chore(fromat): formatting code

* chore: List lerobot_rewardmodel_modelcard_template.md in MANIFEST.in

* chore: export SARMConfig, SARMRewardModel, and make_sarm_pre_post_processors from rewards.sarm.

.github/workflows/documentation-upload-pr.yml

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ jobs:
       github.event.workflow_run.event == 'pull_request' &&
       github.event.workflow_run.conclusion == 'success' &&
       github.repository == 'huggingface/lerobot'
-    uses: huggingface/doc-builder/.github/workflows/upload_pr_documentation.yml@9ad2de8582b56c017cb530c1165116d40433f1c6  # main
+    uses: huggingface/doc-builder/.github/workflows/upload_pr_documentation.yml@2430c1ec91d04667414e2fa31ecfc36c153ea391  # main
     with:
       package_name: lerobot
     secrets:

.github/workflows/documentation.yml

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ jobs:
       github.repository == 'huggingface/lerobot'
     permissions:
       contents: read
-    uses: huggingface/doc-builder/.github/workflows/build_main_documentation.yml@90b4ee2c10b81b5c1a6367c4e6fc9e2fb510a7e3  # main
+    uses: huggingface/doc-builder/.github/workflows/build_main_documentation.yml@2430c1ec91d04667414e2fa31ecfc36c153ea391  # main
     with:
       commit_sha: ${{ github.sha }}
       package: lerobot
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ jobs:
     permissions:
       contents: read
       pull-requests: write
-    uses: huggingface/doc-builder/.github/workflows/build_pr_documentation.yml@90b4ee2c10b81b5c1a6367c4e6fc9e2fb510a7e3  # main
+    uses: huggingface/doc-builder/.github/workflows/build_pr_documentation.yml@2430c1ec91d04667414e2fa31ecfc36c153ea391  # main
     with:
       commit_sha: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.sha }}
       pr_number: ${{ github.event.number }}

AGENTS.md

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 This file provides guidance to AI agents when working with code in this repository.
 
+> **User-facing help → [`AGENT_GUIDE.md`](./AGENT_GUIDE.md)** (SO-101 setup, recording, picking a policy, training duration, eval — with copy-pasteable commands).
+
 ## Project Overview
 
 LeRobot is a PyTorch-based library for real-world robotics, providing datasets, pretrained policies, and tools for training, evaluation, data collection, and robot control. It integrates with Hugging Face Hub for model/dataset sharing.

AGENT_GUIDE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,410 @@
+# AGENT_GUIDE.md — LeRobot Helper for AI Agents & Users
+
+This file is a practical, copy-paste-friendly companion for any AI agent (Cursor, Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, etc.) helping a user work with LeRobot. It complements [`AGENTS.md`](./AGENTS.md) (dev/contributor context) with **user-facing guidance**: how to start, what to train, how long, how to record, and how to calibrate an SO-101.
+
+---
+
+## 1. Start here — ask the user first (MANDATORY)
+
+Before suggesting any command, an agent MUST ask the user at least these questions and wait for answers:
+
+1. **What's your goal?** (e.g. "teach my SO-101 to fold a cloth", "train a policy on an existing HF dataset", "contribute a PR", "understand the codebase")
+2. **What hardware do you have?**
+   - Robot: none / SO-100 / SO-101 / Koch / LeKiwi / Reachy / other
+   - Teleop: leader arm / phone / keyboard / gamepad / none
+   - Cameras: how many, resolution, fixed or moving?
+3. **What machine will you train on?**
+   - GPU model + VRAM (e.g. "laptop 3060 6 GB", "RTX 4090 24 GB", "A100 80 GB", "CPU only")
+   - OS: macOS / Linux / Windows
+4. **Skill level & time budget?** First time, some ML, experienced? Hours, days, a weekend?
+5. **Do you already have a dataset?** Yes (HF repo id?) / no / want to record one
+6. **How can I help right now?** (pick one concrete next step)
+
+Only after you have answers, propose a concrete path. If something is ambiguous, ask again rather than guessing. Bias toward **the simplest thing that works** for the user's hardware and goal.
+
+---
+
+## 2. LeRobot in 60 seconds
+
+LeRobot = **datasets + policies + envs + robot control**, unified by a small set of strong abstractions.
+
+- **`LeRobotDataset`** — episode-aware dataset (video or images + actions + state), loadable from the Hub or disk.
+- **Policies** (`ACT`, `Diffusion`, `SmolVLA`, `π0`, `π0.5`, `Wall-X`, `X-VLA`, `VQ-BeT`, `TD-MPC`, …) — all inherit `PreTrainedPolicy` and can be pushed/pulled from the Hub.
+- **Processors** — small composable transforms between dataset → policy → robot.
+- **Envs** (sim) and **Robots** (real) — same action/observation contract so code swaps cleanly.
+- **CLI** — `lerobot-record`, `lerobot-train`, `lerobot-eval`, `lerobot-teleoperate`, `lerobot-calibrate`, `lerobot-find-port`, `lerobot-setup-motors`, `lerobot-replay`.
+
+See [`AGENTS.md`](./AGENTS.md) for repo architecture.
+
+---
+
+## 3. Quickstart paths (pick one)
+
+### Path A — "I have an SO-101 and want my first trained policy"
+
+Go to §4 (SO-101 end-to-end), then §5 (data tips), then §6 (pick a policy — likely **ACT**), then §7 (how long), then §8 (eval).
+
+### Path B — "No hardware, I want to train on an existing dataset"
+
+Skip §4. Pick a policy in §6, pick a duration in §7, then run `lerobot-train` per §4.9 with a Hub `--dataset.repo_id` and an `--env.type` for eval. Finish with §8.
+
+### Path C — "I just want to understand the codebase"
+
+Read §2 above, then `AGENTS.md` "Architecture", then open `src/lerobot/policies/act/` and `src/lerobot/datasets/lerobot_dataset.py` as canonical examples.
+
+---
+
+## 4. SO-101 end-to-end cheat-sheet
+
+Full details in [`docs/source/so101.mdx`](./docs/source/so101.mdx) and [`docs/source/il_robots.mdx`](./docs/source/il_robots.mdx). Minimum commands in order. Confirm arms are assembled + powered before issuing.
+
+**4.1 Install**
+
+```bash
+pip install 'lerobot[feetech]'              # SO-100/SO-101 motor stack
+# pip install 'lerobot[all]'                # everything
+# pip install 'lerobot[aloha,pusht]'        # specific features
+# pip install 'lerobot[smolvla]'            # add SmolVLA deps
+git lfs install && git lfs pull
+hf auth login                               # required to push datasets/policies
+```
+
+Contributors can alternatively use `uv sync --locked --extra feetech` (see `AGENTS.md`).
+
+**4.2 Find USB ports** — run once per arm, unplug when prompted.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-find-port
+```
+
+macOS: `/dev/tty.usbmodem...`; Linux: `/dev/ttyACM0` (may need `sudo chmod 666 /dev/ttyACM0`).
+
+**4.3 Setup motor IDs & baudrate** (one-time, per arm)
+
+```bash
+lerobot-setup-motors --robot.type=so101_follower --robot.port=<FOLLOWER_PORT>
+lerobot-setup-motors --teleop.type=so101_leader  --teleop.port=<LEADER_PORT>
+```
+
+**4.4 Calibrate** — center all joints, press Enter, sweep each joint through its full range. The `id` is the calibration key — reuse it everywhere.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-calibrate --robot.type=so101_follower --robot.port=<FOLLOWER_PORT> --robot.id=my_follower
+lerobot-calibrate --teleop.type=so101_leader  --teleop.port=<LEADER_PORT>   --teleop.id=my_leader
+```
+
+**4.5 Teleoperate** (sanity check, no recording)
+
+```bash
+lerobot-teleoperate \
+  --robot.type=so101_follower --robot.port=<FOLLOWER_PORT> --robot.id=my_follower \
+  --teleop.type=so101_leader  --teleop.port=<LEADER_PORT>  --teleop.id=my_leader \
+  --robot.cameras="{ front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+  --display_data=true
+```
+
+> **Feetech timeout / comms error on SO-100 / SO-101?** Before touching software, check the **red motor LEDs** on the daisy chain.
+>
+> - **All steady red, gripper → base chain** → wiring OK.
+> - **One or more motors dark / chain stops mid-way** → wiring issue: reseat the 3-pin cables, check the controller-board power supply, and make sure each motor is fully clicked in.
+> - **LEDs blinking** → the motor is in an **error state**: usually overload (forcing a joint past its limit) **or wrong power supply voltage**. SO-100 / SO-101 ship in two variants — a **5 V / 7.4 V** build and a **12 V** build — they are NOT interchangeable. Using a 12 V PSU on a 5 V / 7.4 V arm (or vice-versa) will trip this error; confirm your motor variant before powering up.
+>
+> Most "timeout" errors are physical, not code.
+
+**4.6 Record a dataset** — keys: **→** next, **←** redo, **ESC** finish & upload.
+
+```bash
+HF_USER=$(NO_COLOR=1 hf auth whoami | awk -F': *' 'NR==1 {print $2}')
+
+lerobot-record \
+  --robot.type=so101_follower --robot.port=<FOLLOWER_PORT> --robot.id=my_follower \
+  --teleop.type=so101_leader  --teleop.port=<LEADER_PORT>  --teleop.id=my_leader \
+  --robot.cameras="{ front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+  --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/my_task \
+  --dataset.single_task="<describe the task in one sentence>" \
+  --dataset.num_episodes=50 \
+  --dataset.episode_time_s=30 \
+  --dataset.reset_time_s=10 \
+  --display_data=true
+```
+
+**4.7 Visualize** — **always** do this before training. Look for missing frames, camera blur, unreachable targets, inconsistent object positions.
+After upload: https://huggingface.co/spaces/lerobot/visualize_dataset → paste `${HF_USER}/my_task`. Works for **any LeRobot-formatted Hub dataset** — use it to scout other datasets, inspect episode quality, or debug your own data before retraining.
+
+**4.8 Replay an episode** (sanity check)
+
+```bash
+lerobot-replay --robot.type=so101_follower --robot.port=<FOLLOWER_PORT> --robot.id=my_follower \
+  --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/my_task --dataset.episode=0
+```
+
+**4.9 Train** (default: ACT — fastest, lowest memory). Apple silicon: `--policy.device=mps`. See §6/§7 for policy and duration.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-train \
+  --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/my_task \
+  --policy.type=act \
+  --policy.device=cuda \
+  --output_dir=outputs/train/act_my_task \
+  --job_name=act_my_task \
+  --batch_size=8 \
+  --wandb.enable=true \
+  --policy.repo_id=${HF_USER}/act_my_task
+```
+
+**4.10 Evaluate on the real robot** — compare success rate to a teleoperated baseline.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-record \
+  --robot.type=so101_follower --robot.port=<FOLLOWER_PORT> --robot.id=my_follower \
+  --robot.cameras="{ front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+  --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/eval_my_task \
+  --dataset.single_task="<same task description as training>" \
+  --dataset.num_episodes=10 \
+  --policy.path=${HF_USER}/act_my_task
+```
+
+---
+
+## 5. Data collection tips (beginner → reliable policy)
+
+Good data beats clever models. Adopt these defaults and deviate only with evidence.
+
+### 5.1 Setup & ergonomics
+
+- **Fix the rig and cameras** before touching the software. If the rig vibrates or the operator gets frustrated, fix that first — more bad data won't help.
+- **Lighting matters more than resolution.** Diffuse, consistent light. Avoid moving shadows.
+- **"Can you do the task from the camera view alone?"** If no, your cameras are wrong. Fix before recording.
+- Enable **action interpolation** for rollouts when available for smoother trajectories.
+
+### 5.2 Practice before you record
+
+- Do 5–10 demos without recording. Build a deliberate, repeatable strategy.
+- Hesitant or inconsistent demos teach the model hesitation.
+
+### 5.3 Quality over speed
+
+Deliberate, high-quality execution beats fast sloppy runs. Optimize for speed only **after** strategy is dialed in — never trade quality for it.
+
+### 5.4 Consistency within and across episodes
+
+Same grasp, approach vector, and timing. Coherent strategies are much easier to learn than wildly varying movements.
+
+### 5.5 Start small, then extend (the golden rule)
+
+- **First 50 episodes = constrained version** of the task: one object, fixed position, fixed camera setup, one operator.
+- Train a quick ACT model. See what fails.
+- **Then add diversity** along one axis at a time: more positions → more lighting → more objects → more operators.
+- Don't try to collect the "perfect dataset" on day one. Iterate.
+
+### 5.6 Policy choice for beginners
+
+- **Laptop / first time / want results fast → ACT.** Works surprisingly well, trains fast even on a laptop GPU.
+- **Bigger GPU / language-conditioned / multi-task → SmolVLA.** Unfreezing the vision encoder (see §7) is a big win here.
+- Defer π0 / π0.5 / Wall-X / X-VLA until you have a proven ACT baseline and a 20+ GB GPU.
+
+### 5.7 Recommended defaults for your first task
+
+| Setting          | Value                                                                                                                                                 |
+| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| Episodes         | **50** to start, scale to 100–300 after first training                                                                                                |
+| Episode length   | 20–45 s (shorter is fine for grasp/place)                                                                                                             |
+| Reset time       | 10 s                                                                                                                                                  |
+| FPS              | 30                                                                                                                                                    |
+| Cameras          | **2 cameras recommended**: 1 fixed front + 1 wrist. Multi-view often outperforms single-view. A single fixed camera also works to keep things simple. |
+| Task description | Short, specific, action-phrased sentence                                                                                                              |
+
+### 5.8 Troubleshooting signal
+
+- Policy fails at one specific stage → record 10–20 more episodes **targeting that stage**.
+- Policy flaps / oscillates → likely inconsistent demos, or need more training; re-record worst episodes (use **←** to redo).
+- Policy ignores the object → camera framing or lighting issue, not a model issue.
+
+See also: [What makes a good dataset](https://huggingface.co/blog/lerobot-datasets#what-makes-a-good-dataset).
+
+---
+
+## 6. Which policy should I train?
+
+Match the policy to the user's **GPU memory** and **time budget**. Numbers below come from an internal profiling run (one training update per policy). They are **indicative only** — see caveats.
+
+### 6.1 Profiling snapshot (indicative)
+
+All policies typically train for **5–10 epochs** (see §7).
+
+| Policy      | Batch | Update (ms) | Peak GPU mem (GB) | Best for                                                                                         |
+| ----------- | ----: | ----------: | ----------------: | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
+| `act`       |     4 |    **83.9** |          **0.94** | First-time users, laptops, single-task. Fast and reliable.                                       |
+| `diffusion` |     4 |       168.6 |              4.94 | Multi-modal action distributions; needs mid-range GPU.                                           |
+| `smolvla`   |     1 |       357.8 |              3.93 | Language-conditioned, multi-task, small VLA. **Unfreeze vision encoder for big gains** (see §7). |
+| `xvla`      |     1 |       731.6 |             15.52 | Large VLA, multi-task.                                                                           |
+| `wall_x`    |     1 |       716.5 |             15.95 | Large VLA with world-model objective.                                                            |
+| `pi0`       |     1 |       940.3 |             15.50 | Strong large VLA baseline (Physical Intelligence).                                               |
+| `pi05`      |     1 |      1055.8 |             16.35 | Newer π policy; similar footprint to `pi0`.                                                      |
+
+**Critical caveats:**
+
+- **Optimizer:** measured with **SGD**. LeRobot's default is **AdamW**, which keeps extra optimizer state → **peak memory will be noticeably higher** with the default, especially for `pi0`, `pi05`, `wall_x`, `xvla`.
+- **Batch size:** the large policies were profiled at batch 1. In practice use a **larger batch** for stable training (see §7.4). Memory scales roughly linearly with batch.
+
+### 6.2 Decision rules
+
+- **< 8 GB VRAM (laptop, 3060, M-series Mac):** → `act`. Maybe `diffusion` if you have ~6–8 GB free.
+- **12–16 GB VRAM (4070/4080, A4000):** → `smolvla` with defaults, or `act`/`diffusion` with larger batch. `pi0`/`pi05`/`wall_x`/`xvla` feasible only with small batch + gradient accumulation.
+- **24+ GB VRAM (3090/4090/A5000):** → any policy. Prefer `smolvla` (unfrozen) for multi-task; `act` for single-task grasp-and-place (still often the best ROI). Could experiment with `pi0` or `pi05` or `xvla`
+- **80 GB (A100/H100):** → any, with healthy batch. `pi05`, `xvla`, `wall_x` become comfortable.
+- **CPU only:** → don't train here. Use Google Colab (see [`docs/source/notebooks.mdx`](./docs/source/notebooks.mdx)) or a rented GPU.
+
+---
+
+## 7. How long should I train?
+
+Robotics imitation learning usually converges in a **few epochs over the dataset**, not hundreds of thousands of raw steps. Think **epochs first**, then translate to steps.
+
+### 7.1 Rule of thumb
+
+- **Typical total: 5–10 epochs.** Start at 5, eval, then decide if more helps.
+- Very small datasets (< 30 episodes) may want slightly more epochs — but first, **collect more data**.
+- VLAs with a pretrained vision backbone typically need **fewer** epochs than training from scratch.
+
+### 7.2 Steps ↔ epochs conversion
+
+```
+total_frames     = sum of frames over all episodes      # e.g. 50 eps × 30 fps × 30 s ≈ 45,000
+steps_per_epoch  = ceil(total_frames / batch_size)
+total_steps      = epochs × steps_per_epoch
+```
+
+Examples for `--batch_size=8`:
+
+| Dataset size            |  Frames | Steps / epoch | 5 epochs | 10 epochs |
+| ----------------------- | ------: | ------------: | -------: | --------: |
+| 50 eps × 30 s @ 30 fps  |  45,000 |        ~5,625 |      28k |       56k |
+| 100 eps × 30 s @ 30 fps |  90,000 |       ~11,250 |      56k |      113k |
+| 300 eps × 30 s @ 30 fps | 270,000 |       ~33,750 |     169k |      338k |
+
+Pass the resulting total with `--steps=<N>`; eval at intermediate checkpoints (`outputs/train/.../checkpoints/`).
+
+### 7.3 Per-policy starting points (single-task, ~50 episodes)
+
+| Policy         | Batch | Steps (first run) | Notes                                                             |
+| -------------- | ----: | ----------------: | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `act`          |  8–16 |           30k–80k | Usually converges under 50k for single-task.                      |
+| `diffusion`    |  8–16 |          80k–150k | Benefits from longer training than ACT.                           |
+| `smolvla`      |   4–8 |           30k–80k | Pretrained VLM → converges fast.                                  |
+| `pi0` / `pi05` |   1–4 |           30k–80k | Memory-bound; use gradient accumulation for effective batch ≥ 16! |
+
+### 7.4 Batch size guidance
+
+- **Bigger batch is preferable** for stable gradients on teleop data.
+- If GPU memory is the bottleneck, use **gradient accumulation** to raise _effective_ batch without raising peak memory.
+- Scale **learning rate** gently with batch; most LeRobot defaults work fine for a 2–4× batch change.
+
+### 7.5 Scale LR schedule & checkpoints with `--steps`
+
+LeRobot's default schedulers (e.g. SmolVLA's cosine decay) use `scheduler_decay_steps=30_000`, which is sized for long training runs. When you shorten training (e.g. 5k–10k steps on a small dataset), **scale the scheduler down to match** — otherwise the LR stays near the peak and never decays. Same for checkpoint frequency.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-train ... \
+  --steps=5000 \
+  --policy.scheduler_decay_steps=5000 \
+  --save_freq=5000
+```
+
+Rule of thumb: set `scheduler_decay_steps ≈ steps`, and `save_freq` to whatever granularity you want for eval (e.g. every 1k–5k steps). Match `scheduler_warmup_steps` proportionally if your run is very short.
+
+### 7.6 SmolVLA: unfreeze the vision encoder for real gains
+
+SmolVLA ships with `freeze_vision_encoder=True`. Unfreezing usually **improves performance substantially** on specialized tasks, at the cost of more VRAM and slower steps. Enable with:
+
+```bash
+lerobot-train ... --policy.type=smolvla \
+  --policy.freeze_vision_encoder=false \
+  --policy.train_expert_only=false
+```
+
+### 7.7 Signals to stop / keep going
+
+- Train loss plateaus → stop, save a Hub checkpoint.
+- Train loss still dropping and you're under 10 epochs → keep going.
+
+---
+
+## 8. Evaluation & benchmarks
+
+Two flavors of evaluation:
+
+### 8.1 Real-robot eval (SO-101, etc.)
+
+Reuse `lerobot-record` with `--policy.path` to run the trained policy on-robot and save the run as an eval dataset. Convention: prefix the dataset with `eval_`.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-record \
+  --robot.type=so101_follower --robot.port=<FOLLOWER_PORT> --robot.id=my_follower \
+  --robot.cameras="{ front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+  --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/eval_my_task \
+  --dataset.single_task="<same task description used during training>" \
+  --dataset.num_episodes=10 \
+  --policy.path=${HF_USER}/act_my_task
+```
+
+Report success rate across episodes. Compare to a teleoperated baseline and to an earlier checkpoint to catch regressions.
+
+### 8.2 Sim-benchmark eval
+
+For policies trained on sim datasets (PushT, Aloha, LIBERO, MetaWorld, RoboCasa, …) use `lerobot-eval` against the matching `env.type`:
+
+```bash
+lerobot-eval \
+  --policy.path=${HF_USER}/diffusion_pusht \
+  --env.type=pusht \
+  --eval.n_episodes=50 \
+  --eval.batch_size=10 \
+  --policy.device=cuda
+```
+
+- Use `--policy.path=outputs/train/.../checkpoints/<step>/pretrained_model` for local checkpoints.
+- `--eval.n_episodes` should be ≥ 50 for a stable success-rate estimate.
+- Available envs live in `src/lerobot/envs/`. See [`docs/source/libero.mdx`](./docs/source/libero.mdx), [`metaworld.mdx`](./docs/source/metaworld.mdx), [`robocasa.mdx`](./docs/source/robocasa.mdx), [`vlabench.mdx`](./docs/source/vlabench.mdx) for specific benchmarks.
+- To add a new benchmark, see [`docs/source/adding_benchmarks.mdx`](./docs/source/adding_benchmarks.mdx) and [`envhub.mdx`](./docs/source/envhub.mdx).
+
+### 8.2b Dockerfiles for benchmark eval
+
+Benchmark envs have native dependencies that are painful to install locally. The repo ships **pre-baked Dockerfiles** for each supported benchmark — use these to run `lerobot-eval` in a reproducible environment:
+
+| Benchmark   | Dockerfile                                                                             |
+| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| LIBERO      | [`docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.libero`](./docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.libero)           |
+| LIBERO+     | [`docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.libero_plus`](./docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.libero_plus) |
+| MetaWorld   | [`docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.metaworld`](./docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.metaworld)     |
+| RoboCasa    | [`docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robocasa`](./docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robocasa)       |
+| RoboCerebra | [`docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robocerebra`](./docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robocerebra) |
+| RoboMME     | [`docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robomme`](./docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robomme)         |
+| RoboTwin    | [`docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robotwin`](./docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robotwin)       |
+| VLABench    | [`docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.vlabench`](./docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.vlabench)       |
+
+Build and run (adapt to your benchmark):
+
+```bash
+docker build -f docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robomme -t lerobot-bench-robomme .
+docker run --gpus all --rm -it \
+  -v $HOME/.cache/huggingface:/root/.cache/huggingface \
+  lerobot-bench-robomme \
+  lerobot-eval --policy.path=<your_policy> --env.type=<env> --eval.n_episodes=50
+```
+
+See [`docker/README.md`](./docker/README.md) for base-image details.
+
+### 8.3 Target success rates
+
+Single-task grasp-and-place with 50 clean episodes: ACT should reach **> 70% success** on the training configuration. Less → data problem (see §5), not model problem. Expect a drop when generalizing to new positions — scale episodes or diversity to recover.
+
+---
+
+## 9. Further reading & resources
+
+- **Getting started:** [`installation.mdx`](./docs/source/installation.mdx) · [`il_robots.mdx`](./docs/source/il_robots.mdx) · [What makes a good dataset](https://huggingface.co/blog/lerobot-datasets)
+- **Per-policy docs:** browse [`docs/source/*.mdx`](./docs/source/) (policies, hardware, benchmarks, advanced training).
+- **Community:** [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/s3KuuzsPFb) · [Hub `LeRobot` tag](https://huggingface.co/datasets?other=LeRobot) · [Dataset visualizer](https://huggingface.co/spaces/lerobot/visualize_dataset)
+
+> Keep this file current. If you learn a rule that would prevent a class of user mistakes, add it here and in [`AGENTS.md`](./AGENTS.md).

