Open Source Actuator Platform by Spike Dynamics
- Spike Dynamics
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Build With Us
Open Source Actuator Platform
Redefining motion through solid-state
engineering.
The way machines move has remained surprisingly stagnant, even as the rest of modern technology has surged ahead. Sensors have become microscopic. Processors have reached extraordinary levels of efficiency. Yet actuation, the physical expression of movement, still often depends on bulky, magnetic, and oil-dependent systems.
We decided to challenge this status quo. We spent years developing a new approach to motion that draws from biology, not tradition. Our actuators use solid-state materials and smart mechanical design to create linear motion without the need for gears, motors, or lubricants. The result is a class of actuators that are compact, quiet, and capable of thriving in extreme environments such as vacuum chambers, surgical tools, or planetary rovers.
After completing several generations of design and testing, we reached a moment of reflection. We had something that worked. Something that solved real problems. But we knew it would only reach its full potential if it could be adopted, adapted, and improved by a broader community. That is why we chose to launch an open-source actuator platform.
A Commitment to Open Source Actuator Platforms
Choosing to release our core actuator designs as open source was a philosophical decision. We believe that foundational technologies should be shared, not locked away. They should serve as building blocks, not black boxes.
Open source allows others to build with confidence. It creates a culture of accountability and accelerates innovation. Most importantly, it transforms a single solution into a flexible platform. What we have developed internally can now be extended externally by researchers, engineers, and developers solving problems we have not yet imagined.
This transition means publishing everything. We are not just releasing basic models or superficial overviews. We are providing CAD files, schematics, and more. Our repositories are structured to be immediately usable by technical teams, whether they are prototyping new tools or integrating actuation into complex systems.
Who Can Benefit
Our open actuator platform is intended for builders of all kinds. If you are developing robotic systems that require compact motion, you will find components ready for integration. If you are working in medical devices or lab automation, the oil-free and magnetic-free design offers unique advantages. If you are designing systems for harsh environments such as aerospace or underwater tools, you will appreciate the resilience and precision these actuators provide.
How to Access the Platform
All of our open actuator designs are published on GitHub under an open hardware license. Each repository includes complete design packages and is updated regularly with improvements and user-contributed enhancements.
You can visit our GitHub organization and start exploring immediately. Whether you are here to learn, to test, or to build, the tools are now in your hands.
What’s Next for the Open Source Actuator Platform
We see open source not as the end of development but as the beginning of deeper collaboration. Our team will continue to publish new actuator variants and mechanical innovations. We will document new use cases and share performance data from applied scenarios. And we will remain engaged with the community that chooses to build with us.
Motion is no longer something you have to buy in a closed box. It is something you can understand, customize, and control. Our hope is that this openness will lead to smarter machines, faster development cycles, and a stronger culture of shared problem-solving.
We welcome you to take part.