Hugging Face has launched Reachy Mini, a set of open-source, programmable desktop robots designed for AI developers, available in two versions: Wireless ($449) and Lite ($299).

The robots feature expressive screen 'eyes,' motorized movement, a wide-angle camera, microphones, speakers, and full body rotation, supporting rich human-robot interactions.

The Wireless version, powered by Raspberry Pi 5, is designed for independent operation and is set to ship starting late summer 2025, with the Lite version shipping next month.

Both models are roughly 11 inches tall, weigh about 3.3 pounds, and are built with modular design for hands-on learning and collaborative development.

The robots are fully programmable in Python, with future plans to support JavaScript and Scratch, making them accessible to a broad range of users including educators and hobbyists.

Hugging Face emphasizes community engagement, allowing users to upload, share, and download robot behaviors via their platform and Discord community.

This initiative aims to democratize robotics and AI, promoting open-source hardware, software, and simulation environments, with designs freely available to prevent control concentration.

The launch follows Hugging Face’s strategic acquisition of Pollen Robotics, signaling a move to integrate AI software with physical robotics systems.

The development of two versions was driven by user feedback, especially a child's desire for portability, leading to the creation of both wireless and tethered options.

The company collaborates with partners like NVIDIA to develop virtual training environments and efficient AI models, accelerating deployment.

The robots include pre-installed demos and integrate with Hugging Face Hub, providing access to over 1.7 million AI models and 400,000 datasets.

Industry experts have praised the affordability and potential of Reachy Mini to disrupt traditional robotics markets, despite ongoing ethical and privacy considerations.