MANIFEST.in

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 include src/lerobot/templates/lerobot_modelcard_template.md
+include src/lerobot/templates/lerobot_rewardmodel_modelcard_template.md
 include src/lerobot/datasets/card_template.md
 include src/lerobot/envs/metaworld_config.json

benchmarks/video/run_video_benchmark.py

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ from tqdm import tqdm
 
 from lerobot.datasets.lerobot_dataset import LeRobotDataset
 from lerobot.datasets.video_utils import (
+    VideoEncoderConfig,
     decode_video_frames,
     encode_video_frames,
 )
@@ -251,10 +252,13 @@ def benchmark_encoding_decoding(
             imgs_dir=imgs_dir,
             video_path=video_path,
             fps=fps,
-            vcodec=encoding_cfg["vcodec"],
-            pix_fmt=encoding_cfg["pix_fmt"],
-            g=encoding_cfg.get("g"),
-            crf=encoding_cfg.get("crf"),
+            camera_encoder_config=VideoEncoderConfig(
+                vcodec=encoding_cfg["vcodec"],
+                pix_fmt=encoding_cfg["pix_fmt"],
+                g=encoding_cfg.get("g"),
+                crf=encoding_cfg.get("crf"),
+                preset=encoding_cfg.get("preset"),
+            ),
             # fast_decode=encoding_cfg.get("fastdecode"),
             overwrite=True,
         )

docker/Dockerfile.benchmark.robotwin

@@ -56,11 +56,11 @@ RUN uv pip install --no-cache --no-build-isolation \
         "git+https://github.com/facebookresearch/pytorch3d.git@stable"
 
 # CuRobo — NVlabs motion generator; TORCH_CUDA_ARCH_LIST must be set or the
-# build aborts on an empty arch list. Pinned SHA for reproducibility.
-ARG CUROBO_SHA=ca941586c33b8482ed9c0e74d60f23efd64b516a
+# build aborts on an empty arch list. RoboTwin's own installer pins v0.7.8,
+# which still exposes the v1 API (`curobo.types.math`) that RoboTwin imports.
+ARG CUROBO_REF=v0.7.8
 RUN cd ${ROBOTWIN_ROOT}/envs \
-    && git clone https://github.com/NVlabs/curobo.git \
-    && git -C curobo checkout ${CUROBO_SHA} \
+    && git clone --branch ${CUROBO_REF} --depth 1 https://github.com/NVlabs/curobo.git \
     && cd curobo \
     && TORCH_CUDA_ARCH_LIST="7.0;7.5;8.0;8.6;8.9;9.0" \
        uv pip install -e . --no-build-isolation --no-cache
@@ -111,7 +111,23 @@ EOF
 WORKDIR ${ROBOTWIN_ROOT}
 RUN python script/update_embodiment_config_path.py
 
-ENV PYTHONPATH="${ROBOTWIN_ROOT}:${PYTHONPATH}"
+ENV PYTHONPATH="${ROBOTWIN_ROOT}"
+
+# Fail the image build early if the CuRobo package layout regresses. Importing
+# RoboTwin's planner here is too eager because CuRobo constructs CUDA-backed
+# defaults at import time, while Docker builds don't have access to an NVIDIA
+# driver.
+RUN python - <<'EOF'
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from curobo.types.math import Pose
+
+planner_src = (Path("/opt/robotwin/envs/robot/planner.py")).read_text()
+assert "from curobo.types.math import Pose as CuroboPose" in planner_src
+
+print("CuRobo import OK:", Pose.__name__)
+print("RoboTwin planner import references curobo.types.math")
+EOF
 
 # Return to the lerobot source directory (set by base image) before overlaying.
 WORKDIR /lerobot

docs/source/_toctree.yml

@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@
     title: Using the Dataset Tools
   - local: dataset_subtask
     title: Using Subtasks in the Dataset
+  - local: video_encoding_parameters
+    title: Video encoding parameters
   - local: streaming_video_encoding
     title: Streaming Video Encoding
   title: "Datasets"
@@ -61,6 +63,8 @@
     title: SARM
   title: "Reward Models"
 - sections:
+  - local: inference
+    title: Policy Deployment (lerobot-rollout)
   - local: async
     title: Use Async Inference
   - local: rtc

docs/source/act.mdx

@@ -90,6 +90,6 @@ lerobot-record \
   --dataset.single_task="Your task description" \
   --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
   --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-  # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+  # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
   --policy.path=${HF_USER}/act_policy
 ```

docs/source/earthrover_mini_plus.mdx

@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ lerobot-record \
     --dataset.single_task="Navigate around obstacles" \
     --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
     --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-    # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+    # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
     --display_data=true
 ```
 

docs/source/groot.mdx

@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ lerobot-record \
   --dataset.single_task="Grab and handover the red cube to the other arm" \
   --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
   --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-  # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+  # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
   --policy.path=<user>/groot-bimanual \ # your trained model
   --dataset.episode_time_s=30 \
   --dataset.reset_time_s=10

docs/source/hil_data_collection.mdx

@@ -50,30 +50,30 @@ This process can be repeated iteratively: deploy, collect, fine-tune, repeat. Ea
 
 ### Teleoperator Requirements
 
-The `examples/hil` HIL scripts require **teleoperators with active motors** that can:
+The `lerobot-rollout --strategy.type=dagger` mode requires **teleoperators with active motors** that can:
 
 - Enable/disable torque programmatically
 - Move to target positions (to mirror the robot state when pausing)
 
-**Compatible teleoperators in the current `examples/hil` scripts:**
+**Compatible teleoperators:**
 
 - `openarm_mini` - OpenArm Mini
 - `so_leader` - SO100 / SO101 leader arm
 
 > [!IMPORTANT]
-> The provided `examples/hil` commands default to `bi_openarm_follower` + `openarm_mini`.
+> The provided commands default to `bi_openarm_follower` + `openarm_mini`.
 > `so_follower` + `so_leader` configs are also registered and can be used via CLI flags.
 
 ---
 
 ## Script
 
-A single script handles both synchronous and RTC-based inference. Toggle RTC with `--rtc.enabled=true`:
+Use `lerobot-rollout` with `--strategy.type=dagger` for HIL data collection. Select the inference backend with `--inference.type=sync|rtc`:
 
-| Mode                     | Flag                 | Models                |
-| ------------------------ | -------------------- | --------------------- |
-| Standard (default)       | _(no flag needed)_   | ACT, Diffusion Policy |
-| Real-Time Chunking (RTC) | `--rtc.enabled=true` | Pi0, Pi0.5, SmolVLA   |
+| Mode                     | Flag                   | Models                |
+| ------------------------ | ---------------------- | --------------------- |
+| Standard (default)       | _(no flag needed)_     | ACT, Diffusion Policy |
+| Real-Time Chunking (RTC) | `--inference.type=rtc` | Pi0, Pi0.5, SmolVLA   |
 
 ---
 
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ python src/lerobot/scripts/lerobot_train.py \
 **Standard inference (ACT, Diffusion Policy):**
 
 ```bash
-python examples/hil/hil_data_collection.py \
+lerobot-rollout --strategy.type=dagger \
     --robot.type=bi_openarm_follower \
     --robot.left_arm_config.port=can1 \
     --robot.left_arm_config.side=left \
@@ -108,11 +108,10 @@ python examples/hil/hil_data_collection.py \
     --teleop.port_left=/dev/ttyACM0 \
     --teleop.port_right=/dev/ttyACM1 \
     --policy.path=outputs/pretrain/checkpoints/last/pretrained_model \
-    --dataset.repo_id=your-username/hil-dataset \
+    --dataset.repo_id=your-username/rollout_hil_dataset \
     --dataset.single_task="Fold the T-shirt properly" \
     --dataset.fps=30 \
-    --dataset.episode_time_s=1000 \
-    --dataset.num_episodes=50 \
+    --strategy.num_episodes=50 \
     --interpolation_multiplier=2
 ```
 
@@ -121,11 +120,11 @@ python examples/hil/hil_data_collection.py \
 For models with high inference latency, enable RTC for smooth execution:
 
 ```bash
-python examples/hil/hil_data_collection.py \
-    --rtc.enabled=true \
-    --rtc.execution_horizon=20 \
-    --rtc.max_guidance_weight=5.0 \
-    --rtc.prefix_attention_schedule=LINEAR \
+lerobot-rollout --strategy.type=dagger \
+    --inference.type=rtc \
+    --inference.rtc.execution_horizon=20 \
+    --inference.rtc.max_guidance_weight=5.0 \
+    --inference.rtc.prefix_attention_schedule=LINEAR \
     --robot.type=bi_openarm_follower \
     --robot.left_arm_config.port=can1 \
     --robot.left_arm_config.side=left \
@@ -136,11 +135,10 @@ python examples/hil/hil_data_collection.py \
     --teleop.port_left=/dev/ttyACM0 \
     --teleop.port_right=/dev/ttyACM1 \
     --policy.path=outputs/pretrain/checkpoints/last/pretrained_model \
-    --dataset.repo_id=your-username/hil-rtc-dataset \
+    --dataset.repo_id=your-username/rollout_hil_rtc_dataset \
     --dataset.single_task="Fold the T-shirt properly" \
     --dataset.fps=30 \
-    --dataset.episode_time_s=1000 \
-    --dataset.num_episodes=50 \
+    --strategy.num_episodes=50 \
     --interpolation_multiplier=3
 ```
 
@@ -235,7 +233,7 @@ This HIL data collection approach builds on ideas from interactive imitation lea
 
 - **HG-DAgger** (Kelly et al., 2019) made this practical for robotics: a human expert monitors the robot and only intervenes when needed, rather than labeling every state. The gating between autonomous and human control is exactly the pause → takeover → return-to-policy loop used in the scripts here.
 
-- **RaC** (Hu et al., 2025) scales this loop to long-horizon tasks by explicitly decomposing interventions into **recovery** (teleoperating back to a good state) and **correction** (demonstrating the right behavior from there). This decomposition is the protocol followed by the HIL scripts in `examples/hil`.
+- **RaC** (Hu et al., 2025) scales this loop to long-horizon tasks by explicitly decomposing interventions into **recovery** (teleoperating back to a good state) and **correction** (demonstrating the right behavior from there). This decomposition is the protocol followed by the DAgger strategy in `lerobot-rollout`.
 
 - **π0.6/RECAP** (Physical Intelligence, 2025) applies the same iterative collect-and-finetune loop at scale with VLA models, showing that even large pretrained policies benefit substantially from targeted human corrections on their own failure modes. π0.6 is trained using RECAP.
 

docs/source/hope_jr.mdx

@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ lerobot-record \
     --dataset.private=true \
     --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
     --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-    # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+    # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
     --display_data=true
 ```
 
@@ -278,6 +278,6 @@ lerobot-record \
   --dataset.num_episodes=10 \
   --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
   --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-  # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+  # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
   --policy.path=outputs/train/hopejr_hand/checkpoints/last/pretrained_model
 ```

docs/source/il_robots.mdx

@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ lerobot-record \
     --dataset.num_episodes=5 \
     --dataset.single_task="Grab the black cube" \
     --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
-    # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+    # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
     --dataset.encoder_threads=2
 ```
 </hfoption>
@@ -509,121 +509,42 @@ hf upload ${HF_USER}/act_so101_test${CKPT} \
 
 ## Run inference and evaluate your policy
 
-You can use the `record` script from [`lerobot-record`](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot/blob/main/src/lerobot/scripts/lerobot_record.py) with a policy checkpoint as input, to run inference and evaluate your policy. For instance, run this command or API example to run inference and record 10 evaluation episodes:
+Use `lerobot-rollout` to deploy a trained policy on your robot. You can choose different strategies depending on your needs:
 
 <hfoptions id="eval">
-<hfoption id="Command">
+<hfoption id="Base mode (no recording)">
 ```bash
-lerobot-record  \
+lerobot-rollout \
+  --strategy.type=base \
+  --policy.path=${HF_USER}/my_policy \
   --robot.type=so100_follower \
   --robot.port=/dev/ttyACM1 \
   --robot.cameras="{ up: {type: opencv, index_or_path: /dev/video10, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}, side: {type: intelrealsense, serial_number_or_name: 233522074606, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
-  --robot.id=my_awesome_follower_arm \
-  --display_data=false \
-  --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/eval_so100 \
-  --dataset.single_task="Put lego brick into the transparent box" \
-  --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
-  --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-  # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
-  # <- Teleop optional if you want to teleoperate in between episodes \
-  # --teleop.type=so100_leader \
-  # --teleop.port=/dev/ttyACM0 \
-  # --teleop.id=my_awesome_leader_arm \
-  --policy.path=${HF_USER}/my_policy
+  --task="Put lego brick into the transparent box" \
+  --duration=60
 ```
 </hfoption>
-<hfoption id="API example">
-
-<!-- prettier-ignore-start -->
-```python
-from lerobot.cameras.opencv import OpenCVCameraConfig
-from lerobot.datasets import LeRobotDataset
-from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import hw_to_dataset_features
-from lerobot.policies.act import ACTPolicy
-from lerobot.policies import make_pre_post_processors
-from lerobot.robots.so_follower import SO100Follower, SO100FollowerConfig
-from lerobot.scripts.lerobot_record import record_loop
-from lerobot.common.control_utils import init_keyboard_listener
-from lerobot.utils.utils import log_say
-from lerobot.utils.visualization_utils import init_rerun
-
-
-NUM_EPISODES = 5
-FPS = 30
-EPISODE_TIME_SEC = 60
-TASK_DESCRIPTION = "My task description"
-HF_MODEL_ID = "<hf_username>/<model_repo_id>"
-HF_DATASET_ID = "<hf_username>/<eval_dataset_repo_id>"
-
-# Create the robot configuration
-camera_config = {"front": OpenCVCameraConfig(index_or_path=0, width=640, height=480, fps=FPS)}
-robot_config = SO100FollowerConfig(
-    port="/dev/tty.usbmodem58760434471", id="my_awesome_follower_arm", cameras=camera_config
-)
-
-# Initialize the robot
-robot = SO100Follower(robot_config)
-
-# Initialize the policy
-policy = ACTPolicy.from_pretrained(HF_MODEL_ID)
-
-# Configure the dataset features
-action_features = hw_to_dataset_features(robot.action_features, "action")
-obs_features = hw_to_dataset_features(robot.observation_features, "observation")
-dataset_features = {**action_features, **obs_features}
-
-# Create the dataset
-dataset = LeRobotDataset.create(
-    repo_id=HF_DATASET_ID,
-    fps=FPS,
-    features=dataset_features,
-    robot_type=robot.name,
-    use_videos=True,
-    image_writer_threads=4,
-)
-
-# Initialize the keyboard listener and rerun visualization
-_, events = init_keyboard_listener()
-init_rerun(session_name="recording")
-
-# Connect the robot
-robot.connect()
-
-preprocessor, postprocessor = make_pre_post_processors(
-    policy_cfg=policy,
-    pretrained_path=HF_MODEL_ID,
-    dataset_stats=dataset.meta.stats,
-)
-
-for episode_idx in range(NUM_EPISODES):
-    log_say(f"Running inference, recording eval episode {episode_idx + 1} of {NUM_EPISODES}")
-
-    # Run the policy inference loop
-    record_loop(
-        robot=robot,
-        events=events,
-        fps=FPS,
-        policy=policy,
-        preprocessor=preprocessor,
-        postprocessor=postprocessor,
-        dataset=dataset,
-        control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
-        single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
-        display_data=True,
-    )
-
-    dataset.save_episode()
-
-# Clean up
-robot.disconnect()
-dataset.push_to_hub()
+<hfoption id="Sentry mode (with recording)">
+```bash
+lerobot-rollout \
+  --strategy.type=sentry \
+  --strategy.upload_every_n_episodes=5 \
+  --policy.path=${HF_USER}/my_policy \
+  --robot.type=so100_follower \
+  --robot.port=/dev/ttyACM1 \
+  --robot.cameras="{ up: {type: opencv, index_or_path: /dev/video10, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}, side: {type: intelrealsense, serial_number_or_name: 233522074606, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+  --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/eval_so100 \
+  --dataset.single_task="Put lego brick into the transparent box" \
+  --duration=600
 ```
-<!-- prettier-ignore-end -->
-
 </hfoption>
 </hfoptions>
 
-As you can see, it's almost the same command as previously used to record your training dataset. Two things changed:
+The `--strategy.type` flag selects the execution mode:
 
-1. There is an additional `--control.policy.path` argument which indicates the path to your policy checkpoint with (e.g. `outputs/train/eval_act_so101_test/checkpoints/last/pretrained_model`). You can also use the model repository if you uploaded a model checkpoint to the hub (e.g. `${HF_USER}/act_so101_test`).
-2. The name of dataset begins by `eval` to reflect that you are running inference (e.g. `${HF_USER}/eval_act_so101_test`).
+- `base`: Autonomous rollout with no data recording (useful for quick evaluation)
+- `sentry`: Continuous recording with auto-upload (useful for large-scale evaluation)
+- `highlight`: Ring buffer recording with keystroke save (useful for capturing interesting events)
+- `dagger`: Human-in-the-loop data collection (see [HIL Data Collection](./hil_data_collection))
+
+All strategies support `--inference.type=rtc` for smooth execution with slow VLA models (Pi0, Pi0.5, SmolVLA).

