Reachy Mini Robots Now Available for Order - Hugging Face

Hugging Face Launches Reachy Mini Robotics Platform

Developers can now begin experimentation and testing with Hugging Face’s newest robotics offering. The AI development platform announced on Wednesday the commencement of order acceptance for its Reachy Mini desktop robots.

Prototypes of these robots were initially presented in May, concurrently with the unveiling of a larger humanoid robot, HopeJR.

Reachy Mini Versions and Pricing

Hugging Face intends to release two distinct versions of the Reachy Mini. The Reachy Mini Wireless, priced at $449, offers cordless operation and is powered by a Raspberry 5 mini computer.

A more affordable option, the Reachy Mini Lite, is available for $299 but requires connection to an external computing source.

These open source robots are provided as kits, allowing developers to assemble them independently. The robots are comparable in size to typical plush toys and feature two screens serving as eyes, alongside two antennas.

Programming and Integration

Once assembled, the robots are fully programmable utilizing the Python language.

Pre-installed demonstrations are included, and the devices seamlessly integrate with the Hugging Face Hub. This platform provides access to over 1.7 million AI models and more than 400,000 datasets.

Development Based on User Feedback

According to Clém Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, the decision to offer two versions of the Reachy Mini stemmed from initial feedback received on the original prototype.

A tester reported their 5-year-old daughter’s desire to move the robot freely around the house, prompting the company to anticipate similar needs from other users.

“Our product development at Hugging Face consistently relies on gathering extensive feedback from users and the community,” Delangue stated. “The open source nature of the project empowers individuals to expand, modify, and customize the robots to their preferences.”

Target Audience and Capabilities

The primary target demographic for these devices is AI developers.

The Reachy Minis facilitate coding, construction, and testing of AI applications directly on the desktop robot.

“Users will have the ability to create and share custom features and applications for the Reachy Mini with the broader community,” Delangue explained. “We anticipate this will foster a surge of creativity, resulting in millions of diverse applications and features that can be readily shared and utilized.”

Shipping Timeline and Open Source Philosophy

Shipments of the Reachy Mini Lite are scheduled to begin next month, with the wireless version following later in the year.

Delangue emphasized the importance of swift shipping following order placement, avoiding lengthy pre-order periods, to ensure rapid access for users.

This release aligns with Hugging Face’s overarching vision for its robotics program – open source hardware granting users complete control.

The Importance of Open Robotics

“A future where robotics is open source is crucial, as opposed to being proprietary and controlled by a limited number of companies,” Delangue asserted.

“The prospect of millions of robots in homes, governed by a single entity with limited user understanding or control, is concerning. I advocate for a world where individuals possess greater agency over the robots in their lives.”