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Open-Source Robot Reachy Mini Brings AI to Your Desktop

Most robots today look like they belong in a factory or a science fiction movie, with their cold metal frames and intimidating mechanical movements that make you think twice about getting too close. There’s something inherently off-putting about the way most robotic designs prioritize function over approachability, creating machines that feel more like tools than companions, even when they’re supposed to help us in our daily lives.

That’s what makes Reachy Mini such a refreshing departure from the typical robotics playbook. This compact desktop robot from Hugging Face feels more like a curious pet than a piece of industrial equipment, with its expressive LED eyes and animated antennas that give it genuine personality. At just 11 inches tall and weighing 3.3 pounds, it’s sized more like a stuffed animal than a traditional robot.

Designer: Hugging Face, Pollen Robotics

Hugging Face, the machine learning platform often called “the GitHub of AI” for its vast community of developers sharing AI models and datasets, has taken its first step into physical robotics with this charming little companion. The company’s open-source, community-driven philosophy translates beautifully into hardware, creating a robot that’s designed to be modified, customized, and shared rather than locked down by proprietary restrictions.

The design itself is surprisingly endearing, with two animated antennas that move expressively and a head that can rotate with six degrees of freedom, giving Reachy Mini an almost pet-like quality. When it goes into sleep mode, it actually shrinks down to about 9 inches tall, which adds to its charm in a way that most tech products completely miss. The wide-angle camera and 5W speaker are integrated so seamlessly that they don’t disrupt the friendly aesthetic.

What’s particularly clever about Reachy Mini is how it comes as a kit with 3D-printable components, making customization not just possible but encouraged. You can choose between a Lite version for $299 that connects to your computer, or the full autonomous version with a Raspberry Pi 5 that can operate independently. The fact that everything is open-source means you’re not just buying a robot, you’re joining a community of makers who share modifications and improvements.

The AI integration is where things get really interesting, though. Reachy Mini taps directly into Hugging Face’s ecosystem of AI models, giving it conversational abilities, object recognition, and even emotional expression that feels surprisingly natural. You can have actual conversations with it, use it as a coding tutor, or even turn it into an interactive art project, all through simple Python programming that’s accessible to beginners.

Of course, there are some practical considerations to keep in mind. The early development phase means you’re essentially becoming a beta tester, and the full autonomous version won’t ship until fall 2025 at the earliest. The Lite version, arriving late summer 2025, requires a tethered connection to your computer, which limits its mobility somewhat.

The educational potential here is enormous, particularly for STEM programs where students can learn programming, AI, and robotics through hands-on experimentation rather than abstract theory. The growing community around Reachy Mini is already sharing projects, modifications, and educational resources that make advanced robotics accessible to everyone, not just engineering students.

Reachy Mini succeeds because it understands that the future of robotics isn’t about creating more sophisticated machines, but about making technology more human-centered and approachable. By combining expressive design with open-source accessibility, it proves that the most innovative robots might just be the ones that feel less like robots and more like companions we actually want to spend time with.

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Recov concept lets you relax with incense and without guilt

If you’re one of those people who drags themselves home after a long day, feeling like you’ve been running on empty for hours, you’re not alone. The constant cycle of work stress, endless meetings, and the pressure to always be “on” can leave anyone feeling drained. But what if there was a simple, elegant solution that could help you reclaim those precious moments of peace? Enter Recov, a revolutionary incense burner concept that’s designed specifically for people like you who desperately need to rediscover the value of rest.

Created by the talented design team of Ko Ye Been, Lee Ji Ho, Roh Woo Hyun, and Oh Yun, Recov isn’t just another home accessory. It’s a thoughtfully crafted wellness tool that transforms the ancient practice of incense burning into a modern ritual for recovery and relaxation. The tagline “Discover the value of rest” perfectly captures what this innovative product aims to achieve: making rest not just an afterthought, but a deliberate, mindful practice.