docs/source/inference.mdx

@@ -0,0 +1,261 @@
+# Policy Deployment (lerobot-rollout)
+
+`lerobot-rollout` is the single CLI for deploying trained policies on real robots. It supports multiple execution strategies and inference backends, from quick evaluation to continuous recording and human-in-the-loop data collection.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+No extra dependencies are needed beyond your robot and policy extras.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-rollout \
+    --strategy.type=base \
+    --policy.path=lerobot/act_koch_real \
+    --robot.type=koch_follower \
+    --robot.port=/dev/ttyACM0 \
+    --task="pick up cube" \
+    --duration=30
+```
+
+This runs the policy for 30 seconds with no recording.
+
+---
+
+## Strategies
+
+Select a strategy with `--strategy.type=<name>`. Each strategy defines a different control loop with its own recording and interaction semantics.
+
+### Base (`--strategy.type=base`)
+
+Autonomous policy execution with no data recording. Use this for quick evaluation, demos, or when you only need to observe the robot.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-rollout \
+    --strategy.type=base \
+    --policy.path=${HF_USER}/my_policy \
+    --robot.type=so100_follower \
+    --robot.port=/dev/ttyACM0 \
+    --robot.cameras="{ front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+    --task="Put lego brick into the box" \
+    --duration=60
+```
+
+| Flag             | Description                                            |
+| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
+| `--duration`     | Run time in seconds (0 = infinite)                     |
+| `--task`         | Task description passed to the policy                  |
+| `--display_data` | Stream observations/actions to Rerun for visualization |
+
+### Sentry (`--strategy.type=sentry`)
+
+Continuous autonomous recording with periodic upload to the Hugging Face Hub. Episode boundaries are auto-computed from camera resolution and FPS so each saved episode produces a complete video file, keeping uploads efficient.
+
+Policy state (hidden state, RTC queue) persists across episode boundaries: the robot does not reset between episodes.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-rollout \
+    --strategy.type=sentry \
+    --strategy.upload_every_n_episodes=5 \
+    --policy.path=${HF_USER}/my_policy \
+    --robot.type=so100_follower \
+    --robot.port=/dev/ttyACM0 \
+    --robot.cameras="{ front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+    --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/rollout_eval_data \
+    --dataset.single_task="Put lego brick into the box" \
+    --duration=3600
+```
+
+| Flag                                   | Description                                                 |
+| -------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `--strategy.upload_every_n_episodes`   | Push to Hub every N episodes (default: 5)                   |
+| `--strategy.target_video_file_size_mb` | Target video file size for episode rotation (default: auto) |
+| `--dataset.repo_id`                    | **Required.** Hub repository for the recorded dataset       |
+| `--dataset.push_to_hub`                | Whether to push to Hub on teardown (default: true)          |
+
+### Highlight (`--strategy.type=highlight`)
+
+Autonomous rollout with on-demand recording via a memory-bounded ring buffer. The robot runs continuously while the buffer captures the last N seconds of telemetry. Press the save key to flush the buffer and start live recording; press it again to save the episode.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-rollout \
+    --strategy.type=highlight \
+    --strategy.ring_buffer_seconds=30 \
+    --strategy.save_key=s \
+    --strategy.push_key=h \
+    --policy.path=${HF_USER}/my_policy \
+    --robot.type=koch_follower \
+    --robot.port=/dev/ttyACM0 \
+    --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/rollout_highlight_data \
+    --dataset.single_task="Pick up the red cube"
+```
+
+**Keyboard controls:**
+
+| Key                | Action                                                   |
+| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `s` (configurable) | Start recording (flushes buffer) / stop and save episode |
+| `h` (configurable) | Push dataset to Hub                                      |
+| `ESC`              | Stop the session                                         |
+
+| Flag                                   | Description                                    |
+| -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
+| `--strategy.ring_buffer_seconds`       | Duration of buffered telemetry (default: 30)   |
+| `--strategy.ring_buffer_max_memory_mb` | Memory cap for the ring buffer (default: 2048) |
+| `--strategy.save_key`                  | Key to toggle recording (default: `s`)         |
+| `--strategy.push_key`                  | Key to push to Hub (default: `h`)              |
+
+### DAgger (`--strategy.type=dagger`)
+
+Human-in-the-loop data collection. Alternates between autonomous policy execution and human intervention via a teleoperator. Intervention frames are tagged with `intervention=True`. Requires a teleoperator (`--teleop.type`).
+
+See the [Human-In-the-Loop Data Collection](./hil_data_collection) guide for a detailed walkthrough.
+
+**Corrections-only mode** (default): Only human correction windows are recorded. Each correction becomes one episode.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-rollout \
+    --strategy.type=dagger \
+    --strategy.num_episodes=20 \
+    --policy.path=outputs/pretrain/checkpoints/last/pretrained_model \
+    --robot.type=bi_openarm_follower \
+    --teleop.type=openarm_mini \
+    --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/rollout_hil_data \
+    --dataset.single_task="Fold the T-shirt"
+```
+
+**Continuous recording mode** (`--strategy.record_autonomous=true`): Both autonomous and correction frames are recorded with time-based episode rotation (same as Sentry).
+
+```bash
+lerobot-rollout \
+    --strategy.type=dagger \
+    --strategy.record_autonomous=true \
+    --strategy.num_episodes=50 \
+    --policy.path=${HF_USER}/my_policy \
+    --robot.type=so100_follower \
+    --robot.port=/dev/ttyACM0 \
+    --teleop.type=so101_leader \
+    --teleop.port=/dev/ttyACM1 \
+    --dataset.repo_id=${HF_USER}/rollout_dagger_data \
+    --dataset.single_task="Grasp the block"
+```
+
+**Keyboard controls** (default input device):
+
+| Key     | Action                                      |
+| ------- | ------------------------------------------- |
+| `Space` | Pause / resume policy execution             |
+| `Tab`   | Start / stop human correction               |
+| `Enter` | Push dataset to Hub (corrections-only mode) |
+| `ESC`   | Stop the session                            |
+
+Foot pedal input is also supported via `--strategy.input_device=pedal`. Configure pedal codes with `--strategy.pedal.*` flags.
+
+| Flag                                 | Description                                             |
+| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `--strategy.num_episodes`            | Number of correction episodes to record (default: 10)   |
+| `--strategy.record_autonomous`       | Record autonomous frames too (default: false)           |
+| `--strategy.upload_every_n_episodes` | Push to Hub every N episodes (default: 5)               |
+| `--strategy.input_device`            | Input device: `keyboard` or `pedal` (default: keyboard) |
+| `--teleop.type`                      | **Required.** Teleoperator type                         |
+
+---
+
+## Inference Backends
+
+Select a backend with `--inference.type=<name>`. All strategies work with both backends.
+
+### Sync (default)
+
+One policy call per control tick. The main loop blocks until the action is computed.
+
+Works with all policies. No extra flags needed.
+
+### Real-Time Chunking (`--inference.type=rtc`)
+
+A background thread produces action chunks asynchronously. The main control loop polls for the next ready action while the policy computes the next chunk in parallel.
+
+Use RTC with large, slow VLA models (Pi0, Pi0.5, SmolVLA) for smooth, continuous motion despite high inference latency.
+
+```bash
+lerobot-rollout \
+    --strategy.type=base \
+    --inference.type=rtc \
+    --inference.rtc.execution_horizon=10 \
+    --inference.rtc.max_guidance_weight=10.0 \
+    --policy.path=${HF_USER}/pi0_policy \
+    --robot.type=so100_follower \
+    --robot.port=/dev/ttyACM0 \
+    --robot.cameras="{ front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+    --task="Pick up the cube" \
+    --duration=60 \
+    --device=cuda
+```
+
+| Flag                                        | Description                                                    |
+| ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `--inference.rtc.execution_horizon`         | Steps to blend with previous chunk (default: varies by policy) |
+| `--inference.rtc.max_guidance_weight`       | Consistency enforcement strength (default: varies by policy)   |
+| `--inference.rtc.prefix_attention_schedule` | Blend schedule: `LINEAR`, `EXP`, `ONES`, `ZEROS`               |
+| `--inference.queue_threshold`               | Max queue size before backpressure (default: 30)               |
+
+See the [Real-Time Chunking](./rtc) guide for details on tuning RTC parameters.
+
+---
+
+## Common Flags
+
+| Flag                              | Description                                                       | Default |
+| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |
+| `--policy.path`                   | **Required.** HF Hub model ID or local checkpoint path            | --      |
+| `--robot.type`                    | **Required.** Robot type (e.g. `so100_follower`, `koch_follower`) | --      |
+| `--robot.port`                    | Serial port for the robot                                         | --      |
+| `--robot.cameras`                 | Camera configuration (JSON dict)                                  | --      |
+| `--fps`                           | Control loop frequency                                            | 30      |
+| `--duration`                      | Run time in seconds (0 = infinite)                                | 0       |
+| `--device`                        | Torch device (`cpu`, `cuda`, `mps`)                               | auto    |
+| `--task`                          | Task description (used when no dataset is provided)               | --      |
+| `--display_data`                  | Stream telemetry to Rerun visualization                           | false   |
+| `--display_ip` / `--display_port` | Remote Rerun server address                                       | --      |
+| `--interpolation_multiplier`      | Action interpolation factor                                       | 1       |
+| `--use_torch_compile`             | Enable `torch.compile` for inference                              | false   |
+| `--resume`                        | Resume a previous recording session                               | false   |
+| `--play_sounds`                   | Vocal synthesis for events                                        | true    |
+
+---
+
+## Programmatic Usage
+
+For custom deployments (e.g. with kinematics processors), use the rollout module API directly:
+
+```python
+from lerobot.rollout import BaseStrategyConfig, RolloutConfig, build_rollout_context
+from lerobot.rollout.inference import SyncInferenceConfig
+from lerobot.rollout.strategies import BaseStrategy
+from lerobot.utils.process import ProcessSignalHandler
+
+cfg = RolloutConfig(
+    robot=my_robot_config,
+    policy=my_policy_config,
+    strategy=BaseStrategyConfig(),
+    inference=SyncInferenceConfig(),
+    fps=30,
+    duration=60,
+    task="my task",
+)
+
+signal_handler = ProcessSignalHandler(use_threads=True)
+ctx = build_rollout_context(
+    cfg,
+    signal_handler.shutdown_event,
+    robot_action_processor=my_custom_action_processor,       # optional
+    robot_observation_processor=my_custom_obs_processor,     # optional
+)
+
+strategy = BaseStrategy(cfg.strategy)
+try:
+    strategy.setup(ctx)
+    strategy.run(ctx)
+finally:
+    strategy.teardown(ctx)
+```
+
+See `examples/so100_to_so100_EE/rollout.py` and `examples/phone_to_so100/rollout.py` for full examples with kinematics processors.

docs/source/lerobot-dataset-v3.mdx

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ lerobot-record \
   --dataset.num_episodes=5 \
   --dataset.single_task="Grab the black cube" \
   --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
-  # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+  # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
   --dataset.encoder_threads=2
 ```
 

docs/source/reachy2.mdx

@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ lerobot-record \
     --dataset.private=true \
     --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
     --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-    # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+    # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
     --display_data=true
 ```
 
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ lerobot-record \
     --dataset.private=true \
     --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
     --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-    # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+    # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
     --display_data=true
 ```
 

docs/source/rename_map.mdx

@@ -61,17 +61,6 @@ lerobot-eval \
   --rename_map='{"observation.images.image": "observation.images.base_0_rgb", "observation.images.image2": "observation.images.left_wrist_0_rgb"}'
 ```
 
-### Recording
-
-`lerobot-record` also supports rename maps, nested under the dataset config:
-
-```bash
-lerobot-record \ # When running inference
-  --policy.path="<user>/smolVLA_finetuned" \
-  ... \
-  --dataset.rename_map='{"observation.images.glove2": "observation.images.image"}'
-```
-
 ## Alternative: edit the policy config directly
 
 If you always use the same dataset or environment, you can **edit the policy's `config.json`** so its observation keys match your data source. Then no rename map is needed.
@@ -105,10 +94,10 @@ XVLA-base has three visual inputs and `empty_cameras=0` by default. Your dataset
 
 ## Quick reference
 
-| Goal                                      | What to do                                                                  |
-| ----------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| Dataset keys ≠ policy keys                | `--rename_map='{"dataset_key": "policy_key", ...}'`                         |
-| Env keys ≠ policy keys (eval)             | `--rename_map='{"env_key": "policy_key", ...}'`                             |
-| Recording with different keys (inference) | `--dataset.rename_map='{"source_key": "policy_key", ...}'`.                 |
-| Fewer cameras than policy expects         | `--policy.empty_cameras=N` (supported by PI0, PI05, PI0Fast, SmolVLA, XVLA) |
-| Avoid passing a rename map                | Edit the policy's `config.json` so its keys match your data source          |
+| Goal                                    | What to do                                                                  |
+| --------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| Dataset keys ≠ policy keys              | `--rename_map='{"dataset_key": "policy_key", ...}'`                         |
+| Env keys ≠ policy keys (eval)           | `--rename_map='{"env_key": "policy_key", ...}'`                             |
+| Rollout with different keys (inference) | `--rename_map='{"source_key": "policy_key", ...}'`.                         |
+| Fewer cameras than policy expects       | `--policy.empty_cameras=N` (supported by PI0, PI05, PI0Fast, SmolVLA, XVLA) |
+| Avoid passing a rename map              | Edit the policy's `config.json` so its keys match your data source          |

docs/source/rtc.mdx

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ pip install -e ".[smolvla]"
 
 ### Using RTC with Pi0
 
-You can find a complete reference implementation in [eval_with_real_robot.py](examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py).
+You can use `lerobot-rollout --strategy.type=base --inference.type=rtc` for RTC deployment on real robots.
 The snippet below provides a simplified pseudo-example of how RTC operates with Pi0 in your pipeline:
 
 ```python
@@ -137,8 +137,12 @@ The script generates a visualization of the denoising process, comparing standar
 ## Testing RTC with a Real Robot
 
 ```bash
-python examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py \
+lerobot-rollout \
+    --strategy.type=base \
     --policy.path=${HF_USERNAME}/policy_repo_id \
+    --inference.type=rtc \
+    --inference.rtc.execution_horizon=10 \
+    --inference.rtc.max_guidance_weight=10.0 \
     --robot.type=so100_follower \
     --robot.port=/dev/tty.usbmodem58FA0834591 \
     --robot.cameras="{ gripper: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 1, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}, front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
@@ -178,7 +182,7 @@ visualizer = RTCDebugVisualizer()
 # ... create plots
 ```
 
-See `examples/rtc/eval_dataset.py` for a complete example of visualization.
+See `examples/rtc/eval_dataset.py` for a complete example of offline RTC visualization.
 
 ## References
 

docs/source/sarm.mdx

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ This ensures identical task states map to consistent progress values, even acros
 
 ## Inputs and Targets (What the new code expects)
 
-SARM is trained through its processor (`src/lerobot/policies/sarm/processor_sarm.py`), which:
+SARM is trained through its processor (`src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/processor_sarm.py`), which:
 
 - **Encodes** images and task text with CLIP (ViT-B/32) into `video_features` and `text_features`
 - **Pads/truncates** robot state into `state_features` (up to `max_state_dim`)
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ Use `compute_rabc_weights.py` with `--visualize-only` to visualize model predict
 <hfoption id="single_stage">
 
 ```bash
-python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \
+python -m lerobot.rewards.sarm.compute_rabc_weights \
   --dataset-repo-id your-username/your-dataset \
   --reward-model-path your-username/sarm-model \
   --visualize-only \
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \
 <hfoption id="dense_only">
 
 ```bash
-python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \
+python -m lerobot.rewards.sarm.compute_rabc_weights \
   --dataset-repo-id your-username/your-dataset \
   --reward-model-path your-username/sarm-model \
   --visualize-only \
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \
 <hfoption id="dual">
 
 ```bash
-python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \
+python -m lerobot.rewards.sarm.compute_rabc_weights \
   --dataset-repo-id your-username/your-dataset \
   --reward-model-path your-username/sarm-model \
   --visualize-only \
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ The weighting follows **Equations 8-9** from the paper:
 First, run the SARM model on all frames in your dataset to compute progress values:
 
 ```bash
-python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \
+python -m lerobot.rewards.sarm.compute_rabc_weights \
   --dataset-repo-id your-username/your-dataset \
   --reward-model-path your-username/sarm-model \
   --head-mode sparse \
@@ -465,15 +465,15 @@ This script:
 
 ### Step 5b: Train Policy with RA-BC
 
-Once you have the progress file, train your policy with RA-BC weighting. The progress file is auto-detected from the dataset path (`sarm_progress.parquet`). Currently PI0, PI0.5 and SmolVLA are supported with RA-BC:
+Once you have the progress file, train your policy with RA-BC weighting. The progress file is auto-detected from the dataset path (`sarm_progress.parquet`) if not explicitly provided. Currently PI0, PI0.5 and SmolVLA are supported with RA-BC:
 
 ```bash
 lerobot-train \
   --dataset.repo_id=your-username/your-dataset \
   --policy.type=pi0 \
-  --use_rabc=true \
-  --rabc_head_mode=sparse \
-  --rabc_kappa=0.01 \
+  --sample_weighting.type=rabc \
+  --sample_weighting.head_mode=sparse \
+  --sample_weighting.kappa=0.01 \
   --output_dir=outputs/train/policy_rabc \
   --batch_size=32 \
   --steps=40000
@@ -488,12 +488,13 @@ The training script automatically:
 
 **RA-BC Arguments:**
 
-| Argument               | Description                                                | Default                            |
-| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
-| `--use_rabc`           | Enable RA-BC sample weighting                              | `false`                            |
-| `--rabc_progress_path` | Path to progress parquet file (auto-detected from dataset) | `sarm_progress.parquet` in dataset |
-| `--rabc_head_mode`     | Which SARM head's progress to use: `sparse` or `dense`     | `sparse`                           |
-| `--rabc_kappa`         | Threshold κ for high-quality samples                       | `0.01`                             |
+| Argument                           | Description                                            | Default                 |
+| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------- |
+| `--sample_weighting.type`          | Weighting strategy type (`rabc` or `uniform`)          | `rabc`                  |
+| `--sample_weighting.progress_path` | Path to progress parquet file                          | `sarm_progress.parquet` |
+| `--sample_weighting.head_mode`     | Which SARM head's progress to use: `sparse` or `dense` | `sparse`                |
+| `--sample_weighting.kappa`         | Threshold κ for high-quality samples                   | `0.01`                  |
+| `--sample_weighting.epsilon`       | Small constant for numerical stability                 | `1e-6`                  |
 
 ### Tuning RA-BC Kappa
 
@@ -511,30 +512,30 @@ The `kappa` parameter is the threshold that determines which samples get full we
 
 Monitor these WandB metrics during training:
 
-| Metric             | Healthy Range | Problem Indicator         |
-| ------------------ | ------------- | ------------------------- |
-| `rabc_mean_weight` | 0.3 - 0.8     | ≈ 1.0 means kappa too low |
-| `rabc_delta_mean`  | > 0           | Should be positive        |
-| `rabc_delta_std`   | > 0           | Variance in data quality  |
+| Metric                        | Healthy Range | Problem Indicator         |
+| ----------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------- |
+| `sample_weight_mean_weight`   | 0.3 - 0.8     | ≈ 1.0 means kappa too low |
+| `sample_weighting/delta_mean` | > 0           | Should be positive        |
+| `sample_weighting/delta_std`  | > 0           | Variance in data quality  |
 
-**If `rabc_mean_weight ≈ 1.0`:** Your kappa is too low. Most samples have `delta > kappa` and bypass the soft-weighting entirely. RA-BC becomes equivalent to vanilla BC.
+**If `sample_weight_mean_weight ≈ 1.0`:** Your kappa is too low. Most samples have `delta > kappa` and bypass the soft-weighting entirely. RA-BC becomes equivalent to vanilla BC.
 
