How much does it cost to make Stack-chan, the cute M5Stack desk robot?

About $99, per the M5Stack store, M5StackChan K151.

Make Stack-chan, the cute M5Stack desk robot: media published by stack-chan/stack-chan — Demo video on YouTube (opens in a new tab)Credit: stack-chan/stack-chan

Make Stack-chan, the cute M5Stack desk robot: media published by stack-chan/stack-chan (image 2)

Make Stack-chan, the cute M5Stack desk robot

Desk, Easy, $99

Stack-chan is an open-source M5Stack desk robot with a face, servos and JavaScript MODs. The preassembled M5StackChan (K151) is $99 on the M5Stack store (Nov 3, 2026). Flash firmware from Chrome, then install a MOD.

Cost $99: M5Stack store, M5StackChan K151.

View build on GitHub ↗Share on X

Buy the M5StackChan AI Desktop Robot kit if you want the shortest path, or build from an M5Stack CoreS3 plus servos using the case guide. The browser tools flash firmware over USB, change preferences over BLE and install MODs from the gallery. No Moddable SDK or ESP-IDF needed for the standard board.

Does it work: the Stack-chan README treats M5StackChan CoreS3 as the standard configuration and the board used for physical-device release validation. Flashing this firmware replaces M5Stack's factory build; their docs cover restore via M5Burner.

Hardware & cost: M5StackChan AI Desktop Robot (K151) at $99 on the M5Stack official store (checked Nov 3, 2026), or an M5Stack CoreS3 plus servos for a DIY build. Joystick remote is optional.

Difficulty: Easy.

Next step: get an M5StackChan, open the web firmware installer in Chrome or Edge, select M5StackChan CoreS3, then try a MOD from the gallery.

Agent install prompt (paste into Claude Code, Cursor or Codex): "Open https://github.com/stack-chan/stack-chan, set up the browser tools from the README, and install a MOD that makes the face react when I tap the screen."

Source: stack-chan/stack-chan on GitHub — https://github.com/stack-chan/stack-chan (facts checked against the project README and M5Stack store, Nov 3, 2026; prices vary by region).

Quick answers

How much does it cost to make Stack-chan, the cute M5Stack desk robot?: About $99, per the M5Stack store, M5StackChan K151.
What do you need to make Stack-chan, the cute M5Stack desk robot?: M5StackChan AI Desktop Robot (K151) at $99 on the M5Stack official store (checked Nov 3, 2026), or an M5Stack CoreS3 plus servos for a DIY build. Joystick remote is optional.
How hard is it to make Stack-chan, the cute M5Stack desk robot?: Easy.

Running StackChan with Hermes Agent

Updated Oct 25, 2026

In October 2026, @alexcovo_eth posted a video of his M5Stack StackChan running Nous Research's hermes-agent, with Gradium's Phonon handling the voice. He says he can run local models so everything is free, or switch to a subscription model, since Hermes lets you pick whichever model you want. He also says he really likes how snappy the voice is.

If it keeps cutting you off mid-sentence, give it a longer silence window. His was set to 0.02 seconds of silence, and he added 0.08 seconds so it would stop answering too quickly. After that change he called it shockingly good for a local setup.

To try it without paying for a model, start with our list of free models that work with Hermes.

I really like how snappy the voice is on my local @M5Stack StackChan Robot is. It's actually running @NousResearch hermes-agent and the voice is being handled by @GradiumAI Phonon.
— Alex C. (@alexcovo_eth) October 24, 2026