OpenCat is an open-source Arduino and Raspberry Pi-based framework for building and programming quadruped robots.
The framework abstracts away the complexity of quadruped robotics by handling gait coordination, servo control, and IMU integration, allowing developers to focus on higher-level functionality. It provides the foundational software layer that powers mini robot kits like the Bittle robot dog and Nybble robot cat, enabling users to build walking and running gaits without implementing low-level motor control from scratch.
The tool suits STEM education, robotics research, and DIY robotics kit development. It is particularly valuable for those exploring gait design, reinforcement learning on physical systems, and sim-to-real robotics work. The README notes that this repository covers the legacy NyBoard platform; developers working with current-generation hardware like Bittle X or Nybble Q should use OpenCatESP32 instead, which represents the active development branch.
Development on this repository appears dormant, with the README explicitly directing users toward OpenCatESP32 for current hardware and ongoing work. The project has transitioned to supporting newer platforms while this codebase remains available as a reference implementation for the earlier NyBoard architecture.