 **Setting kappa based on your data:**
 
-The default `kappa=0.01` was tuned for the paper's T-shirt folding task (~90s episodes at 30fps). For your dataset, check the logged `rabc_delta_mean` and `rabc_delta_std`:
+The default `kappa=0.01` was tuned for the paper's T-shirt folding task (~90s episodes at 30fps). For your dataset, check the logged `sample_weighting/delta_mean` and `sample_weighting/delta_std`:
 
 ```
 # If delta_mean ≈ 0.03 and delta_std ≈ 0.02:
 # Most deltas fall in range [0.01, 0.05]
 
 # Option 1: Set kappa = delta_mean (medium selectivity)
---rabc_kappa=0.03
+--sample_weighting.kappa=0.03
 
 # Option 2: Set kappa = delta_mean + delta_std (high selectivity)
---rabc_kappa=0.05
+--sample_weighting.kappa=0.05
 
 # Option 3: Set kappa = delta_mean + 2*delta_std (very selective)
---rabc_kappa=0.07
+--sample_weighting.kappa=0.07
 ```
 
 **When RA-BC may not help:**
@@ -550,8 +551,8 @@ accelerate launch \
   src/lerobot/scripts/lerobot_train.py \
   --dataset.repo_id=your-username/your-dataset \
   --policy.type=pi0 \
-  --use_rabc=true \
-  --rabc_kappa=0.01 \
+  --sample_weighting.type=rabc \
+  --sample_weighting.kappa=0.01 \
   --output_dir=outputs/train/policy_rabc \
   --batch_size=32 \
   --steps=40000
@@ -576,7 +577,7 @@ accelerate launch \
 ### RA-BC
 
 1. **Train SARM first**: RA-BC quality depends entirely on SARM quality
-2. **Monitor `rabc_mean_weight`**: If it's ≈ 1.0, increase kappa (see [Tuning RA-BC Kappa](#tuning-ra-bc-kappa))
+2. **Monitor `sample_weight_mean_weight`**: If it's ≈ 1.0, increase kappa (see [Tuning RA-BC Kappa](#tuning-ra-bc-kappa))
 
 ---
 

docs/source/smolvla.mdx

@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ lerobot-record \
   --dataset.num_episodes=10 \
   --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
   --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
-  # --dataset.vcodec=auto \
+  # --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto \
   # <- Teleop optional if you want to teleoperate in between episodes \
   # --teleop.type=so100_leader \
   # --teleop.port=/dev/ttyACM0 \

docs/source/streaming_video_encoding.mdx

@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@ This makes `save_episode()` near-instant (the video is already encoded by the ti
 
 ## 2. Tuning Parameters
 
-| Parameter               | CLI Flag                          | Type          | Default       | Description                                                       |
-| ----------------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `streaming_encoding`    | `--dataset.streaming_encoding`    | `bool`        | `True`        | Enable real-time encoding during capture                          |
-| `vcodec`                | `--dataset.vcodec`                | `str`         | `"libsvtav1"` | Video codec. `"auto"` detects best HW encoder                     |
-| `encoder_threads`       | `--dataset.encoder_threads`       | `int \| None` | `None` (auto) | Threads per encoder instance. `None` will leave the vcoded decide |
-| `encoder_queue_maxsize` | `--dataset.encoder_queue_maxsize` | `int`         | `60`          | Max buffered frames per camera (~2s at 30fps). Consumes RAM       |
+| Parameter               | CLI Flag                                 | Type          | Default       | Description                                                       |
+| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `streaming_encoding`    | `--dataset.streaming_encoding`           | `bool`        | `True`        | Enable real-time encoding during capture                          |
+| `vcodec`                | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec` | `str`         | `"libsvtav1"` | Video codec. `"auto"` detects best HW encoder                     |
+| `encoder_threads`       | `--dataset.encoder_threads`              | `int \| None` | `None` (auto) | Threads per encoder instance. `None` will leave the vcoded decide |
+| `encoder_queue_maxsize` | `--dataset.encoder_queue_maxsize`        | `int`         | `60`          | Max buffered frames per camera (~2s at 30fps). Consumes RAM       |
 
 ## 3. Performance Considerations
 
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ This parameter controls how many threads each encoder instance uses internally:
 
 ### Backpressure and Frame Dropping
 
-Each camera has a bounded queue (`encoder_queue_maxsize`, default 60 frames). When the encoder can't keep up:
+Each camera has a bounded queue (`encoder_queue_maxsize`, default 30 frames). When the encoder can't keep up:
 
 1. The queue fills up (consuming RAM)
 2. New frames are **dropped** (not blocked) — the capture loop continues uninterrupted
@@ -82,15 +82,15 @@ Use HW encoding when:
 
 ### Available HW Encoders
 
-| Encoder             | Platform      | Hardware                                                                                         | CLI Value                            |
-| ------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ |
-| `h264_videotoolbox` | macOS         | Apple Silicon / Intel                                                                            | `--dataset.vcodec=h264_videotoolbox` |
-| `hevc_videotoolbox` | macOS         | Apple Silicon / Intel                                                                            | `--dataset.vcodec=hevc_videotoolbox` |
-| `h264_nvenc`        | Linux/Windows | NVIDIA GPU                                                                                       | `--dataset.vcodec=h264_nvenc`        |
-| `hevc_nvenc`        | Linux/Windows | NVIDIA GPU                                                                                       | `--dataset.vcodec=hevc_nvenc`        |
-| `h264_vaapi`        | Linux         | Intel/AMD GPU                                                                                    | `--dataset.vcodec=h264_vaapi`        |
-| `h264_qsv`          | Linux/Windows | Intel Quick Sync                                                                                 | `--dataset.vcodec=h264_qsv`          |
-| `auto`              | Any           | Probes the system for available HW encoders. Falls back to `libsvtav1` if no HW encoder is found | `--dataset.vcodec=auto`              |
+| Encoder             | Platform      | Hardware                                                                                         | CLI Value                                                  |
+| ------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `h264_videotoolbox` | macOS         | Apple Silicon / Intel                                                                            | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=h264_videotoolbox` |
+| `hevc_videotoolbox` | macOS         | Apple Silicon / Intel                                                                            | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=hevc_videotoolbox` |
+| `h264_nvenc`        | Linux/Windows | NVIDIA GPU                                                                                       | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=h264_nvenc`        |
+| `hevc_nvenc`        | Linux/Windows | NVIDIA GPU                                                                                       | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=hevc_nvenc`        |
+| `h264_vaapi`        | Linux         | Intel/AMD GPU                                                                                    | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=h264_vaapi`        |
+| `h264_qsv`          | Linux/Windows | Intel Quick Sync                                                                                 | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=h264_qsv`          |
+| `auto`              | Any           | Probes the system for available HW encoders. Falls back to `libsvtav1` if no HW encoder is found | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto`              |
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > In order to use the HW accelerated encoders you might need to upgrade your GPU drivers.
@@ -100,15 +100,15 @@ Use HW encoding when:
 
 ## 5. Troubleshooting
 
-| Symptom                                                            | Likely Cause                                 | Fix                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
-| ------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
-| System freezes or choppy robot movement or Rerun visualization lag | CPU starved (100% load usage)                | Close other apps, reduce encoding throughput, lower `encoder_threads`, use `h264`, use `display_data=False`. If the CPU continues to be at 100% then it might be insufficient for your setup, consider `--dataset.streaming_encoding=false` or HW encoding (`--dataset.vcodec=auto`) |
-| "Encoder queue full" warnings or dropped frames in dataset         | Encoder can't keep up (Queue overflow)       | If CPU is not at 100%: Increase `encoder_threads`, increase `encoder_queue_maxsize` or use HW encoding (`--dataset.vcodec=auto`).                                                                                                                                                    |
-| High RAM usage                                                     | Queue filling faster than encoding           | `encoder_threads` too low or CPU insufficient. Reduce `encoder_queue_maxsize` or use HW encoding                                                                                                                                                                                     |
-| Large video files                                                  | Using HW encoder or H.264                    | Expected trade-off. Switch to `libsvtav1` if CPU allows                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
-| `save_episode()` still slow                                        | `streaming_encoding` is `False`              | Set `--dataset.streaming_encoding=true`                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
-| Encoder thread crash                                               | Codec not available or invalid settings      | Check `vcodec` is installed, try `--dataset.vcodec=auto`                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
-| Recorded dataset is missing frames                                 | CPU/GPU starvation or occasional load spikes | If ~5% of frames are missing, your system is likely overloaded — follow the recommendations above. If fewer frames are missing (~2%), they are probably due to occasional transient load spikes (often at startup) and can be considered expected.                                   |
+| Symptom                                                            | Likely Cause                                 | Fix                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
+| ------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| System freezes or choppy robot movement or Rerun visualization lag | CPU starved (100% load usage)                | Close other apps, reduce encoding throughput, lower `encoder_threads`, use `h264`, use `display_data=False`. If the CPU continues to be at 100% then it might be insufficient for your setup, consider `--dataset.streaming_encoding=false` or HW encoding (`--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto`) |
+| "Encoder queue full" warnings or dropped frames in dataset         | Encoder can't keep up (Queue overflow)       | If CPU is not at 100%: Increase `encoder_threads`, increase `encoder_queue_maxsize` or use HW encoding (`--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto`).                                                                                                                                                    |
+| High RAM usage                                                     | Queue filling faster than encoding           | `encoder_threads` too low or CPU insufficient. Reduce `encoder_queue_maxsize` or use HW encoding                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
+| Large video files                                                  | Using HW encoder or H.264                    | Expected trade-off. Switch to `libsvtav1` if CPU allows                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
+| `save_episode()` still slow                                        | `streaming_encoding` is `False`              | Set `--dataset.streaming_encoding=true`                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
+| Encoder thread crash                                               | Codec not available or invalid settings      | Check `vcodec` is installed, try `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=auto`                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
+| Recorded dataset is missing frames                                 | CPU/GPU starvation or occasional load spikes | If ~5% of frames are missing, your system is likely overloaded — follow the recommendations above. If fewer frames are missing (~2%), they are probably due to occasional transient load spikes (often at startup) and can be considered expected.                                                         |
 
 ## 6. Recommended Configurations
 
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ On very constrained systems, streaming encoding may compete too heavily with the
 # 2camsx 640x480x3 @30fps: Requires some tuning.
 
 # Use H.264, disable streaming, consider batching encoding
-lerobot-record --dataset.vcodec=h264 --dataset.streaming_encoding=false ...
+lerobot-record --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=h264 --dataset.streaming_encoding=false ...
 ```
 
 ## 7. Closing note

docs/source/unitree_g1.mdx

@@ -274,7 +274,8 @@ python src/lerobot/scripts/lerobot_train.py \
 Once trained, we recommend deploying policies using inference-time RTC:
 
 ```bash
-python examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py \
+lerobot-rollout \
+  --strategy.type=base \
   --policy.path=your-username/your-repo-id \
   --policy.device=cuda \
   --robot.type=unitree_g1 \
@@ -284,7 +285,7 @@ python examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py \
   --task="task_description" \
   --duration=1000 \
   --fps=30 \
-  --rtc.enabled=true
+  --inference.type=rtc
 ```
 
 ---

docs/source/using_dataset_tools.mdx

@@ -117,10 +117,10 @@ lerobot-edit-dataset \
     --repo_id lerobot/pusht_image \
     --operation.type convert_image_to_video \
     --operation.output_dir outputs/pusht_video \
-    --operation.vcodec libsvtav1 \
-    --operation.pix_fmt yuv420p \
-    --operation.g 2 \
-    --operation.crf 30
+    --operation.camera_encoder_config.vcodec libsvtav1 \
+    --operation.camera_encoder_config.pix_fmt yuv420p \
+    --operation.camera_encoder_config.g 2 \
+    --operation.camera_encoder_config.crf 30
 
 # Convert only specific episodes
 lerobot-edit-dataset \
@@ -147,11 +147,7 @@ lerobot-edit-dataset \
 **Parameters:**
 
 - `output_dir`: Custom output directory (optional - by default uses `new_repo_id` or `{repo_id}_video`)
-- `vcodec`: Video codec to use - options: `h264`, `hevc`, `libsvtav1` (default: `libsvtav1`)
-- `pix_fmt`: Pixel format - options: `yuv420p`, `yuv444p` (default: `yuv420p`)
-- `g`: Group of pictures (GOP) size - lower values give better quality but larger files (default: 2)
-- `crf`: Constant rate factor - lower values give better quality but larger files, 0 is lossless (default: 30)
-- `fast_decode`: Fast decode tuning option (default: 0)
+- `camera_encoder_config`: Video encoder settings — all sub-fields accessible via `--operation.camera_encoder_config.<field>. See [Video Encoding Parameters](./video_encoding_parameters) for more details.
 - `episode_indices`: List of specific episodes to convert (default: all episodes)
 - `num_workers`: Number of parallel workers for processing (default: 4)
 

docs/source/video_encoding_parameters.mdx

@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+# Video encoding parameters
+
+When **video storage** is on, LeRobot stores each camera stream as an **MP4** file rather than saving **every timestep as its own image file**. **Video encoding compress across time**, which usually cuts **dataset size and I/O** compared to heaps of PNGs, and MP4 stays a **familiar format** for players and loaders. Incoding frames into a MP4 file is a full FFmpeg pipeline: choice of encoder, pixel format, GOP/keyframes, quality vs speed, and
+optional extra encoder flags. **Many of those knobs are user-tunable** and are exposed on the dataset config as
+**`dataset.camera_encoder_config`** — a nested **`VideoEncoderConfig`** (`lerobot.datasets.video_utils.
+VideoEncoderConfig`) passed through **PyAV**.
+
+You can set these parameters from the CLI with **`--dataset.camera_encoder_config.<field>`** (e.g. `lerobot-record`, `lerobot-rollout`). The same block applies to **every** camera video stream in that run. **Video storage must be on** — **`use_videos=True`** in Python APIs or **`--dataset.video=true`** (recording default); with video off, inputs stay as images and **`camera_encoder_config` is ignored.**
+
+For **when** frames are written vs encoded (streaming vs post-episode), queues, and other top-level **`--dataset.*`** switches, see [Streaming Video Encoding](./streaming_video_encoding). For codec/size/speed experiments, see the [video-benchmark Space](https://huggingface.co/spaces/lerobot/video-benchmark).
+
+---
+
+## Tuning Parameters
+
+| Parameter       | CLI flag                                        | Type                 | Default       | Description                                                                                                                                             |
+| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | -------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `vcodec`        | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec`        | `str`                | `"libsvtav1"` | Video codec name. `"auto"` picks the first available hardware encoder from a fixed preference list, else `libsvtav1`.                                   |
+| `pix_fmt`       | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.pix_fmt`       | `str`                | `"yuv420p"`   | Output pixel format; must be supported by the specified codec in your FFmpeg build.                                                                     |
+| `g`             | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.g`             | `int \| None`        | `2`           | GOP size (keyframes every `g` frames). Emitted as FFmpeg option `g`.                                                                                    |
+| `crf`           | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.crf`           | `int \| None`        | `30`          | Abstract **quality**; mapped per codec in the table below (CRF, QP, `q:v`, etc.). Lower → higher quality / larger output where the mapping is monotone. |
+| `preset`        | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.preset`        | `int \| str \| None` | `12`\*        | Video encoding speed preset; meaning depends on the specified codec. \*Unset + `libsvtav1` → LeRobot sets `12`.                                         |
+| `fast_decode`   | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.fast_decode`   | `int`                | `0`           | `libsvtav1`: `0–2` passed in `svtav1-params`; `h264` / `hevc` (software): if `>0`, sets `tune=fastdecode`; other codecs: often unused.                  |
+| `video_backend` | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.video_backend` | `str`                | `"pyav"`      | Only `"pyav"` is implemented for video encoding today.                                                                                                  |
+| `extra_options` | (nested config / non-scalar)                    | `dict`               | `{}`          | Extra FFmpeg options merged after the built-in mapping; **cannot** override keys already set from structured fields above.                              |
+
+---
+
+## Validation
+
+| What                 | Behavior                                                                                                                                                                                        |
+| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| Video codec presence | `vcodec` must exist as a video encoder in the local FFmpeg build (after resolving `"auto"`).                                                                                                    |
+| Pixel format         | `pix_fmt` is checked against the encoder’s reported pixel formats when available.                                                                                                               |
+| Options              | `get_codec_options()` output (including values originating from `extra_options`) is checked against PyAV/FFmpeg option metadata (ranges, integer constraints, string choices) where applicable. |
+
+---
+
+## Mapping: `VideoEncoderConfig` → FFmpeg options
+
+From **`get_codec_options()`** after `vcodec` resolution. Only fields on `camera_encoder_config` are listed here (no global thread / queue flags).
+
+| Resolved `vcodec`                        | `g` | Quality from `crf`          | `preset` | `fast_decode`                              |
+| ---------------------------------------- | --- | --------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------ |
+| `libsvtav1`                              | `g` | `crf`                       | `preset` | `svtav1-params` includes `fast-decode=0…2` |
+| `h264`, `hevc` (software)                | `g` | `crf`                       | `preset` | `tune=fastdecode` if `fast_decode > 0`     |
+| `h264_videotoolbox`, `hevc_videotoolbox` | `g` | `q:v` (derived from `crf`)  | —        | —                                          |
+| `h264_nvenc`, `hevc_nvenc`               | `g` | `rc=constqp` + `qp` ← `crf` | `preset` | —                                          |
+| `h264_vaapi`                             | `g` | `qp` ← `crf`                | —        | —                                          |
+| `h264_qsv`                               | `g` | `global_quality` ← `crf`    | `preset` | —                                          |
+
+---
+
+## `extra_options`
+
+- Merged **after** structured options; keys **already** set by `g`, `crf`, `preset`, etc. are **not** replaced by `extra_options`.
+- Values are strings or numbers as FFmpeg expects; numeric values are validated when the codec exposes option metadata.
+
+---
+
+## Example
+
+```bash
+lerobot-record \
+    --robot.type=so100_follower \
+    --robot.port=/dev/tty.usbmodem58760431541 \
+    --robot.cameras="{laptop: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
+    --robot.id=black \
+    --teleop.type=so100_leader \
+    --teleop.port=/dev/tty.usbmodem58760431551 \
+    --teleop.id=blue \
+    --dataset.repo_id=<my_username>/<my_dataset_name> \
+    --dataset.num_episodes=2 \
+    --dataset.single_task="Grab the cube" \
+    --dataset.streaming_encoding=true \
+    --dataset.encoder_threads=2 \
+    --dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=h264 \
+    --dataset.camera_encoder_config.preset=fast \
+    --dataset.camera_encoder_config.extra_options={"tune": "film", "profile:v": "high", "bf": 2} \
+    --display_data=true
+```

docs/source/xvla.mdx

@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ REAL_DIM = 12
 # Postprocessing: Trim 20D predictions to 12D for deployment
 ```
 
-See the [action_hub.py](/home/jade_choghari/robot/lerobot/src/lerobot/policies/xvla/action_hub.py) implementation for details.
+See the [action_hub.py](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot/blob/main/src/lerobot/policies/xvla/action_hub.py) implementation for details.
 
