Hugging Face Bets on Open-Source Robotics with Reachy 2 Acquisition

Hugging Face, the company known for its open-source AI platform, announced today the acquisition of French robotics startup Pollen Robotics, the creators of the humanoid robot Reachy 2.

The move marks Hugging Face’s entry into the robotics hardware space. The company aims to make robotics development more transparent and accessible.

Democratizing Robotics Through Open Source

As part of the acquisition, Hugging Face plans to sell Reachy 2 while also making its software and hardware open source.

Developers will be able to download, modify, and contribute improvements to the robot’s codebase.

“It’s really important for robotics to be as open source as possible,” said Clément Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face. “When you think about physical objects doing things at work and at home, the level of trust and transparency I need is much higher than for something I chat with on my laptop.”

The company aims to replicate in robotics what it has already done in AI. Hugging face intends to empower community of developers to accelerate innovation by making tools freely available and modifiable.

Reachy 2: A Humanoid Robot for Research and Home Use

Developed by Pollen Robotics, Reachy 2 is a two-armed, expressive robot capable of performing tasks such as tidying coffee mugs and picking up fruit.

It is already being used in research by leading AI companies to explore robotic manipulation—although names remain undisclosed due to confidentiality agreements.

Despite Reachy 2’s capabilities, commercialization remains a challenge. “Selling humanoid robots is still hard,” said Matthieu Lapeyre, co-founder and CEO of Pollen Robotics. “Use cases are often unclear and the systems unreliable. But with Hugging Face, we hope to democratize that.”

From Open-Source AI to Open Hardware

The success of open-source AI models—such as those hosted on Hugging Face’s platform—has paved the way for similar approaches in robotics.

While open-source AI typically involves sharing model weights and code, open hardware also includes access to component designs and 3D models, enabling easier repair and customization.

“Hopefully open source can unleash a wide and diverse range of new robot capabilities,” said Delangue.

Lapeyre echoed this sentiment, noting that developers can print replacement parts or improve on existing components themselves.

“If something’s not perfect, they can make it better,” he said.

Recent development in open-source robotics

Recent developments in open-source robotics signal a growing momentum toward greater accessibility, collaboration, and innovation in the field.

The Open Source Robotics Foundation (OSRF) recently launched the Open Source Robotics Alliance (OSRA), a new initiative aimed at strengthening the sustainability and governance of key projects like the Robot Operating System (ROS).

NVIDIA has introduced Isaac GR00T N1, a customizable open-source foundation model designed to accelerate humanoid robot development, alongside Newton, a collaborative physics engine created with Google DeepMind and Disney Research to enhance robotic learning through simulation.

Meanwhile, researchers have unveiled ToddlerBot, a compact, 3D-printed humanoid robot designed for scalable learning and experimentation in robotics and AI, making it ideal for academic and research environments.

In the realm of material science, the FLUID robot offers a fully open-source, 3D-printed platform that aids in the discovery of new materials using automated processes.

These efforts reflect a broader shift toward democratizing robotics by lowering barriers to entry and enabling a diverse range of contributors to shape the future of physical intelligence.

Looking Ahead

With the acquisition of Pollen Robotics, Hugging Face positions itself at the intersection of open-source software and open robotics hardware.

As researchers and developers rally around platforms like Reachy 2, the push for transparent, accessible robotics could reshape the field.

Whether in labs or homes, the next generation of robots may be not only intelligent—but also open to everyone.

News Gist

Hugging Face has acquired Pollen Robotics, maker of humanoid robot Reachy 2, marking its entry into robotics hardware.

The company plans to open-source Reachy’s software and hardware to boost transparency, accessibility, and community-driven innovation in robotics.