Hugging Face has officially launched the open-source humanoid robot, Reachy2, through the acquisition of French startup Pollen Robotics. This news has sparked significant discussion on social media and within the AI community, marking a crucial milestone in the convergence of humanoid robotics and generative AI. Designed as a "lab partner" for AI research and education, Reachy2's open-source nature, advanced capabilities, and user-friendly design have quickly attracted the attention of top labs worldwide.

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Reachy2: A Benchmark in Humanoid Robotics Innovation

Developed by Pollen Robotics, Reachy2 is a high-end humanoid robot priced at $70,000 and already deployed in top-tier labs like Cornell University and Carnegie Mellon University. Its unique design, featuring asymmetrical eyes and a custom-designed striped shirt from French brand Armor Lux, gives it a friendly appearance and facilitates natural interaction. Equipped with advanced sensors including stereo vision, microphones, speakers, and lidar, Reachy2 supports VR remote operation, allowing users to control it from a virtual reality perspective.

Its innovative Orbita joint system provides smooth multi-directional movement in the neck and wrists, making Reachy2's movements highly expressive. Based on the ROS2 Foxy operating system and Pollen Robotics' Python SDK, Reachy2 allows developers flexible programming and customization, fully unleashing the potential of the open-source ecosystem. Developers on social media have praised Reachy2's open-source nature, believing it will drive the mainstream adoption of robotics technology. Hugging Face's Strategic Positioning

Hugging Face, known for its open-source AI models, has made its first foray into the hardware sector with this acquisition of Pollen Robotics. The launch of Reachy2 represents not only a technological breakthrough but also embodies Hugging Face's commitment to "democratizing AI robotics." By open-sourcing all manufacturing details and code for Reachy2, Hugging Face encourages global developer community participation in improvements and lowers the barrier to entry for robotics development.

Analysts suggest that the target users for Reachy2 are primarily AI and robotics research labs, including top institutions like DeepMind. Despite its high price, its openness and VR compatibility make it an ideal platform for exploring embodied AI. Hugging Face also revealed that Reachy2 might be its most expensive robot sale to date, hinting at future explorations into diverse robotics applications. AIbase Observation: The Future of Open Source and Humanoid Robots

From AIbase's perspective, the release of Reachy2 is not just a technological breakthrough but also reflects the rapid development of the humanoid robot field. Market forecasts predict that the humanoid robot market could reach $1.7 trillion by 2050, comparable to the current global automotive market. Reachy2's open-source model provides developers with low-cost innovation opportunities, potentially accelerating the application of humanoid robots in research, education, and even home environments.

Furthermore, Hugging Face's acquisition and the launch of Reachy2 highlight the trend of software and hardware integration. Combining its expertise in small language models (SLMs) and generative AI, Hugging Face is poised to build a unified AI ecosystem through Reachy2, laying the foundation for breakthroughs in embodied intelligence. Outlook: Reachy2's Potential and Challenges