AI · Product

HOPEJr

Open-source, low-cost DIY humanoid robot with dexterous hands

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HOPEJr is an open-source DIY humanoid robot project developed by The Robot Studio in collaboration with Hugging Face. It provides hardware designs, URDF models, and teleoperation setups aimed at bringing the build cost of a capable humanoid down to around $3,000. The system integrates with Hugging Face's LeRobot software framework for teleoperation, imitation learning, and model inference.

What it's for

  • Build an affordable humanoid platform for robotics research and education
  • Collect imitation learning datasets using 1:1 exoskeleton teleoperation
  • Train and evaluate policy models with the LeRobot framework
  • Simulate full humanoid dynamics using the provided URDF models

Features

  • Full-body humanoid design including arms, torso, and legs
  • Dexterous hands featuring an underactuated finger design for improved grasping
  • Complete URDF models for physics simulation and motion planning
  • Exoskeleton-based teleoperation setup with 1:1 joint mapping
  • Native Hugging Face LeRobot integration for data recording and inference
  • Simplified assembly using custom PCBs and no required soldering

Pricing

Open source. Free designs and code; bill of materials targeted around $3,000

Details

Type
Product
Category
AI
Topic
Robotics
Open source
Yes
Platforms
Linux, other
For
Robotics researchers, makers, and embodied AI developers
Alternative to
Unitree G1, Tesla Optimus
Tags
robotics, humanoid, hardware, open source, lerobot, diy

Why it was saved

  • @5aitec, 9 June 2025: Drastically reduces the cost barrier to humanoid robotics research, targeting under $3,000 compared to commercial units that cost $50,000 to $100,000.

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