Hugging Face is attempting to transform robotics development by formally opening orders for its small AI desktop robot, Reachy Mini. The $4.5 billion company is now entering the hardware market and is well-known for its open-source AI platform.
Reachy Mini Lite ($299) and Reachy Mini Wireless ($449) are the two versions that CEO Clément Delangue announced. Additionally, the robots are small, fully programmable, and have access to Hugging Face’s massive AI model hub. The action represents a step toward fusing software and hardware for the next frontier in artificial intelligence.
Meet the Hugging Face Robot Changing Desktops Everywhere
Hugging Face aims to broaden access to robotics development beyond big labs or businesses. The Reachy Mini robots are self-assembling kits that are tiny and stuffed animal-sized. Through their integration with Hugging Face Hub, users can access 400,000 datasets and more than 1.7 million AI models.
The wireless model requires an external computer. However, the Lite model runs entirely on battery power and includes a Raspberry Pi 5. Therefore, both can be programmed in Python, and support for Scratch and JavaScript will be added soon. Using these tools, developers can produce experiments or apps and distribute them through Hugging Face’s Spaces platform.
What Makes This AI Desktop Robot So Special?
Hugging Face acquired the French startup Pollen Robotics in April, which led to the creation of Reachy Mini. Their first hardware product that integrates natively with their open-source platform is this one. The goal is to provide millions of developers with a personal robot that they can customize as they see fit.
The robot has animated antennas, a speaker, microphones, and a camera. Additionally, it has features for facial recognition, body rotation, and head movement. Compared with conventional robotics kits or $70,000 industrial systems, the do-it-yourself kit makes it more affordable and engaging.
Pre-installed features at launch include dancing demos, smart assistance, and face tracking. Its capabilities can be expanded or customized by developers using Python scripts. Additionally, by making all hardware schematics publicly accessible, Hugging Face hopes to advance a completely open-source ecosystem.
How Hugging Face Plans to Scale Robotics Fast
The long-term goal of Hugging Face is to support 100 prototype launches annually. This experimental approach challenges the slow, annual product cycles of traditional robotics companies. CEO Delangue thinks the AI desktop robot can be a vital tool for the expanding number of AI developers.
Additionally, as the industry transitions from digital-only AI to embodied intelligence, hardware will be crucial. Hugging Face is in a strong financial position. Therefore, with substantial funding and profitability, it can investigate business models such as hardware-bundled subscriptions.
Can Hugging Face Democratize Physical AI?
Hugging Face aims to spearhead a consumer robotics movement by embracing open source. Those with more experience can build Reachy Mini using publicly available schematics, while others can buy plug-and-play units. This hybrid model maintains the business while fostering community growth. Furthermore, Hugging Face now creates the tools that make AI a reality rather than merely serving as a repository for models.
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