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Hugging Face just launched a $299 robot that could disrupt the robotics industry

venturebeat.com

101–110 of 116 posts

Re: Hugging Face just launched a $299 robot that could disrupt the robotics industry

#101
Looks like those desktop robots on kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/obboto/obboto-glowbot

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tangiblefuture/looi-rob...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/energize-lab/eilik-a-li...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keyitechnology/meet-loo...

etc.

Re: Hugging Face just launched a $299 robot that could disrupt the robotics industry

#103
post #53

They say "$299," but it looks a ways off from hitting the shelves. In my experience, these "intended MSRP prices" tend to be ... aspirational .

Looking at the BOM (6 cheapest servos, one usb camera, a usb hub, a microctronller ,two mics, 30cm-high low-precision plastic) the price looks fairly realistic to me. I could imagine it at half the price on aliexpress. The manufacturing or sourcing doesn't seem complicated. So overall it looks like a very realistic endeavor. The only negative point I see: Pollen Robotics doesn't seem used to do mass market/cheap prod…

My experience is that BoM estimates tend to be inaccurate. Look at Apple kit.

There’s the cost of materials, the cost of distribution and storage, Corporate Overhead, NRE, and then the “Because We Can Get Away With It” surcharge.

Re: Hugging Face just launched a $299 robot that could disrupt the robotics industry

#104
post #29

Reachy Mini Lite specs say: "Compatible with Mac and Linux (Windows soon)" Ahahahahaha! Ahem. How the mighty have fallen.

Windows would probably work through WSL, right?

Probably, and it's coming soon, so it doesn't really matter. But, it's not what you would have seen when I started in this field.

Re: Hugging Face just launched a $299 robot that could disrupt the robotics industry

#105
post #33

Nothing in the article, the video, or the manufacturer's own blog post explains what this thing actually does . Seriously. This is an ephemeral marketing puff piece. As far as I can infer, the thing's basically a smart speaker which rotates.

It's a toy. It does not compete in any way with the robots they place it in context with. It's like saying my 40$ Raspberry Pi is a serious contender for Dell's latest 40.000$ 3U enterprise server.

Re: Hugging Face just launched a $299 robot that could disrupt the robotics industry

#108
>huge possibilities

I'm not seeing it. A head that can move and wiggling antennas just isn't useful or even a usable interaction interface.

The vid is people waving at it, two people separately demonstrating the same demo (tracking people's hands), head bopping up and down (possibly in sync with music?) and a girl staring at it lovingly.

Re: Hugging Face just launched a $299 robot that could disrupt the robotics industry

#109
post #33

Nothing in the article, the video, or the manufacturer's own blog post explains what this thing actually does . Seriously. This is an ephemeral marketing puff piece. As far as I can infer, the thing's basically a smart speaker which rotates.

The blog explains it: It can move its head, antennas, and rotate. It’s a little humanoid desk toy to stand in for computer interaction. It has nothing to do with the disrupting the “robot industry” like the Venture Beat headline says. It’s a little animated thing to house the AV equipment.

Maybe as “disruptive” to the robotic industry as a 3d printer is disruptive to the industrial machining sector.

Re: Hugging Face just launched a $299 robot that could disrupt the robotics industry

#110
post #33

Nothing in the article, the video, or the manufacturer's own blog post explains what this thing actually does . Seriously. This is an ephemeral marketing puff piece. As far as I can infer, the thing's basically a smart speaker which rotates.

The blog explains it: It can move its head, antennas, and rotate. It’s a little humanoid desk toy to stand in for computer interaction. It has nothing to do with the disrupting the “robot industry” like the Venture Beat headline says. It’s a little animated thing to house the AV equipment.

So, a Furby?

At this last CES there was a whole sleuth of these knick-knack type robots. A cute little thingy that doesn't do anything, but it's cute! And it looks around or something. All "AI powered", of course.

Then I think we all forgot this was all the rage in the 2000s. These are just Furbys with extra steps. Except, I have more reason to believe Furbys have a soul. They feel a lot more alive... maybe too alive. Who's trapped in there, and can they get out?

And, when they inevitably break out of their plastic, furry prison, will they seek revenge? These are the questions that keep humanity up at night.

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