Technology expert Kurt ‘CyberGuy’ Knutsson highlights the recent announcement by Hugging Face, a leading AI development company, of two new open-source humanoid robots: HopeJR and Reachy Mini. These robots are designed to bring advanced robotics into the homes of individuals, enabling them to explore AI through hands-on experimentation.
Hugging Face’s latest addition to the robotics landscape includes HopeJR, a full-size humanoid robot with 66 actuated degrees of freedom. This level of mobility allows the robot to perform a range of tasks, from walking to executing complex gestures, making it a versatile platform for both research and practical applications. HopeJR’s price point of approximately $3,000 is a significant departure from the typical costs of full-scale humanoid robots, making it more accessible to smaller labs, educational institutions, and individual enthusiasts.
For those looking for a more compact option, the Reachy Mini is the perfect choice. Standing at around 11 inches tall, this desktop robot features a camera, microphone, speaker, and a six-degree-of-freedom neck, enabling expressive movement and interaction with AI applications. Its expected price range of $250 to $300 further democratizes access to robotics, allowing broader participation in AI development and education.
One of the key aspects of this launch is the open-source nature of both robots. Hugging Face emphasizes that this approach enables users to assemble, rebuild, and understand the inner workings of these robots. The community-driven model encourages collaboration and innovation, fostering an environment where users can share improvements and build on each other’s work. This openness is seen as a way to prevent the monopolization of robotics technology by a few companies with proprietary systems.
Hugging Face’s expansion into robotics is also a continuation of their recent acquisition of Pollen Robotics, which laid the groundwork for developing the original Reachy robot. This partnership has enabled Hugging Face to accelerate hardware development and bring these new robots to market. While exact shipping dates have not been announced, the company anticipates delivering the first units by the end of the year, with a waiting list already open for interested parties.
Experts predict that this move could have a transformative impact on AI research and education, providing individuals with the tools to experiment and innovate without the need for extensive resources. The accessibility of these robots could help drive new developments in machine learning and robotics, making advanced technologies more available to a wider audience.
With the promise of open-source hardware and software, Hugging Face is positioning itself as a leader in democratizing AI and robotics. This initiative underscores the potential of technology to become more inclusive and collaborative, encouraging a new wave of innovators to shape the future of artificial intelligence.