 #### Auto Action Mode (Recommended)
 
@@ -519,9 +519,9 @@ If you use X-VLA in your research, please cite:
 
 - [X-VLA Paper](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2510.10274)
 - [LeRobot Documentation](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot)
-- [Action Registry Implementation](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot/src/lerobot/policies/xvla/action_hub.py)
-- [Processor Implementation](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot/src/lerobot/policies/xvla/processor_xvla.py)
-- [Model Configuration](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot/src/lerobot/policies/xvla/configuration_xvla.py)
+- [Action Registry Implementation](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot/blob/main/src/lerobot/policies/xvla/action_hub.py)
+- [Processor Implementation](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot/blob/main/src/lerobot/policies/xvla/processor_xvla.py)
+- [Model Configuration](https://github.com/huggingface/lerobot/blob/main/src/lerobot/policies/xvla/configuration_xvla.py)
 
 ## Contributing
 

examples/dataset/slurm_compute_rabc.py

@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class ComputeProgressShards(PipelineStep):
         import torch
         from tqdm import tqdm
 
-        from lerobot.policies.sarm.compute_rabc_weights import (
+        from lerobot.rewards.sarm.compute_rabc_weights import (
             generate_all_frame_indices,
             interpolate_progress,
             load_sarm_resources,

examples/hil/hil_utils.py

@@ -1,226 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
-#
-# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-# You may obtain a copy of the License at
-#
-#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-# limitations under the License.
-
-"""Shared utilities for Human-in-the-Loop data collection scripts."""
-
-import logging
-import time
-from dataclasses import dataclass, field
-from pathlib import Path
-
-from lerobot.common.control_utils import is_headless
-from lerobot.processor import (
-    IdentityProcessorStep,
-    RobotAction,
-    RobotObservation,
-    RobotProcessorPipeline,
-    observation_to_transition,
-    robot_action_observation_to_transition,
-    transition_to_observation,
-    transition_to_robot_action,
-)
-from lerobot.robots import Robot
-from lerobot.teleoperators import Teleoperator
-from lerobot.utils.robot_utils import precise_sleep
-
-logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-
-@dataclass
-class HILDatasetConfig:
-    repo_id: str
-    single_task: str
-    root: str | Path | None = None
-    fps: int = 30
-    episode_time_s: float = 120
-    num_episodes: int = 50
-    video: bool = True
-    push_to_hub: bool = True
-    private: bool = False
-    tags: list[str] | None = None
-    num_image_writer_processes: int = 0
-    num_image_writer_threads_per_camera: int = 4
-    video_encoding_batch_size: int = 1
-    vcodec: str = "auto"
-    streaming_encoding: bool = True
-    encoder_queue_maxsize: int = 30
-    encoder_threads: int | None = None
-    rename_map: dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
-
-
-def teleop_has_motor_control(teleop: Teleoperator) -> bool:
-    """Check if teleoperator has motor control capabilities."""
-    return all(hasattr(teleop, attr) for attr in ("enable_torque", "disable_torque", "write_goal_positions"))
-
-
-def teleop_disable_torque(teleop: Teleoperator) -> None:
-    """Disable teleop torque if supported."""
-    if hasattr(teleop, "disable_torque"):
-        teleop.disable_torque()
-
-
-def teleop_enable_torque(teleop: Teleoperator) -> None:
-    """Enable teleop torque if supported."""
-    if hasattr(teleop, "enable_torque"):
-        teleop.enable_torque()
-
-
-def teleop_smooth_move_to(teleop: Teleoperator, target_pos: dict, duration_s: float = 2.0, fps: int = 50):
-    """Smoothly move teleop to target position if motor control is available."""
-    if not teleop_has_motor_control(teleop):
-        logger.warning("Teleop does not support motor control - cannot mirror robot position")
-        return
-
-    teleop_enable_torque(teleop)
-    current = teleop.get_action()
-    steps = max(int(duration_s * fps), 1)
-
-    for step in range(steps + 1):
-        t = step / steps
-        interp = {}
-        for k in current:
-            if k in target_pos:
-                interp[k] = current[k] * (1 - t) + target_pos[k] * t
-            else:
-                interp[k] = current[k]
-        teleop.write_goal_positions(interp)
-        time.sleep(1 / fps)
-
-
-def init_keyboard_listener():
-    """Initialize keyboard listener with HIL controls."""
-    events = {
-        "exit_early": False,
-        "rerecord_episode": False,
-        "stop_recording": False,
-        "policy_paused": False,
-        "correction_active": False,
-        "resume_policy": False,
-        "in_reset": False,
-        "start_next_episode": False,
-    }
-
-    if is_headless():
-        logger.warning("Headless environment - keyboard controls unavailable")
-        return None, events
-
-    from pynput import keyboard
-
-    def on_press(key):
-        try:
-            if events["in_reset"]:
-                if key in [keyboard.Key.space, keyboard.Key.right]:
-                    logger.info("[HIL] Starting next episode...")
-                    events["start_next_episode"] = True
-                elif hasattr(key, "char") and key.char == "c":
-                    events["start_next_episode"] = True
-                elif key == keyboard.Key.esc:
-                    logger.info("[HIL] ESC - Stop recording, pushing to hub...")
-                    events["stop_recording"] = True
-                    events["start_next_episode"] = True
-            else:
-                if key == keyboard.Key.space:
-                    if not events["policy_paused"] and not events["correction_active"]:
-                        logger.info("[HIL] PAUSED - Press 'c' to take control or 'p' to resume policy")
-                        events["policy_paused"] = True
-                elif hasattr(key, "char") and key.char == "c":
-                    if events["policy_paused"] and not events["correction_active"]:
-                        logger.info("[HIL] Taking control...")
-                        events["start_next_episode"] = True
-                elif hasattr(key, "char") and key.char == "p":
-                    if events["policy_paused"] or events["correction_active"]:
-                        logger.info("[HIL] Resuming policy...")
-                        events["resume_policy"] = True
-                elif key == keyboard.Key.right:
-                    logger.info("[HIL] End episode")
-                    events["exit_early"] = True
-                elif key == keyboard.Key.left:
-                    logger.info("[HIL] Re-record episode")
-                    events["rerecord_episode"] = True
-                    events["exit_early"] = True
-                elif key == keyboard.Key.esc:
-                    logger.info("[HIL] ESC - Stop recording...")
-                    events["stop_recording"] = True
-                    events["exit_early"] = True
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.info(f"Key error: {e}")
-
-    listener = keyboard.Listener(on_press=on_press)
-    listener.start()
-    return listener, events
-
-
-def make_identity_processors():
-    """Create identity processors for recording."""
-    teleop_proc = RobotProcessorPipeline[tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction](
-        steps=[IdentityProcessorStep()],
-        to_transition=robot_action_observation_to_transition,
-        to_output=transition_to_robot_action,
-    )
-    obs_proc = RobotProcessorPipeline[RobotObservation, RobotObservation](
-        steps=[IdentityProcessorStep()],
-        to_transition=observation_to_transition,
-        to_output=transition_to_observation,
-    )
-    return teleop_proc, obs_proc
-
-
-def reset_loop(robot: Robot, teleop: Teleoperator, events: dict, fps: int):
-    """Reset period where human repositions environment."""
-    logger.info("[HIL] RESET")
-
-    events["in_reset"] = True
-    events["start_next_episode"] = False
-
-    obs = robot.get_observation()
-    robot_pos = {k: v for k, v in obs.items() if k.endswith(".pos") and k in robot.observation_features}
-    teleop_smooth_move_to(teleop, robot_pos, duration_s=2.0, fps=50)
-
-    logger.info("Press any key to enable teleoperation")
-    while not events["start_next_episode"] and not events["stop_recording"]:
-        precise_sleep(0.05)
-
-    if events["stop_recording"]:
-        return
-
-    events["start_next_episode"] = False
-    teleop_disable_torque(teleop)
-    logger.info("Teleop enabled - press any key to start episode")
-
-    while not events["start_next_episode"] and not events["stop_recording"]:
-        loop_start = time.perf_counter()
-        action = teleop.get_action()
-        robot.send_action(action)
-        precise_sleep(1 / fps - (time.perf_counter() - loop_start))
-
-    events["in_reset"] = False
-    events["start_next_episode"] = False
-    events["exit_early"] = False
-    events["policy_paused"] = False
-    events["correction_active"] = False
-    events["resume_policy"] = False
-
-
-def print_controls(rtc: bool = False):
-    """Print control instructions."""
-    mode = "Human-in-the-Loop Data Collection" + (" (RTC)" if rtc else "")
-    logger.info(
-        "%s\n  Controls:\n"
-        "    SPACE  - Pause policy\n"
-        "    c      - Take control\n"
-        "    p      - Resume policy after pause/correction\n"
-        "    →      - End episode\n"
-        "    ESC    - Stop and push to hub",
-        mode,
-    )

examples/lekiwi/evaluate.py

@@ -14,17 +14,21 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-from lerobot.common.control_utils import init_keyboard_listener
+import logging
+import time
+
+from lerobot.common.control_utils import init_keyboard_listener, predict_action
 from lerobot.datasets import LeRobotDataset
 from lerobot.policies import make_pre_post_processors
 from lerobot.policies.act import ACTPolicy
+from lerobot.policies.utils import make_robot_action
 from lerobot.processor import make_default_processors
 from lerobot.robots.lekiwi import LeKiwiClient, LeKiwiClientConfig
-from lerobot.scripts.lerobot_record import record_loop
 from lerobot.utils.constants import ACTION, OBS_STR
-from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import hw_to_dataset_features
+from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import build_dataset_frame, hw_to_dataset_features
+from lerobot.utils.robot_utils import precise_sleep
 from lerobot.utils.utils import log_say
-from lerobot.utils.visualization_utils import init_rerun
+from lerobot.utils.visualization_utils import init_rerun, log_rerun_data
 
 NUM_EPISODES = 2
 FPS = 30
@@ -35,6 +39,9 @@ HF_DATASET_ID = "<hf_username>/<eval_dataset_repo_id>"
 
 
 def main():
+    # NOTE: For production policy deployment, use `lerobot-rollout` CLI instead.
+    # This script provides a self-contained example for educational purposes.
+
     # Create the robot configuration & robot
     robot_config = LeKiwiClientConfig(remote_ip="172.18.134.136", id="lekiwi")
 
@@ -83,43 +90,67 @@ def main():
             raise ValueError("Robot is not connected!")
 
         print("Starting evaluate loop...")
+        control_interval = 1 / FPS
         recorded_episodes = 0
         while recorded_episodes < NUM_EPISODES and not events["stop_recording"]:
             log_say(f"Running inference, recording eval episode {recorded_episodes} of {NUM_EPISODES}")
 
-            # Main record loop
-            record_loop(
-                robot=robot,
-                events=events,
-                fps=FPS,
-                policy=policy,
-                preprocessor=preprocessor,  # Pass the pre and post policy processors
-                postprocessor=postprocessor,
-                dataset=dataset,
-                control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
-                single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
-                display_data=True,
-                teleop_action_processor=teleop_action_processor,
-                robot_action_processor=robot_action_processor,
-                robot_observation_processor=robot_observation_processor,
-            )
+            # Inline evaluation loop: predict actions and send to robot
+            timestamp = 0
+            start_episode_t = time.perf_counter()
+            while timestamp < EPISODE_TIME_SEC:
+                start_loop_t = time.perf_counter()
+
+                if events["exit_early"]:
+                    events["exit_early"] = False
+                    break
+
+                # Get robot observation
+                obs = robot.get_observation()
+                obs_processed = robot_observation_processor(obs)
+                observation_frame = build_dataset_frame(dataset.features, obs_processed, prefix=OBS_STR)
+
+                # Predict action using the policy
+                action_tensor = predict_action(
+                    observation=observation_frame,
+                    policy=policy,
+                    device=policy.config.device,
+                    preprocessor=preprocessor,
+                    postprocessor=postprocessor,
+                    use_amp=policy.config.device.type == "cuda",
+                    task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
+                    robot_type=robot.name,
+                )
+
+                # Convert policy output to robot action dict
+                action_values = make_robot_action(action_tensor, dataset.features)
+
+                # Process and send action to robot
+                robot_action_to_send = robot_action_processor((action_values, obs))
+                robot.send_action(robot_action_to_send)
+
+                # Write to dataset
+                action_frame = build_dataset_frame(dataset.features, action_values, prefix=ACTION)
+                frame = {**observation_frame, **action_frame, "task": TASK_DESCRIPTION}
+                dataset.add_frame(frame)
+
+                log_rerun_data(observation=obs_processed, action=action_values)
+
+                dt_s = time.perf_counter() - start_loop_t
+                sleep_time_s = control_interval - dt_s
+                if sleep_time_s < 0:
+                    logging.warning(
+                        f"Evaluate loop is running slower ({1 / dt_s:.1f} Hz) than the target FPS ({FPS} Hz)."
+                    )
+                precise_sleep(max(sleep_time_s, 0.0))
+                timestamp = time.perf_counter() - start_episode_t
 
             # Reset the environment if not stopping or re-recording
             if not events["stop_recording"] and (
                 (recorded_episodes < NUM_EPISODES - 1) or events["rerecord_episode"]
             ):
                 log_say("Reset the environment")
-                record_loop(
-                    robot=robot,
-                    events=events,
-                    fps=FPS,
-                    control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
-                    single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
-                    display_data=True,
-                    teleop_action_processor=teleop_action_processor,
-                    robot_action_processor=robot_action_processor,
-                    robot_observation_processor=robot_observation_processor,
-                )
+                log_say("Waiting for environment reset, press right arrow key when ready...")
 
             if events["rerecord_episode"]:
                 log_say("Re-record episode")

examples/lekiwi/record.py

@@ -45,9 +45,6 @@ def main():
     leader_arm = SO100Leader(leader_arm_config)
     keyboard = KeyboardTeleop(keyboard_config)
 
-    # TODO(Steven): Update this example to use pipelines
-    teleop_action_processor, robot_action_processor, robot_observation_processor = make_default_processors()
-
     # Configure the dataset features
     action_features = hw_to_dataset_features(robot.action_features, ACTION)
     obs_features = hw_to_dataset_features(robot.observation_features, OBS_STR)
@@ -77,6 +74,10 @@ def main():
         if not robot.is_connected or not leader_arm.is_connected or not keyboard.is_connected:
             raise ValueError("Robot or teleop is not connected!")
 
+        teleop_action_processor, robot_action_processor, robot_observation_processor = (
+            make_default_processors()
+        )
+
         print("Starting record loop...")
         recorded_episodes = 0
         while recorded_episodes < NUM_EPISODES and not events["stop_recording"]:
@@ -87,14 +88,14 @@ def main():
                 robot=robot,
                 events=events,
                 fps=FPS,
+                teleop_action_processor=teleop_action_processor,
+                robot_action_processor=robot_action_processor,
+                robot_observation_processor=robot_observation_processor,
                 dataset=dataset,
                 teleop=[leader_arm, keyboard],
                 control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
                 single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
                 display_data=True,
-                teleop_action_processor=teleop_action_processor,
-                robot_action_processor=robot_action_processor,
-                robot_observation_processor=robot_observation_processor,
             )
 
             # Reset the environment if not stopping or re-recording
@@ -106,13 +107,13 @@ def main():
                     robot=robot,
                     events=events,
                     fps=FPS,
+                    teleop_action_processor=teleop_action_processor,
+                    robot_action_processor=robot_action_processor,
+                    robot_observation_processor=robot_observation_processor,
                     teleop=[leader_arm, keyboard],
                     control_time_s=RESET_TIME_SEC,
                     single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
                     display_data=True,
-                    teleop_action_processor=teleop_action_processor,
-                    robot_action_processor=robot_action_processor,
-                    robot_observation_processor=robot_observation_processor,
                 )
 
             if events["rerecord_episode"]:

examples/lekiwi/rollout.py

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+# !/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Run a trained policy on LeKiwi without recording (base rollout).
+
+Uses the rollout engine's :class:`BaseStrategy` (autonomous execution,
+no dataset) with :class:`SyncInferenceConfig` (inline policy call per
+control tick).  For a CLI entry point with the same capabilities plus
+recording, upload, and human-in-the-loop variants, see ``lerobot-rollout``.
+"""
+
+from lerobot.configs import PreTrainedConfig
+from lerobot.robots.lekiwi import LeKiwiClientConfig
+from lerobot.rollout import BaseStrategyConfig, RolloutConfig, build_rollout_context
+from lerobot.rollout.inference import SyncInferenceConfig
+from lerobot.rollout.strategies import BaseStrategy
+from lerobot.utils.process import ProcessSignalHandler
+from lerobot.utils.utils import init_logging
+
+FPS = 30
+DURATION_SEC = 60
+TASK_DESCRIPTION = "My task description"
+HF_MODEL_ID = "<hf_username>/<model_repo_id>"
+
+
+def main():
+    init_logging()
+
+    # Robot: LeKiwi client — make sure lekiwi_host is already running on the robot.
+    robot_config = LeKiwiClientConfig(remote_ip="172.18.134.136", id="lekiwi")
+
+    # Policy: load the pretrained config.  ``pretrained_path`` is read downstream
+    # by ``build_rollout_context`` to reload the full model.
+    policy_config = PreTrainedConfig.from_pretrained(HF_MODEL_ID)
+    policy_config.pretrained_path = HF_MODEL_ID
+
+    # Assemble the rollout config: base strategy (no recording) + sync inference.
+    cfg = RolloutConfig(
+        robot=robot_config,
+        policy=policy_config,
+        strategy=BaseStrategyConfig(),
+        inference=SyncInferenceConfig(),
+        fps=FPS,
+        duration=DURATION_SEC,
+        task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
+    )
+
+    # Graceful Ctrl-C: the strategy loop exits when shutdown_event is set.
+    signal_handler = ProcessSignalHandler(use_threads=True)
+
+    # Build the context (connects robot, loads policy, wires the inference strategy).
+    # No custom processors here — LeKiwi runs on raw joint features.
+    ctx = build_rollout_context(cfg, signal_handler.shutdown_event)
+
+    strategy = BaseStrategy(cfg.strategy)
+    try:
+        strategy.setup(ctx)
+        strategy.run(ctx)
+    finally:
+        strategy.teardown(ctx)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

examples/phone_to_so100/evaluate.py

@@ -14,13 +14,17 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+import logging
+import time
+
 from lerobot.cameras.opencv import OpenCVCameraConfig
-from lerobot.common.control_utils import init_keyboard_listener
+from lerobot.common.control_utils import init_keyboard_listener, predict_action
 from lerobot.configs import FeatureType, PolicyFeature
 from lerobot.datasets import LeRobotDataset, aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features, create_initial_features
 from lerobot.model.kinematics import RobotKinematics
 from lerobot.policies import make_pre_post_processors
 from lerobot.policies.act import ACTPolicy
+from lerobot.policies.utils import make_robot_action
 from lerobot.processor import (
     RobotProcessorPipeline,
     make_default_teleop_action_processor,
@@ -34,11 +38,12 @@ from lerobot.robots.so_follower.robot_kinematic_processor import (
     ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE,
     InverseKinematicsEEToJoints,
 )
-from lerobot.scripts.lerobot_record import record_loop
 from lerobot.types import RobotAction, RobotObservation
-from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import combine_feature_dicts
+from lerobot.utils.constants import ACTION, OBS_STR
+from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import build_dataset_frame, combine_feature_dicts
+from lerobot.utils.robot_utils import precise_sleep
 from lerobot.utils.utils import log_say
-from lerobot.utils.visualization_utils import init_rerun
+from lerobot.utils.visualization_utils import init_rerun, log_rerun_data
 
 NUM_EPISODES = 5
 FPS = 30
@@ -49,6 +54,9 @@ HF_DATASET_ID = "<hf_username>/<dataset_repo_id>"
 
 
 def main():
+    # NOTE: For production policy deployment, use `lerobot-rollout` CLI instead.
+    # This script provides a self-contained example for educational purposes.
+
     # Create the robot configuration & robot
     camera_config = {"front": OpenCVCameraConfig(index_or_path=0, width=640, height=480, fps=FPS)}
     robot_config = SO100FollowerConfig(
@@ -143,43 +151,67 @@ def main():
             raise ValueError("Robot is not connected!")
 
         print("Starting evaluate loop...")
+        control_interval = 1 / FPS
         episode_idx = 0
         for episode_idx in range(NUM_EPISODES):
             log_say(f"Running inference, recording eval episode {episode_idx + 1} of {NUM_EPISODES}")
 
-            # Main record loop
-            record_loop(
-                robot=robot,
-                events=events,
-                fps=FPS,
-                policy=policy,
-                preprocessor=preprocessor,  # Pass the pre and post policy processors
-                postprocessor=postprocessor,
-                dataset=dataset,
-                control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
-                single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
-                display_data=True,
-                teleop_action_processor=make_default_teleop_action_processor(),
-                robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
-                robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor,
-            )
+            # Inline evaluation loop: predict actions and send to robot
+            timestamp = 0
+            start_episode_t = time.perf_counter()
+            while timestamp < EPISODE_TIME_SEC:
+                start_loop_t = time.perf_counter()
+
+                if events["exit_early"]:
+                    events["exit_early"] = False
+                    break
+
+                # Get robot observation
+                obs = robot.get_observation()
+                obs_processed = robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor(obs)
+                observation_frame = build_dataset_frame(dataset.features, obs_processed, prefix=OBS_STR)
+
+                # Predict action using the policy
+                action_tensor = predict_action(
+                    observation=observation_frame,
+                    policy=policy,
+                    device=policy.config.device,
+                    preprocessor=preprocessor,
+                    postprocessor=postprocessor,
+                    use_amp=policy.config.device.type == "cuda",
+                    task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
+                    robot_type=robot.name,
+                )
+
+                # Convert policy output to robot action dict
+                action_values = make_robot_action(action_tensor, dataset.features)
+
+                # Process and send action to robot (EE -> joints via IK)
+                robot_action_to_send = robot_ee_to_joints_processor((action_values, obs))
+                robot.send_action(robot_action_to_send)
+
+                # Write to dataset
+                action_frame = build_dataset_frame(dataset.features, action_values, prefix=ACTION)
+                frame = {**observation_frame, **action_frame, "task": TASK_DESCRIPTION}
+                dataset.add_frame(frame)
+
+                log_rerun_data(observation=obs_processed, action=action_values)
+
+                dt_s = time.perf_counter() - start_loop_t
+                sleep_time_s = control_interval - dt_s
+                if sleep_time_s < 0:
+                    logging.warning(
+                        f"Evaluate loop is running slower ({1 / dt_s:.1f} Hz) than the target FPS ({FPS} Hz)."
+                    )
+                precise_sleep(max(sleep_time_s, 0.0))
+                timestamp = time.perf_counter() - start_episode_t
 
