Reachy Mini: the open-source desktop AI robot (Review & Price)

Reachy Mini: the open-source desktop AI robot (Review & Price) Reachy Mini , a creation of Pollen Robotics (supported by Hugging Face), embodies a milestone for robotics in the home. It’s a small desktop robot, easy to obtain and open to all, made to discover the relationship between man and machine, as well as the development of artificial intelligence, all from your desk. The idea behind it is to make humanoid robotics more accessible and fun for everyone. ➥ What is Reachy Mini? Reachy Mini is a small humanoid robot designed to sit easily on a desk. It’s an entirely open source project , from the parts to the software that runs it. This encourages people to make it their own and modify it as they see fit. Reachy Mini technical specifications This little robot stands out in several respects. Measuring around 28 centimetres in height and weighing in at 1.5 kilograms , it’s easy to handle. What’s more, its head moves on six axes, making it expressive. His body rotates completely, and his antennae are animated, to give him even more personality. Two models available For communication, Reachy Mini features a wide-angle camera , microphones and a 5W speaker. There are two models: the “Lite” version plugs into a computer, and the “Wireless” version includes a Raspberry Pi 5, Wi-Fi and a battery to walk alone for longer. (Be sure to choose your version according to your use). ➥ How to animate Reachy Mini? Getting to grips with Reachy Mini is pretty straightforward, especially for those who want to get started with AI robotics. The robot comes in kit form. The idea is to assemble it yourself, which gives you a good understanding of how it works inside. Getting started with programming To program this mini robot, we mainly use Python, a very popular and easy-to-learn code language. In the future, JavaScript and Scratch will also be available, making it even easier for beginners and younger users. The robot connects directly to the Hugging Face Hub . It’s a large repository filled with AI models and datasets. Thanks to this, complex programs can be created for the robot’s voice, vision or even way of being. What’s more, some 15 gestures are ready to go, so you can start using it right away. Community sharing and simulation Even before you’ve got the robot in hand, you can start working with a special simulator. It’s really handy for trying out and improving your projects without needing the real robot. 100% open-source ! What’s more, because Reachy Mini is entirely open source, it encourages people to work together. We invite you to share what you create, and to use programs that other people have made all over the world. (Tip: take advantage of the community!). Reachy Mini in video Reachy Mini: the open-source AI robot ➥ Advantages and limitations An Open Source robot Reachy Mini has a number of advantages, for beginners and robotics specialists alike. Its “open source” nature, for both hardware and software, means there’s plenty of scope for modification and research. In addition, its small size is a real plus, as it fits on any desk and is easy to transport. An attractive price Its affordable price makes it far more accessible than most other AI robots designed for research or education. Intelligent integration with Hugging Face Finally, its seamless integration with the Hugging Face ecosystem greatly simplifies testing with high-performance AI models (its Hugging Face integration is a major strength). To be considered Even so, Reachy Mini has a few limitations. It’s designed as a desktop robot, so it has no legs or wheels. So it stays in a fixed place. Some also wonder whether interest in this device will last long for people who use it only occasionally. ➥ How much does Reachy Mini cost? Reachy Mini is available at a very attractive price. It comes in two models to suit a variety of needs and budgets. Reachy Mini Lite: priced at $299 (excluding taxes and shipping). This model must be connected to a computer. Reachy Mini (Wireless): priced at $449 (excluding taxes and shipping). This version runs independently, with its own Raspberry Pi 5 , wireless connectivity, and built-in battery. Deliveries of the Lite model will begin in late summer 2025. Deliveries of the Wireless version will run from autumn 2025 to 2026. ➥ For whom is Reachy Mini ideal? Screenshot from the official Huggingface.com website This desktop robot has been designed for a wide range of users, from DIY fans to professionals. AI developers and researchers: This is a great tool for prototyping conversational agents and visual interactions, using Hugging Face’s AI models. Educators and students: Its kit-based design and support for beginner-friendly coding languages make it a strong learning tool for robotics and AI. Creators and hobbyists: Perfect for those who enjoy hands-on robotics and want to explore AI behavior in a fun and practical way. Businesses: This robot is ideal for quickly testing complex AI workflows (multimodal pipelines) and building early-stage AI-powered solutions. ➥ Alternatives to Reachy Mini Robot / Kit Price Features Links Educational robotics kits (e.g. certain LEGO Mindstorms) Varies Modular assembly, visual programming LEGO Mindstorms Programmable desktop robots (e.g. Misty II) More expensive Autonomous features, software extensions Misty II Small open-source robots (VEX) Varies Collaborative design, research-oriented VEX V5 ➥ Review of Reachy Mini Preliminary reviews of Reachy Mini are mostly favorable. Particularly appreciated is its ease of access and open approach. The community salutes the initiative to simplify robotics, by making testing with physical AI cheaper and simpler. Some emphasize its potential for creating programs that enable dialogue and are useful for learning. Others wonder about the diversity of possible uses, beyond the first demonstrations. Whatever the case, the general enthusiasm stems from the promise of being able to interact with artificial intelligence in a more concrete way. ➥ FAQ Can Reachy Mini move? + No, Reachy Mini is designed as a desktop robot. It has no legs or wheels. Its only possible movements are the rotation of its head, body, and antennas. Is it difficult to assemble Reachy Mini? + Reachy Mini comes as a kit, so you need to assemble it yourself. The goal is to help you understand how it’s built, and it’s not too complicated. Which programming languages are supported? + Currently, Reachy Mini can be fully programmed with Python. Support for JavaScript and Scratch is planned soon. Visit Reachy Mini website