Designers: Ko Ye Been, Lee Ji Ho, Roh Woo Hyun, and Oh Yun

The design itself is refreshingly simple yet sophisticated. The clean, minimalist aesthetic features a warm cream-colored body with subtle orange accents that immediately feel calming and approachable. Unlike traditional incense burners that can feel ceremonial or intimidating, Recov looks like it belongs in your contemporary living space. The cylindrical form with its gentle curves and soft lighting creates an atmosphere that whispers “slow down” rather than demanding attention.

What makes Recov truly special is how it reimagines the entire incense experience. Instead of fumbling with matches and worrying about timing, you simply insert an incense stick into the top opening, set your desired duration using the intuitive timer system (15, 30, or 60 minutes), and let the device do the rest. The soft mood lighting gradually illuminates as the incense burns, creating a visual cue that helps your mind transition from work mode to rest mode. The thoughtful engineering extends to practical details that busy people will appreciate. The bottom tray collects ash automatically, eliminating the mess and maintenance that often deters people from using traditional incense. The timer function means you can start your relaxation ritual and trust that it will end safely, allowing you to fully let go without worrying about fire hazards or waste.

But perhaps the most brilliant aspect of Recov is how it makes rest feel intentional rather than guilty. In our productivity-obsessed culture, taking time to simply breathe and be present can feel selfish or lazy. By creating a structured, time-bound experience, Recov gives you permission to pause. It transforms those stolen moments of peace into a legitimate wellness practice, complete with sensory cues that signal to your brain that it’s time to decompress. The accompanying incense options, including “Calm Flow,” “Rest Bloom,” and “Inner Goals,” are specifically formulated to support different aspects of recovery. Whether you need to quiet racing thoughts after a stressful presentation or create a buffer between work and personal time, there’s a scent designed to help you transition more effectively.

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Status Audio’s New Pro X Premium Earbuds Feature Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers

Knowles Corporation has announced that Status Audio has selected Knowles balanced armature drivers for its new Status Pro X true wireless earbuds. The earbuds feature a triple-driver hybrid configuration with two Knowles BA drivers and one dynamic driver in each earbud. This collaboration delivers crystal clear sound quality that rivals many other hybrid true wireless stereo designs currently available in the market. The Status Pro X showcases how advanced driver technology can be integrated into compact form factors without compromising audio performance. Consumer expectations for high-definition audio continue to evolve, and this partnership addresses those demands through technical innovation. The collaboration represents a significant step forward in making professional-grade audio technology accessible to mainstream consumers.

Designers: Status Audio + Knowles Corporation

Design and Engineering Architecture

The Status Pro X features a sleek black design with angular geometric elements that house the complex driver configuration. The earbuds display a modern aesthetic with glossy black surfaces and subtle chrome accents that complement the technical sophistication within. Each earbud contains the triple-driver system arranged in a carefully engineered acoustic chamber that maximizes sound quality while minimizing size. The charging case maintains the same black finish with a subtle LED indicator strip that provides battery status information.

The exterior design reveals distinctive left (L) and right (R) channel markings that are subtly integrated into the black housing. The earbuds feature a two-tone design with matte black sections contrasting against glossy chrome or metallic gray accents that create a diagonal split across each earbud’s body. The ergonomic ear tip design shows how the silicone tips are engineered to provide secure fit while maintaining comfort during extended wear. The tips appear to have a tapered design that accommodates different ear canal sizes while ensuring proper acoustic seal for optimal sound delivery.

The internal architecture reveals the complexity of the hybrid driver system through detailed exploded views showing each component’s placement. The 12mm dynamic driver handles lower frequencies while the two Knowles balanced armature drivers manage mid and high frequencies with precision. The Status 5.3 processor chip sits at the base of each earbud, managing the complex audio processing required for the multi-driver configuration. Gold-plated charging contacts ensure reliable power delivery while maintaining the aesthetic throughout the design.

The driver configuration utilizes Knowles’ miniaturized BA technology to achieve frequency response characteristics that would require larger components in traditional designs. Each balanced armature driver features precision-engineered magnetic assemblies with copper-colored accent rings that distinguish them from conventional dynamic drivers. The assembly process requires careful alignment of multiple acoustic chambers to ensure optimal sound delivery across the entire frequency spectrum. This engineering approach allows Status Audio to achieve audiophile-quality sound reproduction in a form factor suitable for active lifestyles.