             # Reset the environment if not stopping or re-recording
             if not events["stop_recording"] and (
                 (episode_idx < NUM_EPISODES - 1) or events["rerecord_episode"]
             ):
                 log_say("Reset the environment")
-                record_loop(
-                    robot=robot,
-                    events=events,
-                    fps=FPS,
-                    control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
-                    single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
-                    display_data=True,
-                    teleop_action_processor=make_default_teleop_action_processor(),
-                    robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
-                    robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor,
-                )
+                log_say("Waiting for environment reset, press right arrow key when ready...")
 
             if events["rerecord_episode"]:
                 log_say("Re-record episode")
@@ -190,7 +222,6 @@ def main():
 
             # Save episode
             dataset.save_episode()
-            episode_idx += 1
     finally:
         # Clean up
         log_say("Stop recording")

examples/phone_to_so100/record.py

@@ -65,14 +65,15 @@ def main():
     robot = SO100Follower(robot_config)
     phone = Phone(teleop_config)
 
-    # NOTE: It is highly recommended to use the urdf in the SO-ARM100 repo: https://github.com/TheRobotStudio/SO-ARM100/blob/main/Simulation/SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf
+    # NOTE: It is highly recommended to use the urdf in the SO-ARM100 repo:
+    #   https://github.com/TheRobotStudio/SO-ARM100/blob/main/Simulation/SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf
     kinematics_solver = RobotKinematics(
         urdf_path="./SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf",
         target_frame_name="gripper_frame_link",
         joint_names=list(robot.bus.motors.keys()),
     )
 
-    # Build pipeline to convert phone action to EE action
+    # Build pipeline to convert phone action to EE action (with gripper velocity mapped to joint).
     phone_to_robot_ee_pose_processor = RobotProcessorPipeline[
         tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction
     ](
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ def main():
         to_output=transition_to_robot_action,
     )
 
-    # Build pipeline to convert EE action to joints action
+    # Build pipeline to convert EE action to joints action (IK).
     robot_ee_to_joints_processor = RobotProcessorPipeline[tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction](
         steps=[
             InverseKinematicsEEToJoints(
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ def main():
         to_output=transition_to_robot_action,
     )
 
-    # Build pipeline to convert joint observation to EE observation
+    # Build pipeline to convert joint observation to EE observation (FK).
     robot_joints_to_ee_pose = RobotProcessorPipeline[RobotObservation, RobotObservation](
         steps=[
             ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE(
@@ -118,13 +119,12 @@ def main():
         to_output=transition_to_observation,
     )
 
-    # Create the dataset
+    # Create the dataset, deriving features from the pipelines so the on-disk schema
+    # matches exactly what the pipelines produce at runtime.
     dataset = LeRobotDataset.create(
         repo_id=HF_REPO_ID,
         fps=FPS,
         features=combine_feature_dicts(
-            # Run the feature contract of the pipelines
-            # This tells you how the features would look like after the pipeline steps
             aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features(
                 pipeline=phone_to_robot_ee_pose_processor,
                 initial_features=create_initial_features(action=phone.action_features),
@@ -163,14 +163,14 @@ def main():
                 robot=robot,
                 events=events,
                 fps=FPS,
+                teleop_action_processor=phone_to_robot_ee_pose_processor,
+                robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
+                robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose,
                 teleop=phone,
                 dataset=dataset,
                 control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
                 single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
                 display_data=True,
-                teleop_action_processor=phone_to_robot_ee_pose_processor,
-                robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
-                robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose,
             )
 
             # Reset the environment if not stopping or re-recording
@@ -182,13 +182,13 @@ def main():
                     robot=robot,
                     events=events,
                     fps=FPS,
+                    teleop_action_processor=phone_to_robot_ee_pose_processor,
+                    robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
+                    robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose,
                     teleop=phone,
                     control_time_s=RESET_TIME_SEC,
                     single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
                     display_data=True,
-                    teleop_action_processor=phone_to_robot_ee_pose_processor,
-                    robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
-                    robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose,
                 )
 
             if events["rerecord_episode"]:

examples/phone_to_so100/rollout.py

@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+# !/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Run a trained EE-space policy on SO100 (phone-trained) without recording.
+
+Mirrors ``examples/so100_to_so100_EE/rollout.py`` — the model was trained
+with phone teleoperation in EE space, so at deployment we only need the
+joint↔EE conversion on the robot side; the phone is not used.
+
+Uses :class:`BaseStrategy` (no recording) + :class:`SyncInferenceConfig`
+(inline policy call).  For recording during rollout, switch to Sentry,
+Highlight, or DAgger via ``lerobot-rollout --strategy.type=...``.
+"""
+
+from lerobot.cameras.opencv import OpenCVCameraConfig
+from lerobot.configs import PreTrainedConfig
+from lerobot.model.kinematics import RobotKinematics
+from lerobot.processor import (
+    RobotProcessorPipeline,
+    observation_to_transition,
+    robot_action_observation_to_transition,
+    transition_to_observation,
+    transition_to_robot_action,
+)
+from lerobot.robots.so_follower import SO100Follower, SO100FollowerConfig
+from lerobot.robots.so_follower.robot_kinematic_processor import (
+    ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE,
+    InverseKinematicsEEToJoints,
+)
+from lerobot.rollout import BaseStrategyConfig, RolloutConfig, build_rollout_context
+from lerobot.rollout.inference import SyncInferenceConfig
+from lerobot.rollout.strategies import BaseStrategy
+from lerobot.types import RobotAction, RobotObservation
+from lerobot.utils.process import ProcessSignalHandler
+from lerobot.utils.utils import init_logging
+
+FPS = 30
+DURATION_SEC = 60
+TASK_DESCRIPTION = "My task description"
+HF_MODEL_ID = "<hf_username>/<model_repo_id>"
+
+
+def main():
+    init_logging()
+
+    camera_config = {"front": OpenCVCameraConfig(index_or_path=0, width=640, height=480, fps=FPS)}
+    robot_config = SO100FollowerConfig(
+        port="/dev/tty.usbmodem58760434471",
+        id="my_awesome_follower_arm",
+        cameras=camera_config,
+        use_degrees=True,
+    )
+
+    # Peek at motor names once to build the kinematic solver.
+    temp_robot = SO100Follower(robot_config)
+    motor_names = list(temp_robot.bus.motors.keys())
+
+    kinematics_solver = RobotKinematics(
+        urdf_path="./SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf",
+        target_frame_name="gripper_frame_link",
+        joint_names=motor_names,
+    )
+
+    robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor = RobotProcessorPipeline[RobotObservation, RobotObservation](
+        steps=[ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE(kinematics=kinematics_solver, motor_names=motor_names)],
+        to_transition=observation_to_transition,
+        to_output=transition_to_observation,
+    )
+
+    robot_ee_to_joints_processor = RobotProcessorPipeline[tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction](
+        steps=[
+            InverseKinematicsEEToJoints(
+                kinematics=kinematics_solver,
+                motor_names=motor_names,
+                initial_guess_current_joints=True,
+            ),
+        ],
+        to_transition=robot_action_observation_to_transition,
+        to_output=transition_to_robot_action,
+    )
+
+    policy_config = PreTrainedConfig.from_pretrained(HF_MODEL_ID)
+    policy_config.pretrained_path = HF_MODEL_ID
+
+    cfg = RolloutConfig(
+        robot=robot_config,
+        policy=policy_config,
+        strategy=BaseStrategyConfig(),
+        inference=SyncInferenceConfig(),
+        fps=FPS,
+        duration=DURATION_SEC,
+        task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
+    )
+
+    signal_handler = ProcessSignalHandler(use_threads=True)
+
+    ctx = build_rollout_context(
+        cfg,
+        signal_handler.shutdown_event,
+        robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
+        robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor,
+    )
+
+    strategy = BaseStrategy(cfg.strategy)
+    try:
+        strategy.setup(ctx)
+        strategy.run(ctx)
+    finally:
+        strategy.teardown(ctx)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py

@@ -1,673 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-
-# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
-#
-# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-# You may obtain a copy of the License at
-#
-#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-# limitations under the License.
-
-"""
-Demo script showing how to use Real-Time Chunking (RTC) with action chunking policies on real robots.
-
-This script demonstrates:
-1. Creating a robot and policy (SmolVLA, Pi0, etc.) with RTC
-2. Consuming actions from the policy while the robot executes
-3. Periodically requesting new action chunks in the background using threads
-4. Managing action buffers and timing for real-time operation
-
-For simulation environments, see eval_with_simulation.py
-
-Usage:
-    # Run RTC with Real robot with RTC
-    uv run examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py \
-        --policy.path=<USER>/smolvla_check_rtc_last3 \
-        --policy.device=mps \
-        --rtc.enabled=true \
-        --rtc.execution_horizon=20 \
-        --robot.type=so100_follower \
-        --robot.port=/dev/tty.usbmodem58FA0834591 \
-        --robot.id=so100_follower \
-        --robot.cameras="{ gripper: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 1, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}, front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
-        --task="Move green small object into the purple platform" \
-        --duration=120
-
-    # Run RTC with Real robot without RTC
-    uv run examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py \
-        --policy.path=<USER>/smolvla_check_rtc_last3 \
-        --policy.device=mps \
-        --rtc.enabled=false \
-        --robot.type=so100_follower \
-        --robot.port=/dev/tty.usbmodem58FA0834591 \
-        --robot.id=so100_follower \
-        --robot.cameras="{ gripper: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 1, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}, front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
-        --task="Move green small object into the purple platform" \
-        --duration=120
-
-    # Run RTC with Real robot with pi0.5 policy
-    uv run examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py \
-        --policy.path=<USER>/pi05_check_rtc \
-        --policy.device=mps \
-        --rtc.enabled=true \
-        --rtc.execution_horizon=20 \
-        --robot.type=so100_follower \
-        --robot.port=/dev/tty.usbmodem58FA0834591 \
-        --robot.id=so100_follower \
-        --robot.cameras="{ gripper: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 0, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}, front: {type: opencv, index_or_path: 1, width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}}" \
-        --task="Move green small object into the purple platform" \
-        --duration=120
-
-    # Run RTC with bi_openarm_follower (dual-arm OpenArms) and pi0.5 policy
-    python examples/rtc/eval_with_real_robot.py \
-        --policy.path=lerobot-data-collection/folding_final \
-        --robot.type=bi_openarm_follower \
-        --robot.cameras='{left_wrist: {type: opencv, index_or_path: "/dev/video4", width: 1280, height: 720, fps: 30}, base: {type: opencv, index_or_path: "/dev/video2", width: 640, height: 480, fps: 30}, right_wrist: {type: opencv, index_or_path: "/dev/video0", width: 1280, height: 720, fps: 30}}' \
-        --robot.left_arm_config.port=can0 \
-        --robot.left_arm_config.side=left \
-        --robot.left_arm_config.can_interface=socketcan \
-        --robot.left_arm_config.disable_torque_on_disconnect=true \
-        --robot.left_arm_config.max_relative_target=8.0 \
-        --robot.right_arm_config.port=can1 \
-        --robot.right_arm_config.side=right \
-        --robot.right_arm_config.can_interface=socketcan \
-        --robot.right_arm_config.disable_torque_on_disconnect=true \
-        --robot.right_arm_config.max_relative_target=8.0 \
-        --task="Fold the T-shirt properly" \
-        --fps=30 \
-        --duration=2000 \
-        --interpolation_multiplier=3 \
-        --rtc.enabled=true \
-        --rtc.execution_horizon=20 \
-        --rtc.max_guidance_weight=5.0 \
-        --rtc.prefix_attention_schedule=LINEAR \
-        --device=cuda
-"""
-
-import logging
-import math
-import sys
-import time
-import traceback
-from dataclasses import dataclass, field
-from threading import Event, Lock, Thread
-
-import torch
-from torch import Tensor
-
-from lerobot.cameras.opencv import OpenCVCameraConfig  # noqa: F401
-from lerobot.cameras.realsense import RealSenseCameraConfig  # noqa: F401
-from lerobot.cameras.zmq import ZMQCameraConfig  # noqa: F401
-from lerobot.configs import PreTrainedConfig, RTCAttentionSchedule, parser
-from lerobot.policies import get_policy_class, make_pre_post_processors
-from lerobot.policies.rtc import ActionInterpolator, ActionQueue, LatencyTracker, RTCConfig
-from lerobot.processor import (
-    NormalizerProcessorStep,
-    RelativeActionsProcessorStep,
-    TransitionKey,
-    create_transition,
-    make_default_robot_action_processor,
-    make_default_robot_observation_processor,
-    to_relative_actions,
-)
-from lerobot.rl.process import ProcessSignalHandler
-from lerobot.robots import (  # noqa: F401
-    Robot,
-    RobotConfig,
-    bi_openarm_follower,
-    bi_so_follower,
-    koch_follower,
-    so_follower,
-    unitree_g1,
-)
-from lerobot.robots.utils import make_robot_from_config
-from lerobot.utils.constants import OBS_IMAGES, OBS_STATE
-from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import build_dataset_frame, hw_to_dataset_features
-from lerobot.utils.hub import HubMixin
-from lerobot.utils.utils import init_logging
-
-logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
-logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-
-class RobotWrapper:
-    def __init__(self, robot: Robot):
-        self.robot = robot
-        self.lock = Lock()
-
-    def get_observation(self) -> dict[str, Tensor]:
-        with self.lock:
-            return self.robot.get_observation()
-
-    def send_action(self, action: Tensor):
-        with self.lock:
-            self.robot.send_action(action)
-
-    def observation_features(self) -> list[str]:
-        with self.lock:
-            return self.robot.observation_features
-
-    def action_features(self) -> list[str]:
-        with self.lock:
-            return self.robot.action_features
-
-
-@dataclass
-class RTCDemoConfig(HubMixin):
-    """Configuration for RTC demo with action chunking policies and real robots."""
-
-    # Policy configuration
-    policy: PreTrainedConfig | None = None
-
-    # Robot configuration
-    robot: RobotConfig | None = None
-
-    # RTC configuration
-    rtc: RTCConfig = field(
-        default_factory=lambda: RTCConfig(
-            execution_horizon=10,
-            max_guidance_weight=1.0,
-            prefix_attention_schedule=RTCAttentionSchedule.EXP,
-        )
-    )
-
-    # Demo parameters
-    duration: float = 30.0  # Duration to run the demo (seconds)
-    fps: float = 10.0  # Action execution frequency (Hz)
-    interpolation_multiplier: int = 1  # Control rate multiplier (1=off, 2=2x, 3=3x)
-
-    # Compute device
-    device: str | None = None  # Device to run on (cuda, cpu, auto)
-
-    # Get new actions horizon. The amount of executed steps after which will be requested new actions.
-    # It should be higher than inference delay + execution horizon.
-    action_queue_size_to_get_new_actions: int = 30
-
-    # Task to execute
-    task: str = field(default="", metadata={"help": "Task to execute"})
-
-    # Torch compile configuration
-    use_torch_compile: bool = field(
-        default=False,
-        metadata={"help": "Use torch.compile for faster inference (PyTorch 2.0+)"},
-    )
-
-    torch_compile_backend: str = field(
-        default="inductor",
-        metadata={"help": "Backend for torch.compile (inductor, aot_eager, cudagraphs)"},
-    )
-
-    torch_compile_mode: str = field(
-        default="default",
-        metadata={"help": "Compilation mode (default, reduce-overhead, max-autotune)"},
-    )
-
-    torch_compile_disable_cudagraphs: bool = field(
-        default=True,
-        metadata={
-            "help": "Disable CUDA graphs in torch.compile. Required due to in-place tensor "
-            "operations in denoising loop (x_t += dt * v_t) which cause tensor aliasing issues."
-        },
-    )
-
-    def __post_init__(self):
-        # HACK: We parse again the cli args here to get the pretrained path if there was one.
-        policy_path = parser.get_path_arg("policy")
-        if policy_path:
-            cli_overrides = parser.get_cli_overrides("policy")
-            self.policy = PreTrainedConfig.from_pretrained(policy_path, cli_overrides=cli_overrides)
-            self.policy.pretrained_path = policy_path
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("Policy path is required")
-
-        # Validate that robot configuration is provided
-        if self.robot is None:
-            raise ValueError("Robot configuration must be provided")
-
-    @classmethod
-    def __get_path_fields__(cls) -> list[str]:
-        """This enables the parser to load config from the policy using `--policy.path=local/dir`"""
-        return ["policy"]
-
-
-def is_image_key(k: str) -> bool:
-    return k.startswith(OBS_IMAGES)
-
-
-def _reanchor_relative_rtc_prefix(
-    prev_actions_absolute: Tensor,
-    current_state: Tensor,
-    relative_step: RelativeActionsProcessorStep,
-    normalizer_step: NormalizerProcessorStep | None,
-    policy_device: torch.device | str,
-) -> Tensor:
-    """Convert absolute leftovers into model-space for relative-action RTC policies.
-
-    When a policy uses relative actions, the RTC prefix (leftover actions from
-    the previous chunk) is stored in absolute space. Before feeding it back to
-    the policy we need to re-express it relative to the *current* robot state
-    and then re-normalize.
-    """
-    state = current_state.detach().cpu()
-    if state.dim() == 1:
-        state = state.unsqueeze(0)
-
-    action_cpu = prev_actions_absolute.detach().cpu()
-    mask = relative_step._build_mask(action_cpu.shape[-1])
-    relative_actions = to_relative_actions(action_cpu, state, mask)
-
-    transition = create_transition(action=relative_actions)
-    if normalizer_step is not None:
-        transition = normalizer_step(transition)
-
-    return transition[TransitionKey.ACTION].to(policy_device)
-
-
-def get_actions(
-    policy,
-    robot: RobotWrapper,
-    robot_observation_processor,
-    action_queue: ActionQueue,
-    shutdown_event: Event,
-    cfg: RTCDemoConfig,
-):
-    """Thread function to request action chunks from the policy.
-
-    Args:
-        policy: The policy instance (SmolVLA, Pi0, etc.)
-        robot: The robot instance for getting observations
-        robot_observation_processor: Processor for raw robot observations
-        action_queue: Queue to put new action chunks
-        shutdown_event: Event to signal shutdown
-        cfg: Demo configuration
-    """
-    try:
-        logger.info("[GET_ACTIONS] Starting get actions thread")
-
-        latency_tracker = LatencyTracker()  # Track latency of action chunks
-        fps = cfg.fps
-        time_per_chunk = 1.0 / fps
-
-        # Only keep .pos joints + camera streams if the policy was trained on positions,
-        # not the full pos/vel/torque state the robot exposes.
-        observation_features_hw = {
-            key: value
-            for key, value in robot.observation_features().items()
-            if key.endswith(".pos") or isinstance(value, tuple)
-        }
-
-        dataset_features = hw_to_dataset_features(observation_features_hw, "observation")
-        policy_device = policy.config.device
-
-        # Load preprocessor and postprocessor from pretrained files
-        # The stats are embedded in the processor .safetensors files
-        logger.info(f"[GET_ACTIONS] Loading preprocessor/postprocessor from {cfg.policy.pretrained_path}")
-
-        preprocessor, postprocessor = make_pre_post_processors(
-            policy_cfg=cfg.policy,
-            pretrained_path=cfg.policy.pretrained_path,
-            dataset_stats=None,  # Will load from pretrained processor files
-            preprocessor_overrides={
-                "device_processor": {"device": cfg.policy.device},
-            },
-        )
-
-        logger.info("[GET_ACTIONS] Preprocessor/postprocessor loaded successfully with embedded stats")
-
-        relative_step = next(
-            (s for s in preprocessor.steps if isinstance(s, RelativeActionsProcessorStep) and s.enabled),
-            None,
-        )
-        normalizer_step = next(
-            (s for s in preprocessor.steps if isinstance(s, NormalizerProcessorStep)),
-            None,
-        )
-        if relative_step is not None:
-            if relative_step.action_names is None:
-                cfg_names = getattr(cfg.policy, "action_feature_names", None)
-                if cfg_names:
-                    relative_step.action_names = list(cfg_names)
-                else:
-                    relative_step.action_names = [
-                        k for k in robot.robot.action_features if k.endswith(".pos")
-                    ]
-            logger.info("[GET_ACTIONS] Relative actions enabled: will re-anchor RTC prefix")
-
-        get_actions_threshold = cfg.action_queue_size_to_get_new_actions
-
-        if not cfg.rtc.enabled:
-            get_actions_threshold = 0
-
-        while not shutdown_event.is_set():
-            if action_queue.qsize() <= get_actions_threshold:
-                current_time = time.perf_counter()
-                action_index_before_inference = action_queue.get_action_index()
-                prev_actions = action_queue.get_left_over()
-
-                inference_latency = latency_tracker.max()
-                inference_delay = math.ceil(inference_latency / time_per_chunk)
-
-                obs = robot.get_observation()
-
-                # Apply robot observation processor
-                obs_processed = robot_observation_processor(obs)
-
-                obs_with_policy_features = build_dataset_frame(
-                    dataset_features, obs_processed, prefix="observation"
-                )
-
-                for name in obs_with_policy_features:
-                    obs_with_policy_features[name] = torch.from_numpy(obs_with_policy_features[name])
-                    if "image" in name:
-                        obs_with_policy_features[name] = (
-                            obs_with_policy_features[name].type(torch.float32) / 255
-                        )
-                        obs_with_policy_features[name] = (
-                            obs_with_policy_features[name].permute(2, 0, 1).contiguous()
-                        )
-                    obs_with_policy_features[name] = obs_with_policy_features[name].unsqueeze(0)
-                    obs_with_policy_features[name] = obs_with_policy_features[name].to(policy_device)
-
-                obs_with_policy_features["task"] = [cfg.task]  # Task should be a list, not a string!
-                obs_with_policy_features["robot_type"] = (
-                    robot.robot.name if hasattr(robot.robot, "name") else ""
-                )
-
-                preproceseded_obs = preprocessor(obs_with_policy_features)
-
-                # Re-anchor leftover actions for relative-action policies.
-                # We need the *postprocessed* (absolute) leftover, not the original
-                # (normalized/relative) one that get_left_over() returns.
-                if (
-                    prev_actions is not None
-                    and relative_step is not None
-                    and OBS_STATE in obs_with_policy_features
-                ):
-                    with action_queue.lock:
-                        if action_queue.queue is not None:
-                            prev_actions_abs = action_queue.queue[action_queue.last_index :].clone()
-                        else:
-                            prev_actions_abs = None
-                    if prev_actions_abs is not None and prev_actions_abs.numel() > 0:
-                        prev_actions = _reanchor_relative_rtc_prefix(
-                            prev_actions_absolute=prev_actions_abs,
-                            current_state=obs_with_policy_features[OBS_STATE],
-                            relative_step=relative_step,
-                            normalizer_step=normalizer_step,
-                            policy_device=policy_device,
-                        )
-
-                # Generate actions WITH RTC
-                actions = policy.predict_action_chunk(
-                    preproceseded_obs,
-                    inference_delay=inference_delay,
-                    prev_chunk_left_over=prev_actions,
-                )
-
-                # Store original actions (before postprocessing) for RTC
-                original_actions = actions.squeeze(0).clone()
-
-                postprocessed_actions = postprocessor(actions)
-
-                postprocessed_actions = postprocessed_actions.squeeze(0)
-
-                new_latency = time.perf_counter() - current_time
-                new_delay = math.ceil(new_latency / time_per_chunk)
-                latency_tracker.add(new_latency)
-
-                if cfg.action_queue_size_to_get_new_actions < cfg.rtc.execution_horizon + new_delay:
-                    logger.warning(
-                        "[GET_ACTIONS] cfg.action_queue_size_to_get_new_actions Too small, It should be higher than inference delay + execution horizon."
-                    )
-
-                action_queue.merge(
-                    original_actions, postprocessed_actions, new_delay, action_index_before_inference
-                )
-            else:
-                # Small sleep to prevent busy waiting
-                time.sleep(0.1)
-
-        logger.info("[GET_ACTIONS] get actions thread shutting down")
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.error(f"[GET_ACTIONS] Fatal exception in get_actions thread: {e}")
-        logger.error(traceback.format_exc())
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-
-def actor_control(
-    robot: RobotWrapper,
-    robot_action_processor,
-    action_queue: ActionQueue,
-    shutdown_event: Event,
-    cfg: RTCDemoConfig,
-):
-    """Thread function to execute actions on the robot.
-
-    Args:
-        robot: The robot instance
-        action_queue: Queue to get actions from
-        shutdown_event: Event to signal shutdown
-        cfg: Demo configuration
-    """
-    try:
-        logger.info("[ACTOR] Starting actor thread")
-
-        action_keys = [k for k in robot.action_features() if k.endswith(".pos")]
-
-        action_count = 0
-        interpolator = ActionInterpolator(multiplier=cfg.interpolation_multiplier)
-        action_interval = interpolator.get_control_interval(cfg.fps)
-
-        while not shutdown_event.is_set():
-            start_time = time.perf_counter()
-
-            if interpolator.needs_new_action():
-                new_action = action_queue.get()
-                if new_action is not None:
-                    interpolator.add(new_action.cpu())
-
-            action = interpolator.get()
-            if action is not None:
-                action = action.cpu()
-                action_dict = {key: action[i].item() for i, key in enumerate(action_keys)}
-                action_processed = robot_action_processor((action_dict, None))
-                robot.send_action(action_processed)
-                action_count += 1
-
-            dt_s = time.perf_counter() - start_time
-            time.sleep(max(0, (action_interval - dt_s) - 0.001))
-
-        logger.info(f"[ACTOR] Actor thread shutting down. Total actions executed: {action_count}")
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.error(f"[ACTOR] Fatal exception in actor_control thread: {e}")
-        logger.error(traceback.format_exc())
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-
-def _apply_torch_compile(policy, cfg: RTCDemoConfig):
-    """Apply torch.compile to the policy's predict_action_chunk method.
-
-    Args:
-        policy: Policy instance to compile
-        cfg: Configuration containing torch compile settings
-
-    Returns:
-        Policy with compiled predict_action_chunk method
-    """
-
-    # PI models handle their own compilation
-    if policy.type == "pi05" or policy.type == "pi0":
-        return policy
-
-    try:
-        # Check if torch.compile is available (PyTorch 2.0+)
-        if not hasattr(torch, "compile"):
-            logger.warning(
-                f"torch.compile is not available. Requires PyTorch 2.0+. "
-                f"Current version: {torch.__version__}. Skipping compilation."
-            )
-            return policy
-
-        logger.info("Applying torch.compile to predict_action_chunk...")
-        logger.info(f"  Backend: {cfg.torch_compile_backend}")
-        logger.info(f"  Mode: {cfg.torch_compile_mode}")
-        logger.info(f"  Disable CUDA graphs: {cfg.torch_compile_disable_cudagraphs}")
-
-        # Compile the predict_action_chunk method
-        # - CUDA graphs disabled to prevent tensor aliasing from in-place ops (x_t += dt * v_t)
-        compile_kwargs = {
-            "backend": cfg.torch_compile_backend,
-            "mode": cfg.torch_compile_mode,
-        }
-
-        # Disable CUDA graphs if requested (prevents tensor aliasing issues)
-        if cfg.torch_compile_disable_cudagraphs:
-            compile_kwargs["options"] = {"triton.cudagraphs": False}
-
-        original_method = policy.predict_action_chunk
-        compiled_method = torch.compile(original_method, **compile_kwargs)
-        policy.predict_action_chunk = compiled_method
-        logger.info("✓ Successfully compiled predict_action_chunk")
-
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.error(f"Failed to apply torch.compile: {e}")
-        logger.warning("Continuing without torch.compile")
-
-    return policy
-
-
-@parser.wrap()
-def demo_cli(cfg: RTCDemoConfig):
-    """Main entry point for RTC demo with draccus configuration."""
-
-    # Initialize logging
-    init_logging()
-
-    logger.info(f"Using device: {cfg.device}")
-
-    # Setup signal handler for graceful shutdown
-    signal_handler = ProcessSignalHandler(use_threads=True, display_pid=False)
-    shutdown_event = signal_handler.shutdown_event
-
-    policy = None
-    robot = None
-    get_actions_thread = None
-    actor_thread = None
-
-    policy_class = get_policy_class(cfg.policy.type)
-
-    # Load config and set compile_model for pi0/pi05 models
-    config = PreTrainedConfig.from_pretrained(cfg.policy.pretrained_path)
-
-    if cfg.policy.type == "pi05" or cfg.policy.type == "pi0":
-        config.compile_model = cfg.use_torch_compile
-
-    if config.use_peft:
-        from peft import PeftConfig, PeftModel
-
-        peft_pretrained_path = cfg.policy.pretrained_path
-        peft_config = PeftConfig.from_pretrained(peft_pretrained_path)
-
-        policy = policy_class.from_pretrained(
-            pretrained_name_or_path=peft_config.base_model_name_or_path, config=config
-        )
-        policy = PeftModel.from_pretrained(policy, peft_pretrained_path, config=peft_config)
-    else:
-        policy = policy_class.from_pretrained(cfg.policy.pretrained_path, config=config)
-
-    # Turn on RTC
-    policy.config.rtc_config = cfg.rtc
-
-    # Init RTC processort, as by default if RTC disabled in the config
-    # The processor won't be created
-    policy.init_rtc_processor()
-
-    assert policy.name in ["smolvla", "pi05", "pi0"], "Only smolvla, pi05, and pi0 are supported for RTC"
-
-    policy = policy.to(cfg.device)
-    policy.eval()
-
-    # Apply torch.compile to predict_action_chunk method if enabled
-    if cfg.use_torch_compile:
-        policy = _apply_torch_compile(policy, cfg)
-
-    # Create robot
-    logger.info(f"Initializing robot: {cfg.robot.type}")
-    robot = make_robot_from_config(cfg.robot)
-    robot.connect()
-    robot_wrapper = RobotWrapper(robot)
-
-    # Create robot observation processor
-    robot_observation_processor = make_default_robot_observation_processor()
-    robot_action_processor = make_default_robot_action_processor()
-
-    # Create action queue for communication between threads
-    action_queue = ActionQueue(cfg.rtc)
-
-    # Start chunk requester thread
-    get_actions_thread = Thread(
-        target=get_actions,
-        args=(policy, robot_wrapper, robot_observation_processor, action_queue, shutdown_event, cfg),
-        daemon=True,
-        name="GetActions",
-    )
-    get_actions_thread.start()
-    logger.info("Started get actions thread")
-
-    # Start action executor thread
-    actor_thread = Thread(
-        target=actor_control,
-        args=(robot_wrapper, robot_action_processor, action_queue, shutdown_event, cfg),
-        daemon=True,
-        name="Actor",
-    )
-    actor_thread.start()
-    logger.info("Started actor thread")
-
-    logger.info("Started stop by duration thread")
-
-    # Main thread monitors for duration or shutdown
-    logger.info(f"Running demo for {cfg.duration} seconds...")
-    start_time = time.time()
-
-    while not shutdown_event.is_set() and (time.time() - start_time) < cfg.duration:
-        time.sleep(10)
-
-        # Log queue status periodically
-        if int(time.time() - start_time) % 5 == 0:
-            logger.info(f"[MAIN] Action queue size: {action_queue.qsize()}")
-
-        if time.time() - start_time > cfg.duration:
-            break
-
-    logger.info("Demo duration reached or shutdown requested")
-
-    # Signal shutdown
-    shutdown_event.set()
-
-    # Wait for threads to finish
-    if get_actions_thread and get_actions_thread.is_alive():
-        logger.info("Waiting for chunk requester thread to finish...")
-        get_actions_thread.join()
-
-    if actor_thread and actor_thread.is_alive():
-        logger.info("Waiting for action executor thread to finish...")
-        actor_thread.join()
-
-    # Cleanup robot
-    if robot:
-        robot.disconnect()
-        logger.info("Robot disconnected")
-
-    logger.info("Cleanup completed")
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    demo_cli()
-    logging.info("RTC demo finished")

