97-year-old robot builder's family seeks help fixing ankle

March 28, 2025 — A 97-year-old inventor from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, has hit a roadblock on his most ambitious project yet: a humanoid robot named Toby. Malcolm Stern’s failing eyesight has made it impossible for him to complete the critical ankle assembly, and his family is now publicly asking for a skilled programmer or engineer to step in and help.

Stern, a lifelong tinkerer who restored his father’s classic 1930s Talbot-Darracq car after buying it on an online auction, dove into robotics during the pandemic. His daughter, Samantha McGarry, who lives in the United States, said the robot is about 70 percent finished after eight months of work. The neck, shoulders, arms, and feet can already move, but the ankle joint remains stubbornly stuck.

“It’s a small mechanical and potentially software issue that’s holding him back,” McGarry explained. “He can barely see the screen anymore, and handling tiny servos or wiring is nearly impossible. We know there’s someone out there who can finish what he started.”

Toby is built largely from 3D-printed parts, using a design Stern found online that included files for all components, including 21 servos — electric motors that mimic human muscles. The project represents Stern’s desire to stay mentally active and pass on knowledge. “He hopes the finished robot can serve as an educational tool to introduce children to robotics,” McGarry added.

The family is looking for someone comfortable collaborating with a 97-year-old, using the tools and methods Stern already has in place, rather than imposing a completely new approach. “He has his own workflow and preferred software. We don’t want to overwhelm him with a whole new system,” she said.

According to Dr. Ellen Park, a robotics professor at MIT who reviewed the project description, ankle mobility is one of the trickiest parts of humanoid construction. “The ankle requires precise calibration of multiple servos working in concert for balance and stability. For someone with limited vision, troubleshooting alignment and code is extraordinarily difficult. A fresh set of eyes — both literally and figuratively — often solves it quickly.”

Stern’s ingenuity dates back decades. McGarry recalls growing up with one of the first home computers in the late 1970s and early 80s, which her father programmed with basic coding to create math and spelling games for his children. That spirit of creation never faded, even after the coronavirus outbreak. “Dad is still curious and pioneering,” she said. “We’re so proud of his unwavering desire to build.”

The family has launched a low-key appeal, hoping to connect with someone local in the Hertfordshire area who can visit Stern’s workshop. In the meantime, Stern continues to fiddle with the robot’s other parts, determined not to give up. “I don’t think Toby will ever walk from my dad’s study to the kitchen and fill the dishwasher,” McGarry laughed. “But you never know — Dad dreams big.”

This story echoes a broader trend: elderly makers and hobbyists using 3D printing and open-source robotics to stay engaged. Organizations like the UK’s “Old’s Cool” maker network have noted a rise in senior inventors seeking help with late-stage debugging. “It’s often the final 10 percent that trips people up,” said network founder James Holt. “Malcolm’s situation is a perfect example: the technical foundation is solid, but physical or vision limitations create a bottleneck.”

Anyone interested in helping can reach out via the Beds, Herts and Bucks news team. Stern’s family hopes a volunteer — perhaps a retired engineer or a student robotics club — will step forward to help Toby take its first steps.

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