# I'm totally sold. - Reachy Mini Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cY1rFrNQpE Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/_cY1rFrNQpE Generated: 2026-01-30T22:04:06.279+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Reachy Mini robot is highly expressive and fun to interact with, despite lacking physical arms for grasping, offering a compelling open-source platform for robotics enthusiasts and educational use at an accessible price point of $299 for the Lite version. **Key Points:** - The Reachy Mini Lite version costs $299 USD, while the full Wireless version with an onboard Raspberry Pi 4 and IMU costs $449 USD. - The robot's expressive capabilities are demonstrated through its 'emotions' app, capable of outputs like 'go away' and 'fear1', and its ability to react to sound/clapping. - The host found the robot to have a 'big personality' despite its compact size and lack of physical arms for grasping objects. - The Reachy Mini Control web dashboard allows users to toggle applications like 'spaceship_game', 'emotions', and 'dj_reactor', and adjust volume/microphone settings. - The Reachy Mini features a 12 MP Sony sensor camera between its two large 'eyes' for spatial awareness and perception. - The open-source nature allows users to easily download and upload custom apps from platforms like Hugging Face. - The host accidentally caused the robot to emit loud noises and enter a 'sleep' state when physically manipulating its head/antennas. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The host is shown attempting to attach the antennae to the Reachy Mini head unit during the initial assembly phase, alongside a game screen instructing to 'SHOOT TO START'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_cY1rFrNQpE/00-00-03.jpg) **Context:** This video showcases an unboxing, initial setup, and brief demonstration of the Reachy Mini, a compact, open-source desktop robot developed by Pollen Robotics, which aims to provide an accessible entry point into robotics and AI interaction for hobbyists and educators, contrasting it with the larger, more capable Reachy 2. ## Detailed Analysis The video features the unboxing and initial demonstration of the Reachy Mini robot, a smaller, desktop version of the Reachy 2 humanoid robot. The host, Linus Sebastian, quickly highlights the Reachy 2's specifications—an advanced open-source humanoid costing around USD 78,000—to establish context for the significantly cheaper Reachy Mini. The Reachy Mini comes in two versions: the 'Wireless' version for $449 USD, which includes a Raspberry Pi 4 and an IMU for standalone operation, and the 'Lite' version for $299 USD, which requires a tethered USB connection to an external computer for processing. The host begins by assembling the robot, noting that Pollen Robotics provided an assembly guide online. Once assembled, the robot is powered on via USB, indicated by a green light. The host demonstrates the Reachy Mini Control web application, which shows the robot's status ('Up and ready'), allows playing movements like 'dances' or 'emotions' (such as 'go away' or 'fear1'), and provides volume/microphone controls. The head unit contains a 12 MP Sony sensor camera situated between the two large black lenses. The host tests the 'emotions' feature, selecting 'go away', which causes the robot to make a sound and lean away from the host, leading to laughter. The host then tests the 'DJ Reactor' application, which makes the robot dance based on audio input, noting that the movement intensity and beat sensitivity are adjustable. The host also points out the extensive list of community-made applications available on Hugging Face, such as 'Reachy Mini Conversation App' and 'Simple Dances Studio', which can be installed directly from the dashboard. Despite its lack of functional arms for grasping, the host praises the robot's expressive nature, compact size, and affordability, concluding that he is 'totally sold' on the product. ### Product Overview - Reachy Mini Lite costs $299 USD (USB tethered, development-focused) - Reachy Mini Wireless costs $449 USD (On-board Raspberry Pi 4, Wi-Fi, built-in IMU) - Reachy 2 comparison: $78,000 USD humanoid for advanced research ### Hardware Features - White, egg-shaped body - Two antennae used for expression/control - 12 MP Sony sensor camera between eyes for visual perception - Speaker included inside the body ### Software Control - Uses the Reachy Mini Control web app - Applications are toggled on/off, including 'spaceship_game', 'emotions', and 'dj_reactor' - 'Emotions' feature demonstrates expressive head movements based on commands like 'go away' ### Demonstrations - Robot reacts with sounds and leaning when told 'go away' after the host pulls its antennae - DJ Reactor app allows the robot to dance to music based on audio input, with adjustable intensity and beat sensitivity - Testing the 'metronome' app shows the robot reacting to rhythmic input ![Screenshot at 00:00: The Reachy Mini robot sitting on the desk before assembly, showing its distinctive white, rounded body and black 'eyes' with antennae attached.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_cY1rFrNQpE/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:28: The host holding the Reachy Mini box which displays the product name 'Reachy Mini' and logos for Pollen Robotics and Hugging Face.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_cY1rFrNQpE/00-00-28.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:07: An exploded view of the Reachy Mini's internal components laid out on a blue cutting mat during the assembly guide demonstration.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_cY1rFrNQpE/00-01-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:21: The host manually manipulating the robot's head after reassembling it, noting the cute sounds it makes when handled.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_cY1rFrNQpE/00-02-21.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:10: A side-by-side comparison of the Reachy Mini Lite \($299\) and Reachy Mini Wireless \($449\) pricing tiers displayed on the website.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_cY1rFrNQpE/00-04-10.jpg)