Advanced Acoustic Engineering and Driver Isolation

The exploded views reveal a critical engineering achievement: independent acoustic chambers for each driver type. The balanced armature drivers are housed in separate sealed chambers from the dynamic driver, preventing acoustic interference between different frequency ranges. This isolation is crucial because BA drivers operate on electromagnetic principles while dynamic drivers use magnetic coil movement. Without proper isolation, the magnetic fields from the dynamic driver could interfere with the precise electromagnetic operation of the BA drivers, causing distortion and frequency response irregularities.

The engineering decisions visible in the Status Pro X’s internal architecture suggest several theoretical advantages for sound quality, though actual performance will require hands-on testing to verify. The independent acoustic chambers for each driver type should theoretically eliminate the frequency response irregularities that plague many hybrid designs. When drivers operate in shared acoustic spaces, their different operating principles can create interference patterns that manifest as peaks and dips in the frequency response.

The copper-colored accent rings visible around the BA drivers serve a dual purpose beyond aesthetics. These rings function as electromagnetic shielding, containing the magnetic fields within each driver’s operating space. This shielding prevents crosstalk between drivers and maintains the precise frequency separation that hybrid configurations require. The metallic finish also provides structural reinforcement for the delicate BA driver assemblies.

The internal layout demonstrates a sophisticated crossover network integrated directly into the circuit board assembly. Traditional earbuds often rely on simple capacitive or resistive crossovers, but the Status Pro X appears to implement active crossover technology through the Status 5.3 processor chip. This approach allows for precise frequency division points and phase alignment between the dynamic driver (handling bass frequencies) and the dual BA drivers (managing midrange and treble frequencies).

The active crossover implementation through the Status 5.3 processor offers theoretical advantages over passive crossover networks. Active crossovers can provide steeper roll-off slopes and more precise frequency division points, which should translate to cleaner separation between bass, midrange, and treble frequencies. This precision becomes particularly important in the critical midrange frequencies where vocals and many instruments reside.

The stacked driver arrangement positions the dynamic driver at the bottom of the assembly, closest to the ear canal opening. This placement takes advantage of the dynamic driver’s natural bass response while allowing the BA drivers to be positioned for optimal mid and high-frequency projection. The acoustic design ensures that sound waves from all three drivers reach the ear canal with proper timing alignment, preventing phase cancellation that could muddy the sound.

The vertical stacking arrangement with the dynamic driver positioned closest to the ear canal should theoretically provide more natural bass response. Dynamic drivers excel at moving the air volume necessary for impactful bass reproduction, and their placement at the acoustic output point maximizes this advantage. The BA drivers positioned further back in the assembly can focus on their strengths in midrange clarity and treble extension without competing for the same acoustic space.

Thermal Management and Power Efficiency Optimization

The internal images show strategic component placement that addresses thermal management concerns. The Status processor chip is positioned away from the dynamic driver’s magnet assembly, which generates the most heat during operation. This separation prevents thermal interference with the digital signal processing and maintains consistent audio performance during extended listening sessions. The gold-plated charging contacts indicate attention to electrical efficiency throughout the design. Gold plating provides superior conductivity and corrosion resistance compared to standard contacts, ensuring reliable power delivery to the complex multi-driver system.

This attention to electrical efficiency is crucial for maintaining the precise power requirements of the BA drivers, which are more sensitive to voltage fluctuations than traditional dynamic drivers. The 21 percent size reduction compared to the previous model represents a significant engineering achievement when housing three separate drivers. The images reveal vertical stacking optimization where components are arranged to minimize lateral footprint while maintaining acoustic performance. This vertical integration required custom-designed BA drivers from Knowles that could operate effectively in the confined space while maintaining their electromagnetic isolation requirements.

