Hugging Face, a company known for artificial intelligence tools, has announced two new humanoid robots that are much cheaper than existing options. The robots are designed to be open-source, meaning anyone can modify their programming and learn how they work.

Two New Robot Models

The company is releasing two different robots to serve different needs:

HopeJR - The Full-Size Robot

• A complete humanoid robot standing at human height
• Has 66 moving parts that can be controlled independently
• Costs less than $3,000
• Designed for serious robotics research and development

Reachy Mini - The Desktop Assistant

• A smaller robot designed to sit on a desk
• Can move its head, speak, and listen to commands
• Expected to cost between $250-300
• Perfect for testing AI applications and learning

Making Robots Accessible

What makes these robots special is their low cost compared to other humanoid robots, which often cost tens of thousands of dollars. The affordable pricing means more students, researchers, and small companies can work with advanced robotics technology.

"The main advantage is the open-source code," explained a company representative. This means users can change how the robots work and share improvements with others, creating a community of robot developers.

When You Can Get Them

Hugging Face has started a waiting list for people interested in buying the robots. The company plans to begin deliveries toward the end of 2025.

Both robots will come with access to Hugging Face's AI tools, allowing users to teach them new skills and behaviors.

How This Happened

Hugging Face was able to enter the robotics market after buying Pollen Robotics, a startup focused on humanoid robots, in April 2025. This acquisition gave them the expertise needed to build physical robots.

The company isn't new to robotics software. In 2024, they launched LeRobot, a collection of AI models and tools specifically for building robots. They also worked with France's The Robot Studio to create the SO-101, a robotic arm that people can build using a 3D printer.

Growing Robotics Platform

Hugging Face has been expanding their robotics offerings throughout 2025. They've added new training data for robots, including information to help build self-driving cars in partnership with a company called Yaak.

What This Means

The launch of these affordable, open-source robots could significantly change who can work with advanced robotics. Previously, only well-funded research labs and large companies could afford to experiment with humanoid robots.

Now, students learning programming, small startups, and hobbyist inventors can access the same technology that was once limited to major corporations.

The robots represent Hugging Face's strategy to make AI and robotics technology more democratic and accessible to everyone, not just big tech companies.