Hugging Face, an artificial intelligence and machine learning company, is entering the robotics space with two open-source humanoidrobots, HopeJr and Reachy Mini. These robots make robotics accessible to hobbyists and developers by offering reasonable and economical solutions.
HopeJr and Reachy Mini
The creators designedHopeJr, a humanoid robot, to perform a range of tasks. With 66 degrees of freedom, HopeJr is able to walk and grip, a function that utilizes this to bring it closer to practical uses in the real world.
Co-designed by The Robot Studio, a French robotics company, the robot is revolutionary in that it is open-sourced, allowing users to construct, customize, and learn from its design. HopeJr offers a significantly lower-priced option at approximately $3,000 compared to other robots on the market.
Reachy Miniis the second robot, a desktop-sized model designed for testing AI applications. The small robot tilts its head, speaks and listens, and is a low-cost option at $250-$300. Its AI experimentation-oriented design makes it ideal for developers and researchers who want to test human-robot interactions.
Meet HopeJr, a full humanoid robot lowering the barrier to entry!Capable of walking, manipulating many objects, open-source and costs under $3000 🤯Designed by@therobotstudioand@huggingface👇pic.twitter.com/wCwo8YPOGV
Hugging Face’s emphasis on cost-effectiveness and openness in robotics is a major competitive strength. “The important aspect is that these robots are open source, so anyone can assemble, rebuild, and understand how they work. This ensures that robotics remains accessible and isn’t monopolized by a few major players,” said Clem Delangue, Hugging Face’s CEO.
Hugging Face has also been developing its LeRobot platform, offering open AI models and datasets specifically for robotics. It has just upped its programmable robotic arm, the SO-101, in partnership with The Robot Studio.
While final shipping dates remain undecided, Hugging Face is preparing to deliver these humanoid robots as early as late 2025. Furthermore, Hugging Face has already opened the waitlist for these revolutionary products, clearly indicating strong demand among robotics and AI communities.