The circuit board integration shows how the digital processing components are embedded directly into the acoustic assembly rather than occupying separate space. This integration reduces internal volume requirements while maintaining the electrical isolation necessary for clean audio signal processing. The blue circuit traces visible on the Status chip indicate high-frequency signal paths that require careful routing to prevent electromagnetic interference with the sensitive BA driver operations.

Audio Technology and Performance Capabilities

Status Pro X users can select from multiple equalizer settings, including the Status Signature setting and the Knowles Curve setting. The Knowles Curve setting is based on the Knowles Preferred Listening Response Curve, which represents a breakthrough in audio engineering based on research showing that listeners across age ranges and hearing abilities prefer expanded treble response beyond 10 kHz for a more satisfying music experience. By leveraging Knowles BA technology, Status Audio achieves the higher frequencies necessary to produce optimal audio performance and unlock intricate musical details while preserving the natural tonal balance that audiophiles demand.

The Knowles Preferred Listening Response Curve implementation suggests that the Status Pro X may deliver a more engaging sound signature than traditional flat response tunings. Research indicates that listeners consistently prefer moderate treble emphasis above 10 kHz, which can enhance the perception of detail and airiness in music.

The hybrid configuration allows for precise frequency separation that eliminates the compromises associated with single-driver designs. Jon Kiachian, President of MedTech and Specialty Audio at Knowles Corporation, stated that their BA drivers represent the pinnacle of miniaturized audio engineering. The collaboration with Status Audio demonstrates how their BA drivers can help brands deliver audio experiences in compact form factors. The Status Pro X showcases what becomes possible when driver technology meets thoughtful product design, creating an audio experience that reveals all the nuances and details of music that conventional earbuds cannot reproduce.

The dual BA configuration suggests that Status Audio has dedicated one driver to midrange frequencies and another to treble, allowing for more specialized tuning of each frequency band. The dual BA configuration provides the headroom necessary to achieve this extended treble response without distortion, something that single dynamic drivers often struggle to accomplish.

The balanced armature drivers provide the precision needed for critical listening while maintaining the efficiency required for extended battery life. The sophisticated acoustic system creates a frequency response that captures both subtle sonic textures and dynamic range that single-driver designs cannot achieve. This technical approach showcases the advantages of hybrid driver configurations in true wireless products. The engineering allows for precise control over different frequency ranges while maintaining the compact size requirements of modern earbuds.

Size Reduction and Market Positioning

Knowles BA drivers enable unprecedented sound performance for their size, allowing Status Audio to create an earbud that is 21 percent smaller than its previous model without compromising sound quality, frequency range, or battery life. The high sensitivity of Knowles BAs also facilitates improved hearing personalization while maximizing power efficiency. This combination of size reduction and performance enhancement addresses key consumer demands in the competitive earbud market. The miniaturization achievement demonstrates how advanced driver technology can overcome traditional limitations in portable audio devices.

James Bertuzzi, Status Audio CEO, explained that when designing the Pro X, they needed a technology partner that could help them deliver on their promise of uncompromising audio quality in a more compact form. Knowles BA drivers were the clear choice, allowing them to achieve frequency response and detail that would be impossible with conventional dynamic drivers alone. The combination results in a listening experience that differentiates the Pro X in today’s crowded earbud market.

The Status Pro X earbuds are available for pre-order now, with shipping beginning in early September. The partnership enables Status Audio to compete with established brands while maintaining their commitment to accessible high-quality audio. The Status Pro X represents a significant milestone in the collaboration between component manufacturers and consumer audio brands, demonstrating how specialized technology can enhance the end-user experience in competitive markets.

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LG StanbyME 2 features detachable 27-inch QHD display on wheels loaded with Dolby audio and visuals

You can expect tablet-level versatility from your TV when LG is involved. The South Korean electronics giant previously demonstrated this with the Go model of its wireless StandbyME, which came in a carry case and was designed for outdoor use. Now making its global debut, the new StanbyME 2 offers even greater flexibility. The device is fully detachable from its movable docking stand, allowing it to function as a tablet, hang on a wall as a digital clock, or serve as an ambient display. And if that’s not fun enough, you could even pack the damn thing in the boot of your vehicle and take it camping or to a family picnic.

