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An asset is the reusable definition of a piece of hardware: its 3D meshes and its kinematic model (URDF) that Cyberwave uses to spawn digital twins. Catalog devices like the-robot-studio/so101 are assets that already exist. When your hardware isn’t in the catalog, you create your own asset by uploading a URDF package. This page walks through creating an asset from the dashboard. You can also upload programmatically, using the REST API or Python SDK methods described on the Catalog page.

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Prepare your URDF package

Cyberwave accepts a single ZIP archive containing one main .urdf (or .xacro) file and every file it references, including meshes, textures, and materials. 
my-robot/
  urdf/
    robot.urdf
  meshes/
    base_link.stl
    arm_visual.obj
  textures/
    arm_albedo.png
Use relative paths inside the URDF that match your ZIP structure. If the URDF references meshes/arm_visual.obj, that file must exist at that path inside the ZIP. Cyberwave processes (unpacks and validates) the archive after you create the asset.

Sample URDF: dji-mini-4-pro.zip

A complete single-file example (a DJI Mini 4 Pro drone): one base_link, four propeller links, and four continuous joints. Use it as a reference for link, joint, material, and mesh-reference structure, then bundle your own URDF with its meshes/ folder into a ZIP.

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Create the asset

Open the Upload URDF package wizard from the dashboard, then complete its three steps.
1

Package: upload your ZIP

On the Package step, drag and drop your ZIP into the URDF Package (ZIP) drop zone, or click to select it. The archive should contain your URDF/Xacro plus all referenced meshes. Click Continue.Upload URDF package step
2

Details: describe your asset

On the Details step, give the asset a clear name (for example, SO-101 workcell) and a short description of what the robot or prop is.Describe your asset stepExpand Advanced for two optional fields:
  • Main URDF path: the path to the main URDF inside the ZIP (for example, urdf/robot.urdf). Leave it blank to auto-detect the URDF inside the archive, and set it only when the ZIP contains more than one URDF.
  • Thumbnail: an optional preview image (PNG or JPG) for the asset card. Advanced asset details
Click Continue.
3

Access: choose visibility and workspace

On the Access step, choose who can see and use the asset, then pick the workspace it belongs to.
VisibilityWho can view
PrivateOnly you
OrganizationAll members of your organization
PublicAnyone on the platform
Choose asset access stepClick Create Asset. Cyberwave processes the archive, and once it’s ready the asset is available to spawn twins from, in the dashboard, the Python SDK, or the REST API.
Start Private while you iterate on the URDF and driver, then switch the asset to Organization or Public when it’s ready to share. Visibility can be changed after creation.

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Next steps

Write a driver

Connect your hardware’s native API to the new asset’s twin so it streams and takes commands in real time.

Custom Integrations

The full overview for bringing your own hardware online with Cyberwave.