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UCSC Arm Team

Photo from our intro meeting

We are UCSC Arm Team, a student-led subteam of Slugbotics founded in 2024.

We are building an all-purpose robotic arm that combines computer vision, task planning, and natural language interaction.

Our project already includes a 3D-printed working arm and vision tracking software, so the system can recognize objects and their locations in real time. We are now extending these capabilities with LLM integration, so the arm can follow natural language commands such as “pick up the blue water bottle.” The arm can also stream on Twitch and respond to Twitch chat, letting people interact with it remotely in a fun and accessible way.

Video: Vision system tracking objects in real time.

What We Build

  • 3D-printed robotic arm with modular joints
  • Vision tracking system for real-time object detection and localization
  • LLM integration for natural language control
  • Twitch integration for streaming and interactive chat control

Robots use standard robotic systems:

  • Stepper and servo motors
  • Computer vision pipelines
  • Modular grippers and kinematics

Our robotic arm

The ArmTeam 3D-printed robotic arm in development.

What We Do

  • Design and build robotic arms with CAD and 3D printing
  • Develop software for computer vision and natural language processing
  • Run workshops on VS Code, CAD, and robotic assembly
  • Collaborate with professors to explore lab automation
  • Experiment with real-world applications in farming and lab environments.

CAD design flyer

CAD and design skills are at the core of the project._

VS Code flyer

We use modern software like LLAMA3.2, OpenCV.

Our Arm

Arm gripper assembly

Testing the arm’s modular gripper assembly.

Completed gripper

Close-up of the 3D-printed gripper.

How to Join

  1. Come talk to us on our discord
  2. Attend a meeting to get hands-on with CAD, coding, or hardware assembly
  3. Pick a subteam (vision, control software, or hardware design)
  4. Help us test and expand the robotic arm’s features

We especially welcome chemistry and biomedical students who want to explore practical lab automation with us.

Follow us on Instagram or join our Discord to join our team or talk with us about our project.

👉 Build. Automate. Innovate. Join UCSC Arm Team!