source robotics matters for democratising access to embodied AI. Whether you're a researcher, hobbyist, or startup founder, this talk offers a practical playbook for building in the open.