Hugging Face introduced a 3D-printed robotic hand for $100

Hugging Face, best known for its AI-powered developer platform, has begun selling a 3D-printed programmable robotic hand. The device can grasp and move objects, as well as perform a range of basic tasks.

The model, named SO-101, is the successor to the previous version, SO-100, which was released in 2024. At that time, Hugging Face’s robotics division, LeRobot, unveiled the device in collaboration with the French company The Robot Studio. The base price was around $100.

Compared to the SO-100, the new model is faster to assemble and features improved motors that reduce friction and allow the arm to support its own weight. The device is equipped with a camera and can be trained using reinforcement learning—an AI algorithm that enables a robot to “learn” tasks such as picking up a LEGO brick and placing it into a container.

It is important to note that $100 is the starting price for the kit. Due to markups on fully assembled units and tariffs on Chinese imports, the final cost ranges from $100 to approximately $500, depending on the supplier.

Hugging Face is actively expanding its robotics initiatives. Recently, the company acquired the French startup Pollen Robotics. Hugging Face’s robotics division, led by former Tesla Optimus engineer Rémi Cadene, plans to release the humanoid robot Reachy 2 and will allow developers to download and improve its software code.

Source: TechCrunch