examples/so100_to_so100_EE/evaluate.py

@@ -14,13 +14,17 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+import logging
+import time
+
 from lerobot.cameras.opencv import OpenCVCameraConfig
-from lerobot.common.control_utils import init_keyboard_listener
+from lerobot.common.control_utils import init_keyboard_listener, predict_action
 from lerobot.configs import FeatureType, PolicyFeature
 from lerobot.datasets import LeRobotDataset, aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features, create_initial_features
 from lerobot.model.kinematics import RobotKinematics
 from lerobot.policies import make_pre_post_processors
 from lerobot.policies.act import ACTPolicy
+from lerobot.policies.utils import make_robot_action
 from lerobot.processor import (
     RobotProcessorPipeline,
     make_default_teleop_action_processor,
@@ -34,11 +38,12 @@ from lerobot.robots.so_follower.robot_kinematic_processor import (
     ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE,
     InverseKinematicsEEToJoints,
 )
-from lerobot.scripts.lerobot_record import record_loop
 from lerobot.types import RobotAction, RobotObservation
-from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import combine_feature_dicts
+from lerobot.utils.constants import ACTION, OBS_STR
+from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import build_dataset_frame, combine_feature_dicts
+from lerobot.utils.robot_utils import precise_sleep
 from lerobot.utils.utils import log_say
-from lerobot.utils.visualization_utils import init_rerun
+from lerobot.utils.visualization_utils import init_rerun, log_rerun_data
 
 NUM_EPISODES = 5
 FPS = 30
@@ -49,6 +54,9 @@ HF_DATASET_ID = "<hf_username>/<dataset_repo_id>"
 
 
 def main():
+    # NOTE: For production policy deployment, use `lerobot-rollout` CLI instead.
+    # This script provides a self-contained example for educational purposes.
+
     # Create the robot configuration & robot
     camera_config = {"front": OpenCVCameraConfig(index_or_path=0, width=640, height=480, fps=FPS)}
     robot_config = SO100FollowerConfig(
@@ -143,43 +151,67 @@ def main():
             raise ValueError("Robot is not connected!")
 
         print("Starting evaluate loop...")
+        control_interval = 1 / FPS
         episode_idx = 0
         for episode_idx in range(NUM_EPISODES):
             log_say(f"Running inference, recording eval episode {episode_idx + 1} of {NUM_EPISODES}")
 
-            # Main record loop
-            record_loop(
-                robot=robot,
-                events=events,
-                fps=FPS,
-                policy=policy,
-                preprocessor=preprocessor,  # Pass the pre and post policy processors
-                postprocessor=postprocessor,
-                dataset=dataset,
-                control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
-                single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
-                display_data=True,
-                teleop_action_processor=make_default_teleop_action_processor(),
-                robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
-                robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor,
-            )
+            # Inline evaluation loop: predict actions and send to robot
+            timestamp = 0
+            start_episode_t = time.perf_counter()
+            while timestamp < EPISODE_TIME_SEC:
+                start_loop_t = time.perf_counter()
+
+                if events["exit_early"]:
+                    events["exit_early"] = False
+                    break
+
+                # Get robot observation
+                obs = robot.get_observation()
+                obs_processed = robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor(obs)
+                observation_frame = build_dataset_frame(dataset.features, obs_processed, prefix=OBS_STR)
+
+                # Predict action using the policy
+                action_tensor = predict_action(
+                    observation=observation_frame,
+                    policy=policy,
+                    device=policy.config.device,
+                    preprocessor=preprocessor,
+                    postprocessor=postprocessor,
+                    use_amp=policy.config.device.type == "cuda",
+                    task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
+                    robot_type=robot.name,
+                )
+
+                # Convert policy output to robot action dict
+                action_values = make_robot_action(action_tensor, dataset.features)
+
+                # Process and send action to robot (EE -> joints via IK)
+                robot_action_to_send = robot_ee_to_joints_processor((action_values, obs))
+                robot.send_action(robot_action_to_send)
+
+                # Write to dataset
+                action_frame = build_dataset_frame(dataset.features, action_values, prefix=ACTION)
+                frame = {**observation_frame, **action_frame, "task": TASK_DESCRIPTION}
+                dataset.add_frame(frame)
+
+                log_rerun_data(observation=obs_processed, action=action_values)
+
+                dt_s = time.perf_counter() - start_loop_t
+                sleep_time_s = control_interval - dt_s
+                if sleep_time_s < 0:
+                    logging.warning(
+                        f"Evaluate loop is running slower ({1 / dt_s:.1f} Hz) than the target FPS ({FPS} Hz)."
+                    )
+                precise_sleep(max(sleep_time_s, 0.0))
+                timestamp = time.perf_counter() - start_episode_t
 
             # Reset the environment if not stopping or re-recording
             if not events["stop_recording"] and (
                 (episode_idx < NUM_EPISODES - 1) or events["rerecord_episode"]
             ):
                 log_say("Reset the environment")
-                record_loop(
-                    robot=robot,
-                    events=events,
-                    fps=FPS,
-                    control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
-                    single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
-                    display_data=True,
-                    teleop_action_processor=make_default_teleop_action_processor(),
-                    robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
-                    robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor,
-                )
+                log_say("Waiting for environment reset, press right arrow key when ready...")
 
             if events["rerecord_episode"]:
                 log_say("Re-record episode")
@@ -190,7 +222,6 @@ def main():
 
             # Save episode
             dataset.save_episode()
-            episode_idx += 1
     finally:
         # Clean up
         log_say("Stop recording")

examples/so100_to_so100_EE/record.py

@@ -62,21 +62,20 @@ def main():
     follower = SO100Follower(follower_config)
     leader = SO100Leader(leader_config)
 
-    # NOTE: It is highly recommended to use the urdf in the SO-ARM100 repo: https://github.com/TheRobotStudio/SO-ARM100/blob/main/Simulation/SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf
+    # NOTE: It is highly recommended to use the urdf in the SO-ARM100 repo:
+    #   https://github.com/TheRobotStudio/SO-ARM100/blob/main/Simulation/SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf
     follower_kinematics_solver = RobotKinematics(
         urdf_path="./SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf",
         target_frame_name="gripper_frame_link",
         joint_names=list(follower.bus.motors.keys()),
     )
-
-    # NOTE: It is highly recommended to use the urdf in the SO-ARM100 repo: https://github.com/TheRobotStudio/SO-ARM100/blob/main/Simulation/SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf
     leader_kinematics_solver = RobotKinematics(
         urdf_path="./SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf",
         target_frame_name="gripper_frame_link",
         joint_names=list(leader.bus.motors.keys()),
     )
 
-    # Build pipeline to convert follower joints to EE observation
+    # Build pipeline to convert follower joints to EE observation.
     follower_joints_to_ee = RobotProcessorPipeline[RobotObservation, RobotObservation](
         steps=[
             ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE(
@@ -87,7 +86,7 @@ def main():
         to_output=transition_to_observation,
     )
 
-    # Build pipeline to convert leader joints to EE action
+    # Build pipeline to convert leader joints to EE action.
     leader_joints_to_ee = RobotProcessorPipeline[tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction](
         steps=[
             ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE(
@@ -98,9 +97,9 @@ def main():
         to_output=transition_to_robot_action,
     )
 
-    # Build pipeline to convert EE action to follower joints
+    # Build pipeline to convert EE action to follower joints (with safety bounds).
     ee_to_follower_joints = RobotProcessorPipeline[tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction](
-        [
+        steps=[
             EEBoundsAndSafety(
                 end_effector_bounds={"min": [-1.0, -1.0, -1.0], "max": [1.0, 1.0, 1.0]},
                 max_ee_step_m=0.10,
@@ -115,13 +114,12 @@ def main():
         to_output=transition_to_robot_action,
     )
 
-    # Create the dataset
+    # Create the dataset, deriving features from the pipelines so the on-disk schema
+    # matches exactly what the pipelines produce at runtime.
     dataset = LeRobotDataset.create(
         repo_id=HF_REPO_ID,
         fps=FPS,
         features=combine_feature_dicts(
-            # Run the feature contract of the pipelines
-            # This tells you how the features would look like after the pipeline steps
             aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features(
                 pipeline=leader_joints_to_ee,
                 initial_features=create_initial_features(action=leader.action_features),
@@ -144,7 +142,7 @@ def main():
 
     # Initialize the keyboard listener and rerun visualization
     listener, events = init_keyboard_listener()
-    init_rerun(session_name="recording_phone")
+    init_rerun(session_name="recording_so100_ee")
 
     try:
         if not leader.is_connected or not follower.is_connected:
@@ -160,14 +158,14 @@ def main():
                 robot=follower,
                 events=events,
                 fps=FPS,
+                teleop_action_processor=leader_joints_to_ee,
+                robot_action_processor=ee_to_follower_joints,
+                robot_observation_processor=follower_joints_to_ee,
                 teleop=leader,
                 dataset=dataset,
                 control_time_s=EPISODE_TIME_SEC,
                 single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
                 display_data=True,
-                teleop_action_processor=leader_joints_to_ee,
-                robot_action_processor=ee_to_follower_joints,
-                robot_observation_processor=follower_joints_to_ee,
             )
 
