Hugging Face has launched Reachy Mini, a compact, open-source robot priced at $299, making advanced robotics accessible for developers, educators, and hobbyists. Standing at just 11 inches tall, it offers two versions: a lite model needing an external computer, and a wireless, autonomous one featuring Raspberry Pi 5 with Wi-Fi. Fully programmable in Python, Reachy Mini supports future JavaScript and Scratch capabilities. Equipped with a motorized head, animated antennas, and a wide-angle camera, it enables interactive experiences with 15 pre-installed behaviors, including face tracking and dancing.
Following its acquisition of Pollen Robotics, Hugging Face emphasizes an open-source approach, providing all hardware designs and software for community collaboration. While facing challenges in manufacturing and logistics, the company ships partially assembled kits to gather user feedback. This innovative shift promotes affordability, community engagement, and democratization in the evolving robotics market. Reachy Mini could redefine accessibility in robotics, setting a new standard for transparency.
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