Hugging Face Sells $1M of Desk Robots, Bringing Open-Source AI Into Homes
Hugging Face's Robot Ambitions: Open-Source AI Comes Alive on Your Desk
Hugging Face, the renowned open-source AI platform, is making waves in robotics. Just five days after launching its Reachy Mini robots, the company has already logged $1 million in sales. This marks a significant step for Hugging Face, which is well known for providing open-source AI models to developers but is now expanding into the world of physical devices.
What Makes Reachy Mini Special?
Unlike other home robotics startups focused on automating chores, Hugging Face’s Reachy Mini targets a different audience. The device is designed as a hackable, desk-friendly robot that encourages creativity and entertainment. Features include:
- Compact size, perfect for desktops
- Distinctive eyes with cameras
- Microphones, speakers, and moving head
- Antennas for 'robot ears'
- Pre-installed apps and support for custom open-source applications
Co-founder and chief scientist Thomas Wolf compares the Reachy Mini to “an empty iPhone,” highlighting its potential as a platform for a wide range of user-created apps. The goal is to foster a vibrant ecosystem, making robotics accessible for kids, hobbyists, and developers interested in open-source AI.
Why Consumers Are Excited
The Reachy Mini’s friendly design and affordable price have helped it go viral, attracting attention from tech enthusiasts and families alike. According to Wolf, building a robot that people want to keep on their desks—and can actually afford—is central to Hugging Face’s approach. The company sees this as an entry point for consumers to get comfortable with robots and open-source AI in their everyday lives.
From Software to Hardware: Hugging Face’s Vision
On a recent episode of the Equity podcast, Wolf discussed Hugging Face’s acquisition of French robotics startup Pollen and the company’s push to bring down robot costs. Wolf believes open-source AI will be as transformative in robotics as it has been in software and is positioning Hugging Face to lead this emerging market.
What’s Next for Hugging Face Robotics?
- Expanding the App Ecosystem: Encouraging developers to build and share new apps for Reachy Mini
- Future Devices: Exploring the possibility of full-sized humanoid robots
- Privacy and Open Source: Leveraging open-source approaches to address privacy concerns in consumer robotics
Wolf is particularly interested in seeing how the community builds and codes new apps for the robots, opening the door for creative and educational use cases. The company’s vision is to make robots both approachable and beneficial for a wide audience.
Listen and Learn More
To dive deeper into Hugging Face’s robotics journey and hear Thomas Wolf’s insights, check out the full podcast episode:
