Hugging Face Unveils Open Source Robotics Project Led by Ex-Tesla Scientist

Hugging Face, the New York City startup known for its widely-used open-source repository of machine learning and AI code, is embarking on an exciting new robotics project led by former Tesla staff scientist Remi Cadene. Cadene announced the initiative on X this morning.

He stated that the Hugging Face robotics project will be “open-source, not as in OpenAI,” reflecting the company's commitment to open-source principles and delivering a playful jab at OpenAI amidst its ongoing legal disputes with rival Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is also Cadene's former boss.

Cadene also revealed that the company is "looking for engineers" in Paris, France, and provided a link to a job listing for an “Embodied Robotics Engineer.” The listing highlights Hugging Face's belief that machine learning should extend beyond traditional computers and servers, outlining the role's responsibilities:

“As a Robotics Engineer at Hugging Face, you will design, build, and maintain open-source, low-cost robotic systems that integrate AI technologies, specifically in deep learning and embodied AI. You will collaborate closely with ML engineers, researchers, and product teams to push the boundaries of robotics and AI.”

The job description emphasizes tasks such as “Designing, building, and maintaining open-source robotic systems that incorporate deep learning and embodied AI technologies,” as well as creating affordable robots using off-the-shelf electronic components, controllers, and 3D-printed parts.

This new direction represents a significant shift and ambitious growth for Hugging Face, which has primarily focused on software until now. The increasing investment and interest in humanoid and general robotics underscore this transition, with Tesla advancing its humanoid robot, Optimus—project Cadene contributed to during his tenure in the Autopilot group. Meanwhile, rival Figure recently raised a staggering $675 million from investors, including OpenAI, to develop its robotics solutions.

The pace of research in robotics has markedly accelerated as engineers seek insights from the generative AI boom, exploring ways to train robots more efficiently and cost-effectively using large language models (LLMs) and machine learning (ML). The tech industry is increasingly interested in "embodied" AI—technologies that move beyond screens to create machines capable of autonomously navigating the physical world and assisting with demanding tasks such as household chores, manufacturing, and hard labor.

Cadene's background includes nearly three years at Tesla, from April 2021 to March 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile.

We have reached out to Hugging Face for confirmation and additional details about the project and will provide updates as we receive more information.