TurtleBot 4 Lite (parts build) parts list
ROS 2 teaching robot: an iRobot Create 3 base carrying a Raspberry Pi 4, a 2D lidar and an OAK-D-Lite depth camera.
Mobile robotsbeginner by Clearpath Robotics and Open Robotics
Exploded view
Tap any part to see where to buy it. Diagram is schematic, not to scale.
Every part you need
| Part | Qty | Spec | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| iRobot Create 3 educational robot mobile base | 1 | Differential drive base with battery, bumpers, cliff sensors, IMU and charging dock; runs ROS 2 The whole drive train, battery and safety sensors in one unit. | iRobot Education: $449.99 (unverified) School Specialty: $449.99 (unverified) |
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 4GB computer | 1 | The official spec for both TurtleBot 4 models; sits in the Create 3 cargo bay on the Lite Runs the TurtleBot 4 ROS 2 software, lidar and camera drivers. | Adafruit: $120.00 |
| Slamtec RPLIDAR A1M8 lidar | 1 | 360 degree 2D lidar, 12 m range; CPR part 025962 Mapping and navigation (SLAM, Nav2). | RobotShop: $92.82 |
| Luxonis OAK-D-Lite camera | 1 | Stereo depth plus 4K RGB with on-board AI; CPR part 025963; auto-focus is what the Lite ships with Depth and on-device neural networks. | Luxonis: $269.00 Switch Science: JPY 30,910.00 (unverified) single; auto-focus; incl. tax |
| Camera bracket, aluminum (CPR 025426) bracket | 1 | Bent sheet metal; DXF flat pattern and STEP in the hardware repo Holds the OAK-D-Lite on the front of the base. | no verified seller yet |
| Standoff, hex, M2.5 x 5 male-female, aluminum (CPR 025552) hardware | 4 | 4.5 mm hex Mounts the Raspberry Pi. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) pack; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
| USB 3.0 cable, USB-C 90 degree male to USB-A male, 300 mm (CPR 025941) cable | 1 | Right-angle USB-C end Connects the OAK-D-Lite to the Pi. | no verified seller yet |
| USB 3.0 cable, USB-C male to USB-C 90 degree male, 300 mm (CPR 025942) cable | 1 | Right-angle USB-C end Powers the Pi from the Create 3 adapter board in the cargo bay. | no verified seller yet |
| USB 2.0 cable, Micro-B male to USB-A male, 300 mm (CPR 025944) cable | 1 | Short Micro-B cable Connects the lidar's USB adapter to the Pi. | no verified seller yet |
| Hex nut M4 x 0.7, 18-8 stainless (CPR 10898) fastener | 3 | Assembly. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) pack; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
| Round head cap screw M4 x 0.7 x 10, black oxide stainless (CPR 25609) fastener | 5 | Lite list says 5 (the standard TurtleBot 4 uses 10) Assembly. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) pack; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
| Flat washer 4.3 x 9 x 0.9 mm, black stainless (CPR 25610) fastener | 5 | Assembly. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) pack; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
| Round head cap screw M2.5 x 0.45 x 4, black oxide stainless (CPR 25616) fastener | 4 | Pi and bracket mounting. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) pack; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
| Hex nut M2.5 x 0.45, zinc plated steel (CPR 25740) fastener | 4 | Assembly. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) pack; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
| Split lock washer M4, DIN 7980 (CPR 26387) fastener | 2 | Assembly. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) pack; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
| Round head cap screw M2.5 x 0.45 x 6, 316 stainless (CPR 26634) fastener | 4 | Assembly. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) pack; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
| 3M VHB 4959 double-sided tape, 1/2 in wide (CPR 26649) adhesive | 1 | 20 mm length needed Sticks small parts (such as the lidar adapter) in place. | McMaster-Carr: check price (unverified) roll; McMaster equivalent from the official list |
Quantities follow the official TurtleBot 4 Lite (parts build) docs: https://turtlebot.github.io/turtlebot4-user-manual/overview/features.html. "Unverified" prices come from search listings or older BOMs that we could not confirm on the seller's product page.
Kits (fewer orders, check what they leave out)
| Kit | Price | Includes | Leaves out | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearpath Robotics TurtleBot 4 Lite (assembled) RobotShop | $1,754.00 | Create 3 with dock, Raspberry Pi 4 with ROS 2 set up, RPLIDAR, OAK-D-Lite, docs and courseware | Out of stock on 2026-10-25; Bluetooth controller not included with the Lite | RobotShop: $1,754.00 |
| Clearpath Robotics TurtleBot 4 (standard, assembled) RobotShop | check price | Adds the UI board with display and buttons, sensor tower, OAK-D-Pro and a controller | Price not verified | RobotShop: check price |
3D printed parts
Not needed. No printed parts on the Lite. The camera bracket is sheet aluminum (DXF in the repo, any online laser-cut and bend service can make it). An optional printable top plate adapter for the Lite is in the repo's Addons folder. Files: https://github.com/turtlebot/turtlebot4-hardware
Mistakes builders make
- Only the Lite can be built from off-the-shelf parts; the standard model's UI board (CPR 025618) and shell are Clearpath parts.
- The Pi is powered over USB-C from the Create 3 adapter board in the cargo bay. If it seems dead, check that cable first (turtlebot4 issue 198).
- When the Create 3 shuts down it cuts power to the Pi without warning, so shut the Pi down first. One builder also saw only about an hour of runtime off the dock with lidar and camera running.
- Create 3 prices vary by seller ($299 at launch, about $450 now) and lead times run several weeks; check stock before buying the rest.
- The official setup images target the Pi 4. A community Pi 5 port (turtlebot4_rpi5) reports much better navigation, but it is a fork, not upstream. On ROS 2 Jazzy the Create 3 also needs I-series firmware.
- The Lite fastener list differs from the standard one (5 M4x10 screws instead of 10, no M3.5 flat head screws).
FAQ
How much does it cost to build the TurtleBot 4 Lite (parts build)?
About $1,000 to $1,150 in parts at current prices, TurtleBot 4 Lite configuration from the official component and fastener lists: Create 3 about $450, OAK-D-Lite $269, Pi 4 4GB $120, RPLIDAR A1M8 about $93 to $103, plus cables, fasteners and a cut aluminum camera bracket. Excludes a microSD card and shipping. The assembled Lite was $1,754 at RobotShop (out of stock). The standard TurtleBot 4 needs Clearpath's custom UI board and shell, so it is not buildable from parts..
Do I need a 3D printer for the TurtleBot 4 Lite (parts build)?
No printed parts are needed for the standard build.
Is there a kit for the TurtleBot 4 Lite (parts build)?
Yes: RobotShop, RobotShop. Check what each kit leaves out before ordering.
Buying guides for this build
- Best beginner mobile robot kit
- Best camera for robot learning
- Raspberry Pi 5 vs Jetson Orin Nano for robots
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Last checked 2026-10-25. Sources: github.com · github.com · turtlebot.github.io · github.com · community.robotshop.com · www.robotshop.com · www.robotshop.com · shop.luxonis.com · shop.edu.irobot.com · www.adafruit.com · docs.ros.org · discourse.openrobotics.org