Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini vs Sony aibo ERS-1000
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini costs $499 and the Sony aibo ERS-1000 costs $3,200, so the Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini is $2,701 cheaper. Pick the Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini for makers learning AI and robotics. Pick the Sony aibo ERS-1000 for robot fans who want the most lifelike dog. The Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini wins 2 of 2 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini wins 2 of 2 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Reachy Mini | aibo ERS-1000 | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $499 | $3,200 | Reachy Mini |
| Release year | 2025 | 2018 | Reachy Mini |
- You want to spend less (saves $2,701)
- You want the newer model (2025 vs 2018)
- Best for makers learning AI and robotics
- Best for robot fans who want the most lifelike dog
- Type
- DIY kit desk robot
- Interaction
- Voice conversation app
- Subscription
- None
Open source desk robot kit with expressive head, for AI tinkerers
Full Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini review, pros and cons →- Type
- Robot dog
- Interaction
- Voice
- Subscription
- Required after 3 yrs
Sony's four legged robot dog with a growing personality
Full Sony aibo ERS-1000 review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini | Sony aibo ERS-1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $3,200 |
| 3 year cost | $499 | $3,200 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Companions | #21 | #23 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | n/a | n/a |
| Type | DIY kit desk robot with a moving head, antennas and rotating body; Wireless and Lite versions share the same body | Robot dog with OLED eyes and 22 degrees of freedom |
| Interaction | Voice conversation app, head and antenna motion, community apps from the Hugging Face hub; SDK in Python and JavaScript (CNX Software) | Voice commands, touch sensors on head, chin and back, paw pads, face recognition, My aibo app (phone and web) |
| Ai features | Runs AI apps on a connected computer or the cloud; Jeff Geerling found the conversation app connects to OpenAI without asking for consent | Cloud AI through the aibo AI Cloud Plan stores memories and develops personality; learns tricks, recognizes people and can take photos |
| Camera | Wide angle camera; Geerling found a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 behind a fisheye lens. Four microphones and a 5W speaker (Pollen, CNX Software); Liliputing reported two mics on Lite at launch | Yes, a front camera and a SLAM camera for mapping; photos viewable in the My aibo app; no physical shutter published |
| Mobility | Stationary; 6 DoF head, 9 servo motors in total (CNX Software). Wireless version works with an optional hoverboard base (Pollen) | Four legs; indoor use only, operating range 41 to 95 F |
| Compute | Wireless: built in Raspberry Pi CM4 per Pollen and Geerling (launch coverage said Raspberry Pi 5). Lite: no onboard computer, runs from a Mac, PC or Linux machine over USB | n/a |
| Battery runtime | Wireless has a built in battery; runtime not published. Lite has no battery | About 2 hours in standard mode (Sony); walks back to its charger |
| Size weight | About 280 x 160 mm (11 x 6.3 in), about 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) (Liliputing, CNX Software) | About 7.1 x 11.5 x 12.0 in (W x H x D), about 2.2 kg (4.9 lb) |
| Assembly | Ships as a kit; Pollen says about 2.5 hours. Geerling built it in under 2 hours; Make's Dale Dougherty took about 3 hours | n/a |
| Subscription | None; AI apps that use cloud models may need your own API account | Required: aibo AI Cloud Plan, 3 years included, then $300 per 12 month renewal on the Sony US store |
| Age range | Not published by Pollen; aimed at developers and makers | Not published |
| Charge time | Not published | About 3 hours (Sony) |
| Best for | makers learning AI and robotics | robot fans who want the most lifelike dog |
| Skip if | you want a ready made companion that just works | you balk at $3,200 plus a yearly cloud fee |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini
- Jeff Geerling: Built the $449 Wireless kit in under 2 hours. Setup failed until he fixed an IPv6 DNS issue, APIs were open with no authentication, Marionette playback was inaccurate and the desktop app was flaky on Linux. Called it a neat idea but not a plug and play AI assistant. Source
- Make: (Dale Dougherty): Spent about 3 hours on the 46 assembly steps for a Lite unit. The app could not find the robot; with Pollen's help he traced it to a disconnected 300 mm motor cable that needed the body taken apart. Source
Sony aibo ERS-1000
- Engadget: Impressive sensors and cloud AI, but setup and the mobile app were slow, it struggled with floor transitions, its servos were loud at night and it took about two weeks to show personality. Concluded a shelter dog is a better choice for most people. Source
- Tom's Guide: Adorable and fun with a personality that grows, but the reviewer got about 1 hour 10 minutes of continuous activity, the app was sluggish and it often ignored commands during training. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini or the Sony aibo ERS-1000?
Pick the Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini for makers learning AI and robotics. Pick the Sony aibo ERS-1000 for robot fans who want the most lifelike dog.
Which is cheaper?
The Pollen Robotics (Hugging Face) Reachy Mini at $499, versus $3,200 for the Sony aibo ERS-1000, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $499 vs $3,200.
What is the difference between the Reachy Mini and the aibo ERS-1000?
Type: DIY kit desk robot with a moving head, antennas and rotating body; Wireless and Lite… on the Reachy Mini, Robot dog with OLED eyes and 22 degrees of freedom on the aibo ERS-1000. Interaction: Voice conversation app, head and antenna motion, community apps from the Hugging Face… on the Reachy Mini, Voice commands, touch sensors on head, chin and back, paw pads, face recognition, My… on the aibo ERS-1000. Ai features: Runs AI apps on a connected computer or the cloud; Jeff Geerling found the conversation… on the Reachy Mini, Cloud AI through the aibo AI Cloud Plan stores memories and develops personality; learns… on the aibo ERS-1000.
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