Hugging Face Acquires Pollen Robotics, Turbocharges Reachy 2

Acquisition Sparks Robotics Shift

Hugging Face has snapped up Pollen Robotics, the creators of the innovative Reachy 2 humanoid, in a bold move to fuse AI expertise with physical robotics. Announced recently, this deal propels Reachy 2 into the spotlight by open-sourcing its full design, code, and hardware blueprints, empowering developers worldwide to build, tweak, and deploy customized versions. The acquisition turbocharges development through Hugging Face's vast AI resources, aiming to slash barriers for researchers experimenting with embodied intelligence. Pollen's CEO Matthieu Lapeyre highlighted how top AI firms already leverage Reachy 2 for manipulation studies, signaling a push toward practical humanoid applications in daily environments.

Expressive Arms Redefined

Reachy 2 stands out with its dual 7-DoF bio-inspired arms, mirroring human proportions for fluid, dexterous handling of objects up to 3kg per arm. Patented Orbita parallel mechanisms in shoulders and elbows deliver dynamic, human-like rolls and pitches, powered by high-torque Maxon motors at 50rpm nominal speed. A torque-controlled Dynamixel gripper ensures gentle yet firm grasps, while swappable end-effectors like Aloha grippers expand versatility for intricate tasks. This setup excels in teleoperation via VR, letting users see through the robot's eyes and guide precise interactions remotely.

Vision Sensing Revolution

Engineers at Pollen Robotics packed Reachy 2 with cutting-edge perception tech, including dual IMX296 global shutter RGB cameras for stereo vision and a Luxonis OAK-FFC ToF depth sensor offering 0.2-5m range at 640x480@45fps with under 1% accuracy. On the mobile base, an RP Lidar S2 scans 30m radii at 32k measurements per second, complemented by wheel IMUs and hall sensors for robust navigation. This sensor fusion drives visual SLAM for indoor mapping, enabling seamless obstacle avoidance and 3D environmental understanding vital for AI training.

Research Worlds Transformed

Researchers now harness Reachy 2 for breakthroughs in AI embodied cognition, where the robot learns human-like manipulation through trial and error. Academic labs deploy it in teleoperation drills, honing skills for real-world autonomy, while interactive demos showcase nuanced human-robot exchanges. Its omnidirectional mobile base unlocks wider workspaces for package handling or tool wielding, bridging lab experiments to practical scenarios like collaborative assistance. Open-sourcing via Hugging Face accelerates global innovation, inviting hackers to refine behaviors for education or therapy.

Dexterity Enabling Blueprint

Reachy 2's 136-166cm height, 50kg frame, and 25cm shoulder width craft a stable platform for prolonged human interactions, with wheeled mobility hitting 3.6km/h recommended speeds for safe proximity. Dual IMX296 cameras and ToF depth fuse for precise stereo grasping, letting it delicately pass tools or packages without collisions, backed by force-limiting actuators and emergency stops. RP Lidar and IMUs power indoor navigation, supporting extended sessions on lithium-polymer batteries lasting typical multi-year cycles. ROS2 software with Python SDK fuels manipulation experiments, turning specs into empathetic, adaptive skills.

Rivals Edge Examined