If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with robotics without spending a fortune, Hugging Face has made that easier. Known mainly for its popular artificial intelligence (AI) development platform, the company has taken another step into robotics. It has launched a new robotic arm, the SO-101, that you can print in 3D and programme yourself — and it starts at just US$100.
A smart upgrade from the SO-100
This new robotic arm, the SO-101, is an improvement on Hugging Face’s earlier model, the SO-100, which was first introduced in October last year. That earlier version was also priced at around US$100 and made with help from the French robotics company, The Robot Studio. For the new SO-101, Hugging Face has again joined forces with The Robot Studio and added three new partners: WowRobo, Seeed Studio, and PartaBot. Each of these companies brings their expertise in robotics parts and technology.
Super excited to introduce SO-101 today from @huggingface, in collaboration with @therobotstudio, Wowrobo, Seeedstudio & Partabot.
— clem 🤗 (@ClementDelangue) April 28, 2025
Building on top of the insanely successful SO-100 (the most popular robot arms ever?), SO-101 are the first robot arms any AI builder should buy.… pic.twitter.com/Y3IHskmiGb
Compared to the SO-100, the SO-101 is much easier and quicker to assemble. It also includes upgraded motors that create less friction and help the robotic arm hold its weight. This means it works more smoothly and efficiently. What makes it even more impressive is its built-in camera and the ability to learn new tasks through reinforcement learning — a type of AI training that helps machines learn by doing. You can teach it to pick up a Lego block and drop it into a container, and it will keep getting better with practice.
Prices may vary depending on build and supplier
While the SO-101’s starting price is US$100, this is the base price for the kit. If you want a fully assembled version, it will cost more. Depending on the supplier and the parts included, prices can go as high as US$500. U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports also affect the final cost for some buyers.
Still, even at the higher end of that price range, the SO-101 remains a very affordable way to explore robotics. Whether you’re a student, hobbyist, or developer, this new robotic arm opens up a world of possibilities for experimentation and learning.
Hugging Face is growing in the robotics world
Hugging Face isn’t stopping here. The company is investing more in robotics and recently bought a French robotics startup called Pollen Robotics. While the deal amount hasn’t been shared, this move signals a clear commitment to building its robotics team. Remi Cadene, a former engineer on Tesla’s Optimus robot project, leads this new direction.
One of the key products of this expansion is the Reachy 2, a humanoid robot built by Pollen Robotics. Hugging Face plans to sell this robot, allowing developers like you to download its code and suggest improvements. This open approach will enable people to work with advanced robotics in an accessible and creative way.
So whether you’re curious about robotic arms or interested in helping shape the next generation of humanoid robots, Hugging Face is making sure you have the tools to do it.
