Get a $3K Open-Source Humanoid Robot from Hugging Face

▼ Summary
– Hugging Face, known for AI development, is expanding into robotics with two new robots, including a $3,000 humanoid model.
– The humanoid robot, named HopeJR, features 66 actuated degrees of freedom and can walk and manipulate objects.
– HopeJR has a distinctive design, with eyes reminiscent of Bender from Futurama, as shown in an X video.
– The robot was co-developed with French company The Robot Studio and will be open source for public access and modification.
– Hugging Face aims to make robotics affordable and transparent, preventing dominance by a few large companies with closed systems.
Hugging Face, widely recognized for its contributions to machine learning and AI, is now making waves in robotics with an ambitious new project. The company recently unveiled two innovative robots, including a humanoid model priced at just $3,000—a fraction of the cost of competitors like Unitree’s $16,000 G1.
Named HopeJR, this robot boasts 66 actuated degrees of freedom, enabling it to walk and interact with objects. A brief demonstration video on X (formerly Twitter) showcases its playful, almost cartoonish design, complete with expressive eyes reminiscent of Futurama’s Bender.
Developed in collaboration with French robotics firm The Robot Studio, HopeJR will be fully open source. Hugging Face CEO Clem Delangue emphasized the importance of accessibility, stating that open-source robotics prevents domination by a handful of corporations with opaque, proprietary systems. This approach allows enthusiasts, researchers, and developers to build, modify, and understand the technology without prohibitive costs or restrictions.
With its affordable price tag and open architecture, HopeJR could democratize robotics, making advanced humanoid platforms accessible to a much broader audience. Whether for education, research, or experimentation, this project signals a significant shift toward transparent and inclusive robotics development.
(Source: Ars Technica)