Hugging Face Launches Affordable Open Source Humanoid Robots

Hugging Face is making waves in the robotics world with the launch of two new humanoid robots: HopeJR and Reachy Mini. These open-source robots are designed to lower the barriers to entry in robotics, making advanced humanoid technology accessible and affordable for a wider audience.

Meet HopeJR and Reachy Mini

HopeJR is a full-size humanoid robot boasting 66 actuated degrees of freedom, enabling it to walk and manipulate objects with its arms. It’s priced at approximately $3,000, making it a cost-effective option for research labs, educational institutions, and robotics enthusiasts.

Reachy Mini, on the other hand, is a compact desktop robot capable of moving its head, talking, listening, and serving as a platform to test AI applications. Its price point ranges between $250 and $300, depending on tariffs, making it highly accessible for developers and AI researchers.

Open Source and Democratizing Robotics

What sets these robots apart is their open-source nature. Hugging Face emphasizes transparency and accessibility, allowing anyone to assemble, rebuild, and understand the robots’ inner workings. This approach challenges the dominance of large corporations that often keep robotics technology behind closed doors.

By making robotics affordable and open, Hugging Face is fostering innovation and collaboration across the AI and robotics communities. This could accelerate breakthroughs in humanoid robotics applications, from education and research to practical AI integration.

Strategic Growth Through Acquisition and Partnerships

Hugging Face’s robotics push was bolstered by its acquisition of Pollen Robotics earlier in 2025. This move brought in new expertise and capabilities essential for developing these humanoid robots.

Additionally, Hugging Face has expanded its robotics ecosystem through partnerships, such as with The Robot Studio for the SO-101 robotic arm and AI startup Yaak for self-driving machine training data. These collaborations enhance the company’s ability to provide comprehensive AI and robotics solutions.

What This Means for Developers and Innovators

The release of HopeJR and Reachy Mini opens exciting opportunities for developers, researchers, and businesses to experiment with humanoid robotics without prohibitive costs or closed systems.

Whether you're building AI applications that require physical interaction or exploring new frontiers in robotics, these platforms provide a flexible, transparent foundation to innovate rapidly.

With shipping expected to start by the end of 2025 and a waitlist already open, the robotics community has a promising new avenue to explore humanoid AI integration.