But it’s not just the portability and multi-orientation abilities that have changed with the StanbyME 2. The new model features an upgraded resolution and enhanced options for customizing audio, visuals, and controls, which can be tailored to users’ personal preferences and diverse media consumption needs, based on the environment it’s being used in.

Designer: LG

The portability of the StandbyME 2 is made possible by a built-in battery, which provides up to four hours of video playback on a full charge. The battery can be charged by docking the display to the stand and using USB-C. With no need for a constant power source, LG’s new display is convenient for both indoor and outdoor use. Like the original StandbyME, the StandbyME 2 comes mounted on a wheeled docking stand for easy mobility. The device can be detached from its base with a single click to be used independently for binge-watching shows, playing board games, or setting up at your creative workspace.

The StanbyME 2 is not a small device. It features a 27-inch QHD display with a native resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels. Interestingly, it offers a dedicated 60Hz refresh rate – don’t bother gaming if you were thinking – but of course, you can find many other practical uses for the detachable screen. If you don’t want to use it as a large display tablet, you can use its built-in strap to get it up on the wall, where it’s your photo frame in disguise.

Of course, it’s portable, but the StanbyME 2 measures 623 × 364 × 28.5 mm and weighs 4.3 kg without the stand. So, it’s no kid’s play to fiddle with it or even think of detaching and moving it around. With the stand included, the display weighs 15.2 kg. The device is powered by LG’s α8 AI processor, runs WebOS 24, and supports voice control. The gadget is not dust and water-resistant, and it is advised to be placed away from direct sunlight.

Courtesy of the AI processor, the device can adjust brightness and tone based on ambient lighting. The 10W side-firing speakers (change output automatically based on the screen orientation) support Dolby Atmos and AI Sound Pro for virtual 9.1.2 surround sound. Clear Voice Pro feature helps enhance speech clarity on the device, Dolby Vision delivers cinematic visuals, while Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 5, HDMI with eARC, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, and a 5V USB port take care of the connectivity. Scheduled to start shipping in the US later this month for $1,400, the StanbyME 2 includes LG ThinQ, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Google Home integration.

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Samsung Removed the Galaxy Z Fold7 S Pen, and This Stylus Lover Agrees

Samsung just took the covers off the Galaxy Z Fold7, and it represents the biggest change in the foldable flagship since the Galaxy Z Fold3 introduced S Pen support in 2021 and the Galaxy Z Fold5’s new hinge in 2023 that allowed it to close completely flat. This year’s highlights include the thinnest Galaxy Z Fold yet, better durability, larger screens, and, finally, upgraded cameras. It’s not all good news, of course, like the bulging camera bump, but perhaps the change that sent waves across the Internet was the removal of S Pen support.

I have been a great fan of pen-enabled devices, seeing them as the near-perfect fusion of digital and analog worlds, particularly when it comes to drawing and note-taking. Samsung was one of the first few tech companies that embraced this, from the Galaxy Note phones and tablets to the old Samsung ATIV PC line. Although styluses, both active and capacitive, aren’t that rare anymore (thank you Apple Pencil), Samsung remains part of a small group that uses the famed Wacom’s technologies for its smartphones and tablets. Despite my self-professed obsession with the stylus, I think Samsung made the right call in removing it from the Galaxy Z Fold7, but I don’t think the story ends here either.

Designer: Samsung

Why Samsung Removed The Z Fold7 S Pen

Imagine whipping out your smartphone, unfolding it into a tablet, and immediately sketching inspiration or jotting down ideas the instant inspiration strikes. It’s almost like pulling out a paper sketchbook or pocket notebook but with the advantage of apps and the cloud. It’s one of the advertised features of Samsung foldables since the Galaxy Z Fold3 and a dream come true for digital creators. Except, it turns out, very few actually use these devices that way.

