As the world embraces advancements in AI and robotics, companies and research institutions are at the forefront, developing their proprietary platforms. However, France's Pollen Robotics is taking a different approach by launching the open-source robot, Reachy, to ignite a robotics revolution.
We explored Reachy at the CES 2020 Unveiled event, where I had a chance to challenge—and win against—the robot at tic-tac-toe. While fun, Reachy offers far more than just games. Developers can leverage Python to create a wide range of applications, from food service and customer assistance to research and development. Thanks to its modular design and built-in AI, Reachy enables developers to dive into their projects without needing to train a machine learning component first.
Reachy's arms are inspired by human biology, providing seven degrees of freedom for movement. They can be fitted with various manipulators, including versatile clamps and five-fingered humanoid hands. The robot features a specialized neck joint that enables its head to swivel, pan, and tilt in a surprisingly lifelike manner, moving away from the typical emotive displays seen in other robots.
Despite its open-source capabilities, Reachy’s pricing may be a barrier for many hobbyists. The basic single-arm model costs $9,000, while the advanced version, complete with double arms and a head, is priced around $17,000. Pollen Robotics plans to ship the first batch of 15 Reachy robots soon, aiming to inspire innovation in robotics applications.