Hi Synapticians!

Hugging Face is no longer content just hosting 1.7 million models; the company is now putting AI on your desk. Starting this morning, the platform is taking orders for Reachy Mini, its open-source build-it-yourself robot. It comes in a Lite version at $299 and a Wireless version at $449 that bundles a Raspberry Pi 5 and a battery. Programmable in Python and natively connected to the Hugging Face Hub, the little humanoid promises to turn every developer into a home robo-app tinkerer.

Why does this mark a turning point? First, the timing. After buying Pollen Robotics in April, Hugging Face keeps repeating that the future of AI will depend on manipulating real-world objects and on radical hardware transparency. Then there is the price: while Tesla Optimus hovers around $20 000 and Unitree barely dips below $16 000, Reachy Mini comes in under $500, a shock to traditional robotics margins. Finally, the user base: the Hugging Face ecosystem already counts 10 million builders ready to test, fork, and share their mechanical scripts. In other words, an app store of gestures, dialogues, and robotic quirks could blossom faster than a GitHub repo.

If Reachy Mini meets its delivery dates (Lite next month, Wireless in the autumn) it will become the Raspberry Pi of humanoids, opening the way for a proliferation of home robots as varied as our mobile apps. Closed-door giants will have to choose between cutting costs or opening up their designs. Inside the labs, a new mantra is emerging: fork my robot if you can.

Put simply, Reachy Mini is more than a cute gadget; it is a sharp test of a bold hypothesis that robotics innovation will be community-driven or it will not happen at all. The remaining question is whether, once the plastic is screwed together and the servomotors are plugged in, the community will show up. Our wager is yes, and that the real shock will not be the price but the README.md page shipped with every screw.

Here’s the rest of the news about AI today:

• Perplexity's Comet: An AI Browser Revolution

• Exploring OpenAI's Strategic and Ethical Landscape

• Mistral in Talks to Raise $1 Billion for AI

Top AI news

1. Hugging Face Launches Reachy Mini Robots
Hugging Face has launched orders for its Reachy Mini desktop robots, available in two versions: the Wireless at $449 and the Lite at $299. These open-source robots are programmable in Python and integrated with the Hugging Face Hub, providing access to extensive AI models and datasets. The initiative aims to empower developers and democratize robotics. Read online 🕶️

2. Perplexity's Comet: An AI Browser Revolution
Perplexity's Comet is an AI-powered web browser aiming to challenge Google. It features an AI assistant for automating tasks like email summarization and tab management. While it offers innovative capabilities, it requires substantial data access, which may concern users. Comet's potential to enhance productivity could make it a strong contender in the browser market. Read online 🕶️

3. Exploring OpenAI's Strategic and Ethical Landscape
Karen Hao's 'Empire of AI' delves into OpenAI's evolution from a nonprofit to a tech giant, exploring its strategic focus on scaling AI techniques. The book raises critical questions about the environmental and social costs of AI development, drawing parallels with historical colonial practices. It challenges readers to consider the ethical implications of AI's rapid growth. Read online 🕶️

4. Mistral in Talks to Raise $1 Billion for AI
French AI startup Mistral is reportedly in discussions to raise $1 billion in equity, involving investors like Abu Dhabi’s MGX fund. The company, known for its Le Chat chatbot, is a major player in European AI, focusing on open-weight LLMs. This funding aligns with efforts to boost AI sovereignty in Europe. Read online 🕶️

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