Hugging Face’s Reachy Mini Robots Now Available for Order
▼ Summary
– Hugging Face is now accepting orders for its Reachy Mini desktop robots, which come in two versions: a wireless model ($449) and a cheaper wired version ($299).
– The Reachy Mini robots are open-source kits for developers, featuring a small size, two screens for eyes, and programmable functionality in Python.
– The robots integrate with Hugging Face Hub, providing access to over 1.7 million AI models and 400,000 datasets, along with pre-installed demos.
– The company aims to gather user feedback to improve the product, emphasizing open-source flexibility for customization and community sharing.
– Hugging Face’s CEO advocates for open-source robotics to ensure user control and avoid centralized corporate dominance in the robotics industry.
Hugging Face has officially opened orders for its Reachy Mini desktop robots, marking a significant step forward for developers interested in accessible, open-source robotics. The AI platform unveiled two versions of the compact robot, a wireless model and a more affordable wired alternative, both designed to encourage experimentation and customization within the developer community.
The Reachy Mini Wireless retails for $449 and operates on a Raspberry Pi 5, offering full mobility without cables. Meanwhile, the Reachy Mini Lite, priced at $299, requires an external computing source but maintains the same core functionality. Both models arrive as DIY kits, standing roughly the size of a plush toy, complete with expressive digital eyes and antenna-like sensors.
Once assembled, the robots are fully programmable in Python, with pre-loaded demos to jumpstart development. Integration with Hugging Face Hub provides access to over 1.7 million AI models and 400,000 datasets, significantly expanding what users can achieve. According to CEO Clém Delangue, the decision to offer two versions stemmed from early feedback, including a tester’s five-year-old daughter who wanted to carry the robot around the house.
Delangue emphasized Hugging Face’s commitment to open-source innovation, allowing developers to modify and expand the robots as they see fit. “We want builders to unleash their creativity,” he said, envisioning a future where users contribute custom features and apps back to the community. The Reachy Mini Lite begins shipping next month, with the wireless version following later this year, prioritizing quick delivery over prolonged pre-orders.
This launch aligns with Hugging Face’s broader vision for democratizing robotics. Delangue stressed the importance of keeping hardware open-source rather than controlled by a handful of corporations. “A future where millions of robots are locked behind proprietary systems is concerning,” he noted. “We believe users should have full control over the technology in their homes.”
Targeted at AI developers and tinkerers, the Reachy Mini serves as a hands-on platform for coding and testing AI applications. Its modular design and community-driven approach could pave the way for countless unique use cases, reinforcing Hugging Face’s role as a leader in accessible machine learning tools.
(Source: TechCrunch)
