Student-led · Open source · Low cost

Humanoid robotics,
built to be built.

Jersey Dynamics is an open-source student engineering initiative developing a modular, low-cost humanoid platform for autonomous household tasks. High-school and college contributors work in parallel across hardware, software, research, product, and operations.

Explore JD Hand
ParallelSubsystem development
OpenCAD, code, tests, decisions
MeasuredPerformance, cost, adoption
GlobalHigh school + college contributors
The mission

Build the robot. Build the system that lets people build the robot.

Technical capability is only half the problem. A humanoid platform also has to be affordable, reproducible, understandable, sourceable, and organized well enough for distributed teams to improve it without breaking everything else.

Jersey Dynamics treats engineering and management as one system: mechanisms, controls, and autonomy evolve alongside cost targets, sourcing, product requirements, documentation, contributor operations, and release decisions.

TechnologyEngineer capability.

Mechanisms, actuation, controls, perception, autonomy, electronics, simulation, testing, and integration.

Management + scaleEngineer accessibility.

Requirements, BOM economics, sourcing risk, resource allocation, contributor systems, partnerships, and reproducibility.

Parallel development

One platform. Multiple teams. Shared interfaces.

Launch anchor

JD Hand v0.1 starts with a real prototype, not a promise.

The current underactuated hand is the first public subsystem. Its CAD, electronics, code, BOM, tests, limitations, and open problems become the baseline for contributors to improve.

Open problem AGear jamming + meshing reliability
Open problem BFinger and thumb placement optimization
Open problem CAdvanced control + sensing
Operating targetLower cost without sacrificing reliability
Open leadership

Join as a contributor. Grow into ownership.

Leadership is open, but tied to contribution. Leads own roadmaps, interfaces, review, integration, documentation, and measurable outcomes rather than titles alone.

Current state

Start from what exists. Be explicit about what does not.

Built + testingJD Hand v0.1

Underactuated prototype, electronics, early controls, CAD, and known mechanical reliability questions.

Opening nowSubsystem teams

Arms, torso, mobility, perception, autonomy, electronics, simulation, research, and systems integration.

Operating layerProduct + operations

BOM economics, sourcing, requirements, contributor operations, documentation, release standards, and partnerships.

Roadmap

Parallel streams, synchronized releases.

ManipulationLaunch anchorJD Hand v0.1 → reliability → sensing → grasp library
Arms + torsoForminginterfaces → actuation → packaging → upper-body integration
PerceptionFormingobject detection → depth → scene understanding
AutonomyFormingcontrol → planning → multi-step household tasks
MobilityResearch tracklow-cost concepts → sensing → integrated mobility
OperationsLaunch systemcost targets → sourcing → contributor scale → replication
JD release standard

Open source means reproducible, not merely downloadable.

Official releases should include enough technical and operating context for someone outside the core team to build, test, and improve them.

  1. 01 · CAD + source files
  2. 02 · BOM + sourcing alternatives
  3. 03 · Interface specification
  4. 04 · Assembly + setup guide
  5. 05 · Test protocol + results
  6. 06 · Known limitations
  7. 07 · Cost + performance scorecard
  8. 08 · Independent replication evidence
Join Jersey Dynamics

Pick a problem. Build a piece. Help make the whole thing work.

We are recruiting contributors across mechanical design, electronics, embedded systems, controls, perception, autonomy, simulation, research, product, operations, documentation, and partnerships.

Jersey Dynamics is an unpaid, noncommercial, open-source student initiative. Participation is project-based and does not offer employment, wages, equity, or paid services.

Contributor application

Pick a problem worth owning.

Applications are sent as structured email so the site does not store unnecessary personal data.

Leadership application

Leadership means owning outcomes.

Strong applicants may begin with a scoped ownership trial before taking a formal lead role.

Partnership interest

Bring a team, lab, class, or community into the build.

Please do not include private student information.

Privacy + youth safety

Collect less. Keep project work public-by-default.

Jersey Dynamics is intended for participants age 13 and older. The website does not create user accounts or intentionally store personal information.

Information requested

Applications may ask for a preferred name, email, stage band, broad region, skills, project interests, approximate availability, and optional public work links. Do not send a home address, precise location, date of birth, personal phone number, government ID, immigration information, financial information, or other unnecessary sensitive data.

How it is used

Information is used only to organize open-source participation, route contributors to work, communicate project updates, evaluate leadership interest, and understand broad participation metrics. It is not sold or used for advertising.

Youth-safety communication

Official project work should happen in moderated group channels, GitHub, or documented meetings rather than private one-to-one conversations. Adult participants should use group channels for project communication with minors whenever possible.

Noncommercial status

Jersey Dynamics is an unpaid, noncommercial, open-source student initiative. It does not offer employment, wages, equity, paid consulting, or commercial services.

Contact: hello@jerseydynamics.com · Updated: September 10, 2026