Hugging Face, a company known for its open-source AI models and software, has acquired Pollen Robotics, a French startup behind the humanoid robot Reachy 2. The acquisition marks a significant step towards making robotics more accessible and open-source, with Hugging Face planning to sell the robot and allow developers to download, modify, and suggest improvements to its code.

What Happened

The acquisition was announced in April 2025, with Hugging Face acquiring Pollen Robotics' flagship Reachy 2 humanoid robot. The robot is a $70,000 research platform already deployed at prestigious institutions such as Cornell University and Carnegie Mellon. With 7 degrees of freedom, bio-inspired arms capable of handling 3 kg payloads, advanced VR teleoperation, and fully open-source hardware designs, the Pollen Robotics Reachy 2 offers a proven platform for Hugging Face to build upon.

According to Clément Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, "When considering physical devices performing tasks in various environments, the level of trust and transparency I require is significantly greater than when interacting with software on my laptop." This highlights the importance of open-source hardware and software in robotics, which Hugging Face aims to democratize.

Background and Context

Pollen Robotics was founded in 2016 by Matthieu Lapeyre, Alice Coucke, and Pierre Rouanet with the goal of making robots open, ethical, and easy for people to access. Their main creation is Reachy 2, an open-source humanoid robot designed for advanced research and real-world applications. The company has already gained recognition in the industry, winning several awards, including second place at the prestigious ANA Avatar XPRIZE in 2022.

Hugging Face, on the other hand, has emerged as a leading platform for AI models and software, with over 7 million users and a thriving community of researchers, developers, and organizations. The company has already made significant contributions to the field of robotics, starting "LeRobot," an open-source robotics library led by Remi Cadene, a former Tesla Optimus engineer.

Why it Matters

The acquisition marks a significant step towards making robotics more accessible and open-source. Hugging Face's plan to sell Reachy 2 and allow developers to download, modify, and suggest improvements to its code will democratize access to robotics technology. This is particularly important in the adult industry, where scalability, moderation, and age-gating are critical concerns.

The availability of powerful open-source AI models has made it easier for researchers and startups to experiment with cutting-edge AI. Similarly, making hardware open source can unleash a wide range of new robot capabilities. Hugging Face's acquisition of Pollen Robotics combines the strengths of open-source software with open hardware design in the field of robotics.

What Comes Next

Hugging Face plans to build upon the proven platform offered by Reachy 2, making it easier for developers to create and use robots. The company's vision is to make building or using robot assistants or games simpler and more affordable for all sorts of people – from students and hobbyists to researchers and businesses.

The acquisition also follows Hugging Face's strategic hire of Remi Cadene, a former Tesla Optimus engineer, who now leads their robotics division. This move demonstrates Hugging Face's commitment to making significant contributions to the field of robotics.

Key Facts

  • Hugging Face acquired Pollen Robotics in April 2025.
  • The acquisition marks a significant step towards making robotics more accessible and open-source.
  • Pollen Robotics' flagship Reachy 2 humanoid robot is a $70,000 research platform already deployed at prestigious institutions such as Cornell University and Carnegie Mellon.
  • Hugging Face plans to sell Reachy 2 and allow developers to download, modify, and suggest improvements to its code.
  • The acquisition combines the strengths of open-source software with open hardware design in the field of robotics.