Hugging Face, the renowned artificial intelligence (AI) development platform, has unveiled its latest innovation: the SO-101, a robot arm capable of 3D printing.
On Monday, TechCrunch reported that this new product is an enhanced version of last year’s SO-100. The SO-101 boasts faster assembly times and features a friction-reducing motor, enabling it to support its own weight more effectively.
Utilizing reinforcement learning, the SO-101 can perform basic tasks such as picking up Lego blocks and placing them in a box. Its built-in camera allows for precise movements, expanding its potential applications.
Hugging Face collaborated with French robotics firm The Robot Studio, robotics parts supplier WowRobo, Seeed Studio, and PartaBot to develop this model. Pricing for the SO-101 starts at 100 USD but could reach up to 500 USD when factoring in the complete product and U.S. import tariffs on Chinese goods.
In a related development, Hugging Face is broadening its robotics portfolio through the acquisition of French startup Pollen Robotics. The robotics division, led by Remi Cadene, a former Tesla Optimus engineer, plans to market Pollen’s humanoid robot Reachy 2. In an innovative move, they will also open up the robot’s code, allowing developers to suggest improvements and contribute to its evolution.