3 Minutes
Introducing Reachy Mini: A Revolutionary Desktop Robot for All Ages
Reachy Mini is making waves in the world of educational robotics, offering a unique blend of hands-on fun and cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Developed by Hugging Face in partnership with recently acquired Pollen Robotics, this open-source desktop robot is designed to empower developers, educators, students, and technology enthusiasts eager to explore creative coding and artificial intelligence in an accessible way.
Two Distinct Versions: Reachy Mini Lite and Reachy Mini Wireless
The Reachy Mini lineup consists of two versions to cater to different needs and budgets. The entry-level Reachy Mini Lite is available for $299 and connects seamlessly to Mac or Linux computers (with Windows support coming soon). Shipping is slated to begin later this summer. For those seeking greater flexibility, the Reachy Mini Wireless retails for $449 and features an integrated Raspberry Pi 5, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, and a battery, enabling fully wireless operation. This model will ship in batches from late 2025 through 2026.
Impressive Early Interest and Market Reception
In just its first 24 hours on the market, Reachy Mini notched an extraordinary $500,000 in sales—clear evidence of the strong demand in the educational robotics and maker communities. Its compact form factor—standing about 11 inches (28 cm) tall, 6.3 inches (16 cm) wide, and weighing only 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg)—makes it an ideal fit for desktops or classroom environments.
Powerful Features and Ready-to-Use AI Capabilities
Reachy Mini stands out with 15 pre-installed demonstrations, eliminating barriers for beginners and saving setup time for advanced users. Right out of the box, users can experiment with facial recognition, hand tracking, antenna movements, voice-activated AI conversations, and object manipulation using the built-in arm and gripper. No complex programming is required to get started, which makes the robot appealing for educational settings, STEM curriculums, makerspaces, and tech enthusiasts of all backgrounds.
Seamless Integration with Hugging Face Hub
What really distinguishes Reachy Mini is its deep integration with the Hugging Face Hub. This connection unlocks access to a vast library of AI models and datasets, allowing users to further customize and expand the robot’s capabilities. Whether it’s training new AI behaviors or tapping into the latest community-shared models, Reachy Mini thrives on collaborative innovation.
Community-Driven Open Source for Unmatched Expandability
Unlike earlier social robots such as Jibo and Anki’s Cozmo and Vector—many of which struggled with limited capabilities or lack of support—the Reachy Mini leverages a powerful, global developer ecosystem. Thanks to its open-source design, anyone in the community can contribute new features or functionalities, ensuring the robot stays current and continuously improves over time. This collaborative spirit not only sets Reachy Mini apart but also greatly enhances its long-term appeal and utility.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Roboticists and AI Enthusiasts
With its friendly, approachable design and robust technical features, Reachy Mini is perfectly positioned to demystify robotics and AI for learners of all ages. Its combination of playfulness and potential isn’t just endearing—it’s educational, empowering children and adults to turn play into tangible innovation. As accessible robotics gain importance in digital literacy, Reachy Mini is poised to become a go-to choice for classrooms, hobbyists, and innovators worldwide.
In summary, Reachy Mini represents a significant leap forward in affordable, open-source robotics, blending community-driven development with leading AI integration. For anyone fascinated by the intersection of coding, artificial intelligence, and robotics, Reachy Mini offers a truly engaging way to learn, experiment, and create.
Source: digitaltrends
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