The Web, especially YouTube, is filled with anecdotes and examples of artists, designers, and even architects using tablets for their work, but not so much on foldables. Yes, there are very few pen-enabled foldable phones in the market, but there are even fewer voices showing how they use these devices for those very specific purposes. Reading, watching, or even typing, are all covered, but drawing with a stylus and handwritten notes are almost always limited to one-time reviews and demos.

It’s not that the stylus use case is invalid but because, at least at this point in time, consumers have bigger concerns about foldables than where to store the S Pen (more on that later). They are more interested in how thin the phone is when folded, how usable it is as a phone, and, more importantly, how durable that fragile flexible main screen is. As it happens, those are exactly the things that Samsung addressed in the Galaxy Z Fold7, choosing to focus on what people need here and now, while still keeping the doors open for the return of the pen.

Why The S Pen Fold Edition Didn’t Work

Popularity wasn’t the biggest problem of the S Pen for the Galaxy Z Fold. Quite the contrary, it was the symptom, not the cause. The reasons why even die-hard stylus users shy away from the accessory’s foldable version can probably be boiled down to two things: confidence and convenience.

Let’s face it: even with all the marketing and figures, even foldable owners are still a little bit wary of the durability of the foldable inner screen. It tends to be a little softer than a regular phone screen, and poking it with a stylus or pressing down hard on it might cause some to worry. The technology is getting better, of course, but not yet to the point of completely dispelling fears.

There’s also the design of the foldable phone itself, which leaves no room for the stylus unless you don the right case. Tablets have it easy with a large body that can be used to magnetically hold and charge their stylus, but not so much a device that folds down to the size of a pocketable phone. Not unless you have a silo like on the Galaxy S Ultra, but then you’d be going back to the problem of thickness.

There’s also the matter of awkwardness when using the foldable phone as a digital canvas because of its almost square aspect ratio. An iPad mini with the same screen size has a larger surface area and a more rectangular shape that matches paper and notebooks more closely. It’s definitely a minor gripe, but one that gnaws at the creator’s subconscious little by little.

One Chapter Closes, The Next Is Yet To Be Written

To some extent, the removal of S Pen functionality from this year’s flagship foldable definitely feels like a huge loss, but I don’t think the story ends there completely. There are still plenty of ways that foldables can be improved that would allow the triumphant return of the stylus. Samsung does seem to be moving in that direction, though it’s not yet clear when all the pieces will fall into place.

For one, there’s the tri-fold device that Samsung will be unveiling later this year. That will help solve the awkward feeling of scribbling on a square display since it will give you a regular tablet-shaped screen to work with. Whether the “G Fold” will actually come with S Pen support or not is still uncertain, but given the Galaxy Z Fold7, I’m leaning more towards a “no” for now.

Samsung is also rumored to be working on a new stylus technology that is more like the Apple Pencil or Microsoft’s Surface Pen. That means using a stylus that requires a battery in order to remove the need for a digitizer layer underneath the screen. This digitizer is one of the reasons for the thickness of previous Z Fold models, and its removal helped trim down the Galaxy Z Fold7’s size a lot. Of course, this also means no longer using Wacom technology, but that might be a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Such a technology would also mean that Samsung will be able to continue improving the durability of a foldable screen with better Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG). That, in turn, helps give confidence that every press and stroke won’t take the foldable phone closer to its demise.

The Big Question: Galaxy Z Fold7, Skip or Buy?

Setting aside the awkward, bulging camera bump for a moment, the answer is rather a simple one. If the stylus has never captured your fancy, then the Galaxy Z Fold7 represents the best of Samsung’s foldable design and technology. It’s super slim, more usable as a phone when folded, and can take better pictures. It’s still catching up to some of its rivals, especially in the photography department, but it’s encouraging to see some bold choices being made, even if it meant taking out one key feature.

For those who buy Samsung foldables for the stylus experience, the answer is even easier: no. Stick to the Galaxy Z Fold6, which is a decent device on its own, and wait for the next chapter in the story of the Galaxy Z Fold to be written. It’s exciting to finally see some movement from Samsung in this space, and hopefully, all the signs pointing in that direction will come to pass.

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