- Hugging Face launches two low-cost humanoid robots: HopeJR and Reachy Mini.
- Both models are open source and allow user modifications.
- HopeJR can walk and manipulate objects, while Reachy Mini focuses on desktop interaction.
- Prices range from $250 to $3.000, with availability expected by the end of 2025.
The Hugging Face company, known for his work in the field of artificial intelligence, has entered the field of robotics with force after announcing the launch of two open-source humanoid robots: HopeJR and Reachy Mini. This initiative is part of a broader movement that seeks democratize access to robotic technology, moving away from its elitist image and bringing it closer to independent developers, educators and creators.
The robots have been developed following Hugging Face's acquisition of French startup Pollen Robotics in April 2025. This transaction has not only provided the team with new technical skills, but has also provided a collaborative and accessible philosophy closely aligned with the open technology community.
HopeJR: Accessible bipedal robotics for the first time
HopeJR, the first model, stands out for being a full-size robot with 66 degrees of freedom, which means it can perform independent movements in different parts of its body, including walking, moving its arms or pointing at objects. It is a fully functional device, capable of physically interact in real environments, while maintaining a price tag of around $3.000. This figure is surprising when compared to other commercial humanoid robots that can cost over $100.000.
HopeJR has been designed to be built with accessible parts, many of them manufacturable by 3D printing. Its modular design allows Any user with basic programming and electronics knowledge can assemble, customize and even improve it.Open hardware seeks to foster new ideas and applications that are currently not being developed due to a lack of access to physical hardware.
Interaction with HopeJR is not limited to traditional programming. It has been shown to be able to Replicate the movements of a human by equipping control gloves with sensors, which opens up possibilities in sectors such as rehabilitation, education or even remote exploration.
Reachy Mini: Conversational interaction on your desktop
Complementing the larger model, Hugging Face has conceived Reachy Mini as a compact desktop robot, specifically designed to facilitate the development of conversational applications and intelligent assistants. With an estimated price of between $250 and $300, this robot can turn your head, listen, speak, and visually follow the user.
Reachy Mini inherits some of the mechanical design created by Pollen Robotics, including a retractable neck powered by a patented system of custom actuators, allowing it to move natural and expressive. On lightweight structure and small size making it suitable for educational settings, research laboratories, or even as a home testing assistant.
Hugging Face has also shared the robot's plans under an open source license, allowing Anyone interested can build their own unit, modify it or adapt it to specific needs.
A new stage after the acquisition of Pollen Robotics
The acquisition of Pollen Robotics marked a turning point in Hugging Face's strategy. With it, the company added a team of around 30 robotics specialists and a vision aligned with the values of the maker community: openness, ethics, and customization. Pollen founders Matthieu Lapeyre and Pierre Rouanet joined the management team, contributing to the development of a tiered ecosystem, from entry-level models to advanced solutions.
In addition, Hugging Face has reinforced its commitment to robotics by launching Figure BotQ, a platform that centralizes AI models, datasets, and tools for building robotic systems. This environment allows developers to work with simulations before moving to physical hardware, streamlining the creation process.
The cultural impact of robotic opening
One of the most outstanding features of this proposal is its strong ideological and cultural burdenThomas Wolf, co-founder of Hugging Face, has stressed that robots should not be confined to corporate environments or dependent on opaque systems. The idea is that Artificial intelligence comes to life and is moldable by everyone, not only by those with million-dollar budgets.
In contrast to closed platforms such as Tesla or Boston Dynamics, Hugging Face is committed to an inclusive model, in which students, artists, small laboratories and hobbyists can study, replicate, and extend the capabilities of their robots. This opening is not symbolic: the mechanical drawings, electronic schematics, and control software are publicly available.
With this strategy, Hugging Face does not seek to directly compete with the robotics giants, but rather to open a new front of decentralized technological developmentA space where collective knowledge is generated, improvements are shared, and creativity is fostered without the limitations imposed by proprietary hardware.
By introducing HopeJR and Reachy Mini, a new paradigm is established in which robotics resembles the model of personal computers or 3D printers: devices that, thanks to their low cost and open nature, transformed the way people learn, create, and interact with technologyBy turning artificial intelligence into a physical entity that can be modified, repaired, and extended, Hugging Face powers a future where robotics is accessible and part of everyday life.
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