Robots for Everyone? Hugging Face Unveils Groundbreaking, Affordable Open-Source Humanoids!
Get ready for a robotics revolution, brought to you by the innovators at Hugging Face! The AI development platform famed for democratizing artificial intelligence is now set to do the same for robotics, announcing on Thursday the exciting release of two new open-source humanoid robots: HopeJR and Reachy Mini. This move signals a major step towards making advanced robotics accessible to all.
Meet the new recruits! HopeJR is a full-sized humanoid marvel, boasting an impressive 66 actuated degrees of freedom – meaning it has 66 independent ways to move, including walking and articulating its arms. Imagine the possibilities for research, education, and even personal assistance! Alongside HopeJR is the charming Reachy Mini, a compact desktop unit designed to move its head, talk, listen, and serve as an ideal platform for testing cutting-edge AI applications in a tangible way.
While an exact shipping date is still under wraps, Hugging Face co-founder and CEO, Clem Delangue, shared with TechCrunch that the first units are expected to ship by the end of the year. Eager developers and enthusiasts can already join the waitlist!
Perhaps the most exciting news is the price point. Hugging Face estimates the sophisticated HopeJR will cost around an astonishingly accessible $3,000 per unit, while the versatile Reachy Mini is projected to be between $250 and $300, depending on tariffs.
“The important aspect is that these robots are open source, so anyone can assemble, rebuild, [and] understand how they work,” Delangue emphasized. He added that their affordability is key “so that robotics doesn’t get dominated by just a few big players with dangerous black-box systems.” This commitment to transparency and accessibility is a breath of fresh air in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
This significant leap forward was partly fueled by Hugging Face’s strategic acquisition of humanoid robotics startup Pollen Robotics, announced back in April. Delangue noted that the talented Pollen team brought “new capabilities” essential for bringing these innovative bots to life.
Hugging Face has been steadily building its robotics prowess. In 2024, they launched LeRobot, a comprehensive suite of open AI models, datasets, and tools designed to empower the creation of sophisticated robotics systems. Earlier in 2025, the company also released an updated version of its 3D-printed, programmable robotic arm, the SO-101 (a collaboration with French robotics firm The Robot Studio), and expanded LeRobot’s training data for self-driving machines through a partnership with AI startup Yaak.
With HopeJR and Reachy Mini, Hugging Face isn’t just releasing new hardware; they’re championing a future where robotics is open, understandable, and within reach for innovators everywhere. This is truly good news for the future of AI and robotics!
