Hugging Face and Pollen Robotics Launch Reachy Mini, an Open-Source AI Robot

• Reachy Mini is a compact, programmable robot designed for AI experimentation, available as a kit starting at $299.
• Made for experimentation and creative coding, Reachy Mini uses sensors and AI to run behaviors you can build and share on the Hugging Face hub.

Hugging Face and Pollen Robotics have launched Reachy Mini, a desktop-sized robot built for developers, educators, and creative coders. Priced at $299 for the lite version and $449 for the wireless model, it stands 28cm tall, weighs 1.5 kg, and is sold as a self-assembly kit. Designed for experimentation and human-robot interaction, Reachy Mini is programmable in Python and connects directly to Hugging Face’s open-source hub.

The robot features a motorized head, animated antennas, and a full suite of sensors, including a camera, microphones, and a speaker, for expressive, multimodal interaction. Users can create behaviors that combine movement, sound, and vision, then upload them to the hub or download routines shared by others. A library of 15+ behaviors is available at launch, and a simulation tool allows for testing projects before the hardware arrives.

Modular by design, Reachy Mini runs open-source models for speech, vision, and personality via Hugging Face integration. It supports real-world and virtual development, with JavaScript and Scratch options coming soon. Shipments start in late summer 2025, with broader availability continuing into 2026.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

Making robotics accessible at this scale is a big deal, especially for younger builders. Tools like this give the next generation a way to learn by building. As AI and physical AI become commonplace, learning how models interact with the real world will be a foundational skill.

Source: Hugging Face