             # Reset the environment if not stopping or re-recording
@@ -179,13 +177,13 @@ def main():
                     robot=follower,
                     events=events,
                     fps=FPS,
+                    teleop_action_processor=leader_joints_to_ee,
+                    robot_action_processor=ee_to_follower_joints,
+                    robot_observation_processor=follower_joints_to_ee,
                     teleop=leader,
                     control_time_s=RESET_TIME_SEC,
                     single_task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
                     display_data=True,
-                    teleop_action_processor=leader_joints_to_ee,
-                    robot_action_processor=ee_to_follower_joints,
-                    robot_observation_processor=follower_joints_to_ee,
                 )
 
             if events["rerecord_episode"]:

examples/so100_to_so100_EE/rollout.py

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+# !/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Run a trained EE-space policy on SO100 without recording (base rollout).
+
+Uses the rollout engine's :class:`BaseStrategy` (autonomous execution,
+no dataset) with :class:`SyncInferenceConfig` (inline policy call per
+control tick).  The custom observation/action processors convert between
+joint space (robot hardware) and end-effector space (policy I/O) via
+forward/inverse kinematics.
+"""
+
+from lerobot.cameras.opencv import OpenCVCameraConfig
+from lerobot.configs import PreTrainedConfig
+from lerobot.model.kinematics import RobotKinematics
+from lerobot.processor import (
+    RobotProcessorPipeline,
+    observation_to_transition,
+    robot_action_observation_to_transition,
+    transition_to_observation,
+    transition_to_robot_action,
+)
+from lerobot.robots.so_follower import SO100Follower, SO100FollowerConfig
+from lerobot.robots.so_follower.robot_kinematic_processor import (
+    ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE,
+    InverseKinematicsEEToJoints,
+)
+from lerobot.rollout import BaseStrategyConfig, RolloutConfig, build_rollout_context
+from lerobot.rollout.inference import SyncInferenceConfig
+from lerobot.rollout.strategies import BaseStrategy
+from lerobot.types import RobotAction, RobotObservation
+from lerobot.utils.process import ProcessSignalHandler
+from lerobot.utils.utils import init_logging
+
+FPS = 30
+DURATION_SEC = 60
+TASK_DESCRIPTION = "My task description"
+HF_MODEL_ID = "<hf_username>/<model_repo_id>"
+
+
+def main():
+    init_logging()
+
+    # Robot configuration — the rollout engine will connect it inside build_rollout_context.
+    camera_config = {"front": OpenCVCameraConfig(index_or_path=0, width=640, height=480, fps=FPS)}
+    robot_config = SO100FollowerConfig(
+        port="/dev/tty.usbmodem5A460814411",
+        id="my_awesome_follower_arm",
+        cameras=camera_config,
+        use_degrees=True,
+    )
+
+    # Kinematic solver: we need the motor-name list, so peek at the robot once.
+    # (The rollout engine owns the connected instance; we only use this for introspection.)
+    temp_robot = SO100Follower(robot_config)
+    motor_names = list(temp_robot.bus.motors.keys())
+
+    # NOTE: It is highly recommended to use the urdf in the SO-ARM100 repo:
+    #   https://github.com/TheRobotStudio/SO-ARM100/blob/main/Simulation/SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf
+    kinematics_solver = RobotKinematics(
+        urdf_path="./SO101/so101_new_calib.urdf",
+        target_frame_name="gripper_frame_link",
+        joint_names=motor_names,
+    )
+
+    # Joint-space observation → EE-space observation (consumed by the policy).
+    robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor = RobotProcessorPipeline[RobotObservation, RobotObservation](
+        steps=[ForwardKinematicsJointsToEE(kinematics=kinematics_solver, motor_names=motor_names)],
+        to_transition=observation_to_transition,
+        to_output=transition_to_observation,
+    )
+
+    # EE-space action (produced by the policy) → joint-space action (sent to robot).
+    robot_ee_to_joints_processor = RobotProcessorPipeline[tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction](
+        steps=[
+            InverseKinematicsEEToJoints(
+                kinematics=kinematics_solver,
+                motor_names=motor_names,
+                initial_guess_current_joints=True,
+            ),
+        ],
+        to_transition=robot_action_observation_to_transition,
+        to_output=transition_to_robot_action,
+    )
+
+    # Policy config (full model is loaded inside build_rollout_context).
+    policy_config = PreTrainedConfig.from_pretrained(HF_MODEL_ID)
+    policy_config.pretrained_path = HF_MODEL_ID
+
+    cfg = RolloutConfig(
+        robot=robot_config,
+        policy=policy_config,
+        strategy=BaseStrategyConfig(),
+        inference=SyncInferenceConfig(),
+        fps=FPS,
+        duration=DURATION_SEC,
+        task=TASK_DESCRIPTION,
+    )
+
+    signal_handler = ProcessSignalHandler(use_threads=True)
+
+    # Pass the EE kinematic processors via kwargs; the defaults (identity) would
+    # otherwise skip the joint↔EE conversion and the policy would receive the
+    # wrong observation/action space.
+    ctx = build_rollout_context(
+        cfg,
+        signal_handler.shutdown_event,
+        robot_action_processor=robot_ee_to_joints_processor,
+        robot_observation_processor=robot_joints_to_ee_pose_processor,
+    )
+
+    strategy = BaseStrategy(cfg.strategy)
+    try:
+        strategy.setup(ctx)
+        strategy.run(ctx)
+    finally:
+        strategy.teardown(ctx)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

examples/tutorial/rl/hilserl_example.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from lerobot.datasets import LeRobotDataset
 from lerobot.envs.configs import HILSerlProcessorConfig, HILSerlRobotEnvConfig
 from lerobot.policies import SACConfig
 from lerobot.policies.sac.modeling_sac import SACPolicy
-from lerobot.policies.sac.reward_model.modeling_classifier import Classifier
+from lerobot.rewards.classifier.modeling_classifier import Classifier
 from lerobot.rl.buffer import ReplayBuffer
 from lerobot.rl.gym_manipulator import make_robot_env
 from lerobot.robots.so_follower import SO100FollowerConfig

examples/tutorial/rl/reward_classifier_example.py

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import torch
 
 from lerobot.datasets import LeRobotDataset
-from lerobot.policies import RewardClassifierConfig, make_policy, make_pre_post_processors
+from lerobot.rewards import RewardClassifierConfig, make_reward_model, make_reward_pre_post_processors
 
 
 def main():
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ def main():
         model_name="microsoft/resnet-18",
     )
 
-    # Make policy, preprocessor, and optimizer
-    policy = make_policy(config, ds_meta=dataset.meta)
-    optimizer = config.get_optimizer_preset().build(policy.parameters())
-    preprocessor, _ = make_pre_post_processors(policy_cfg=config, dataset_stats=dataset.meta.stats)
+    # Make reward model, preprocessor, and optimizer
+    reward_model = make_reward_model(config, dataset_stats=dataset.meta.stats)
+    optimizer = config.get_optimizer_preset().build(reward_model.parameters())
+    preprocessor, _ = make_reward_pre_post_processors(config, dataset_stats=dataset.meta.stats)
 
     classifier_id = "<user>/reward_classifier_hil_serl_example"
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def main():
             batch = preprocessor(batch)
 
             # Forward pass
-            loss, output_dict = policy.forward(batch)
+            loss, output_dict = reward_model.forward(batch)
 
             # Backward pass and optimization
             optimizer.zero_grad()
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ def main():
 
     print("Training finished!")
 
-    # You can now save the trained policy.
-    policy.push_to_hub(classifier_id)
+    # You can now save the trained reward model.
+    reward_model.push_to_hub(classifier_id)
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":

pyproject.toml

@@ -289,6 +289,7 @@ lerobot-find-joint-limits="lerobot.scripts.lerobot_find_joint_limits:main"
 lerobot-imgtransform-viz="lerobot.scripts.lerobot_imgtransform_viz:main"
 lerobot-edit-dataset="lerobot.scripts.lerobot_edit_dataset:main"
 lerobot-setup-can="lerobot.scripts.lerobot_setup_can:main"
+lerobot-rollout="lerobot.scripts.lerobot_rollout:main"
 
 # ---------------- Tool Configurations ----------------
 [tool.setuptools.package-data]

src/lerobot/cameras/realsense/camera_realsense.py

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ Provides the RealSenseCamera class for capturing frames from Intel RealSense cam
 """
 
 import logging
+import sys
 import time
 from threading import Event, Lock, Thread
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ from ..utils import get_cv2_rotation
 from .configuration_realsense import RealSenseCameraConfig
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+pkg_name = "pyrealsense2-macosx" if sys.platform == "darwin" else "pyrealsense2"
 
 
 class RealSenseCamera(Camera):
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ class RealSenseCamera(Camera):
         Args:
             config: The configuration settings for the camera.
         """
-        require_package("pyrealsense2", extra="intelrealsense")
+        require_package(pkg_name, extra="intelrealsense", import_name="pyrealsense2")
         super().__init__(config)
 
         self.config = config

src/lerobot/common/wandb_utils.py

@@ -41,8 +41,12 @@ def cfg_to_group(
             return tag
         return tag[:max_tag_length]
 
+    if cfg.is_reward_model_training:
+        trainable_tag = f"reward_model:{cfg.reward_model.type}"
+    else:
+        trainable_tag = f"policy:{cfg.policy.type}"
     lst = [
-        f"policy:{cfg.policy.type}",
+        trainable_tag,
         f"seed:{cfg.seed}",
     ]
     if cfg.dataset is not None:

src/lerobot/configs/__init__.py

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ are intentionally NOT re-exported here to avoid circular dependencies
 Import them directly: ``from lerobot.configs.train import TrainPipelineConfig``
 """
 
+from .dataset import DatasetRecordConfig
 from .default import DatasetConfig, EvalConfig, PeftConfig, WandBConfig
 from .policies import PreTrainedConfig
 from .types import (
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@ __all__ = [
     "PolicyFeature",
     "RTCAttentionSchedule",
     # Config classes
+    "DatasetRecordConfig",
     "DatasetConfig",
     "EvalConfig",
     "PeftConfig",

src/lerobot/configs/dataset.py

@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+# Copyright 2024 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Shared dataset recording configuration used by both ``lerobot-record`` and ``lerobot-rollout``."""
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from lerobot.datasets.video_utils import VideoEncoderConfig, camera_encoder_defaults
+
+
+@dataclass
+class DatasetRecordConfig:
+    # Dataset identifier. By convention it should match '{hf_username}/{dataset_name}' (e.g. `lerobot/test`).
+    repo_id: str = ""
+    # A short but accurate description of the task performed during the recording (e.g. "Pick the Lego block and drop it in the box on the right.")
+    single_task: str = ""
+    # Root directory where the dataset will be stored (e.g. 'dataset/path'). If None, defaults to $HF_LEROBOT_HOME/repo_id.
+    root: str | Path | None = None
+    # Limit the frames per second.
+    fps: int = 30
+    # Number of seconds for data recording for each episode.
+    episode_time_s: int | float = 60
+    # Number of seconds for resetting the environment after each episode.
+    reset_time_s: int | float = 60
+    # Number of episodes to record.
+    num_episodes: int = 50
+    # Encode frames in the dataset into video
+    video: bool = True
+    # Upload dataset to Hugging Face hub.
+    push_to_hub: bool = True
+    # Upload on private repository on the Hugging Face hub.
+    private: bool = False
+    # Add tags to your dataset on the hub.
+    tags: list[str] | None = None
+    # Number of subprocesses handling the saving of frames as PNG. Set to 0 to use threads only;
+    # set to ≥1 to use subprocesses, each using threads to write images. The best number of processes
+    # and threads depends on your system. We recommend 4 threads per camera with 0 processes.
+    # If fps is unstable, adjust the thread count. If still unstable, try using 1 or more subprocesses.
+    num_image_writer_processes: int = 0
+    # Number of threads writing the frames as png images on disk, per camera.
+    # Too many threads might cause unstable teleoperation fps due to main thread being blocked.
+    # Not enough threads might cause low camera fps.
+    num_image_writer_threads_per_camera: int = 4
+    # Number of episodes to record before batch encoding videos
+    # Set to 1 for immediate encoding (default behavior), or higher for batched encoding
+    video_encoding_batch_size: int = 1
+    # Video encoder settings for camera MP4s (codec, quality, GOP, etc.). Tuned via CLI nested keys,
+    # e.g. ``--dataset.camera_encoder_config.vcodec=h264`` (see ``VideoEncoderConfig``).
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig = field(default_factory=camera_encoder_defaults)
+    # Enable streaming video encoding: encode frames in real-time during capture instead
+    # of writing PNG images first. Makes save_episode() near-instant. More info in the documentation: https://huggingface.co/docs/lerobot/streaming_video_encoding
+    streaming_encoding: bool = False
+    # Maximum number of frames to buffer per camera when using streaming encoding.
+    # ~1s buffer at 30fps. Provides backpressure if the encoder can't keep up.
+    encoder_queue_maxsize: int = 30
+    # Number of threads per encoder instance. None = auto (codec default).
+    # Lower values reduce CPU usage, maps to 'lp' (via svtav1-params) for libsvtav1 and 'threads' for h264/hevc..
+    encoder_threads: int | None = None
+
+    def stamp_repo_id(self) -> None:
+        """Append a date-time tag to ``repo_id`` so each recording session gets a unique name.
+
+        Must be called explicitly at dataset *creation* time — not on resume,
+        where the existing ``repo_id`` (already stamped) must be preserved.
+        """
+        if self.repo_id:
+            timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")
+            self.repo_id = f"{self.repo_id}_{timestamp}"

src/lerobot/configs/default.py

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 
 from lerobot.transforms import ImageTransformsConfig
-from lerobot.utils.import_utils import get_safe_default_codec
+from lerobot.utils.import_utils import get_safe_default_video_backend
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class DatasetConfig:
     image_transforms: ImageTransformsConfig = field(default_factory=ImageTransformsConfig)
     revision: str | None = None
     use_imagenet_stats: bool = True
-    video_backend: str = field(default_factory=get_safe_default_codec)
+    video_backend: str = field(default_factory=get_safe_default_video_backend)
     # When True, video frames are returned as uint8 tensors (0-255) instead of float32 (0.0-1.0).
     # This reduces memory and speeds up DataLoader IPC. The training pipeline handles the conversion.
     return_uint8: bool = False

src/lerobot/configs/rewards.py

@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+# Copyright 2026 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import abc
+import builtins
+import json
+import logging
+import os
+import tempfile
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any, TypeVar
+
+import draccus
+from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
+from huggingface_hub.constants import CONFIG_NAME
+from huggingface_hub.errors import HfHubHTTPError
+
+from lerobot.configs.types import PolicyFeature
+from lerobot.optim.optimizers import OptimizerConfig
+from lerobot.optim.schedulers import LRSchedulerConfig
+from lerobot.utils.device_utils import auto_select_torch_device, is_torch_device_available
+from lerobot.utils.hub import HubMixin
+
+T = TypeVar("T", bound="RewardModelConfig")
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class RewardModelConfig(draccus.ChoiceRegistry, HubMixin, abc.ABC):
+    """Base configuration for reward models.
+
+    Args:
+    input_features: A dictionary defining the PolicyFeature of the input data for the reward. The key represents
+        the input data name, and the value is PolicyFeature, which consists of FeatureType and shape attributes.
+    output_features: A dictionary defining the PolicyFeature of the output data for the reward. The key represents
+        the output data name, and the value is PolicyFeature, which consists of FeatureType and shape attributes.
+    """
+
+    # Reuses PolicyFeature
+    input_features: dict[str, PolicyFeature] = field(default_factory=dict)
+    output_features: dict[str, PolicyFeature] = field(default_factory=dict)
+
+    device: str | None = None
+
+    pretrained_path: str | None = None
+
+    push_to_hub: bool = False
+    repo_id: str | None = None
+
+    # Hub metadata
+    license: str | None = None
+    tags: list[str] | None = None
+    private: bool | None = None
+
+    def __post_init__(self) -> None:
+        if not self.device or not is_torch_device_available(self.device):
+            auto_device = auto_select_torch_device()
+            logger.warning(f"Device '{self.device}' is not available. Switching to '{auto_device}'.")
+            self.device = auto_device.type
+
+    @property
+    def type(self) -> str:
+        choice_name = self.get_choice_name(self.__class__)
+        if not isinstance(choice_name, str):
+            raise TypeError(f"Expected string from get_choice_name, got {type(choice_name)}")
+        return choice_name
+
+    @property
+    def observation_delta_indices(self) -> list | None:  # type: ignore[type-arg]
+        return None
+
+    @property
+    def action_delta_indices(self) -> list | None:  # type: ignore[type-arg]
+        return None
+
+    @property
+    def reward_delta_indices(self) -> list | None:  # type: ignore[type-arg]
+        return None
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def get_optimizer_preset(self) -> OptimizerConfig:
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
+    def get_scheduler_preset(self) -> LRSchedulerConfig | None:
+        return None
+
+    def validate_features(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def _save_pretrained(self, save_directory: Path) -> None:
+        with open(save_directory / CONFIG_NAME, "w") as f, draccus.config_type("json"):
+            draccus.dump(self, f, indent=4)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_pretrained(
+        cls: builtins.type[T],
+        pretrained_name_or_path: str | Path,
+        *,
+        force_download: bool = False,
+        resume_download: bool | None = None,
+        proxies: dict[Any, Any] | None = None,
+        token: str | bool | None = None,
+        cache_dir: str | Path | None = None,
+        local_files_only: bool = False,
+        revision: str | None = None,
+        **reward_kwargs: Any,
+    ) -> T:
+        model_id = str(pretrained_name_or_path)
+        config_file: str | None = None
+        if Path(model_id).is_dir():
+            if CONFIG_NAME in os.listdir(model_id):
+                config_file = os.path.join(model_id, CONFIG_NAME)
+            else:
+                logger.error(f"{CONFIG_NAME} not found in {Path(model_id).resolve()}")
+        else:
+            try:
+                config_file = hf_hub_download(
+                    repo_id=model_id,
+                    filename=CONFIG_NAME,
+                    revision=revision,
+                    cache_dir=cache_dir,
+                    force_download=force_download,
+                    proxies=proxies,
+                    resume_download=resume_download,
+                    token=token,
+                    local_files_only=local_files_only,
+                )
+            except HfHubHTTPError as e:
+                raise FileNotFoundError(
+                    f"{CONFIG_NAME} not found on the HuggingFace Hub in {model_id}"
+                ) from e
+
+        if config_file is None:
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"{CONFIG_NAME} not found in {model_id}")
+
+        # HACK: Parse the original config to get the config subclass, so that we can
+        # apply cli overrides.
+        with draccus.config_type("json"):
+            orig_config = draccus.parse(cls, config_file, args=[])
+
+        with open(config_file) as f:
+            config = json.load(f)
+
+        config.pop("type", None)
+        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile("w+", delete=False, suffix=".json") as f:
+            json.dump(config, f)
+            config_file = f.name
+
+        cli_overrides = reward_kwargs.pop("cli_overrides", [])
+        with draccus.config_type("json"):
+            return draccus.parse(orig_config.__class__, config_file, args=cli_overrides)

src/lerobot/configs/train.py

@@ -13,7 +13,9 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 import builtins
 import datetime as dt
+import json
 import os
+import tempfile
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any
@@ -26,18 +28,57 @@ from lerobot import envs
 from lerobot.configs import parser
 from lerobot.optim import LRSchedulerConfig, OptimizerConfig
 from lerobot.utils.hub import HubMixin
+from lerobot.utils.sample_weighting import SampleWeightingConfig
 
 from .default import DatasetConfig, EvalConfig, PeftConfig, WandBConfig
 from .policies import PreTrainedConfig
+from .rewards import RewardModelConfig
 
 TRAIN_CONFIG_NAME = "train_config.json"
 
 
+def _migrate_legacy_rabc_fields(config: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Return migrated payload for legacy RA-BC fields, or None when no migration is needed."""
+    legacy_fields = (
+        "use_rabc",
+        "rabc_progress_path",
+        "rabc_kappa",
+        "rabc_epsilon",
+        "rabc_head_mode",
+    )
+    if not any(key in config for key in legacy_fields):
+        return None
+
+    migrated_config = dict(config)
+    use_rabc = bool(migrated_config.pop("use_rabc", False))
+    rabc_progress_path = migrated_config.pop("rabc_progress_path", None)
+    rabc_kappa = migrated_config.pop("rabc_kappa", None)
+    rabc_epsilon = migrated_config.pop("rabc_epsilon", None)
+    rabc_head_mode = migrated_config.pop("rabc_head_mode", None)
+
+    # New configs may already define sample_weighting explicitly. In that case,
+    # legacy fields are ignored after being stripped from the payload.
+    if migrated_config.get("sample_weighting") is None and use_rabc:
+        sample_weighting: dict[str, Any] = {"type": "rabc"}
+        if rabc_progress_path is not None:
+            sample_weighting["progress_path"] = rabc_progress_path
+        if rabc_kappa is not None:
+            sample_weighting["kappa"] = rabc_kappa
+        if rabc_epsilon is not None:
+            sample_weighting["epsilon"] = rabc_epsilon
+        if rabc_head_mode is not None:
+            sample_weighting["head_mode"] = rabc_head_mode
+        migrated_config["sample_weighting"] = sample_weighting
+
+    return migrated_config
+
+
 @dataclass
 class TrainPipelineConfig(HubMixin):
     dataset: DatasetConfig
     env: envs.EnvConfig | None = None
     policy: PreTrainedConfig | None = None
+    reward_model: RewardModelConfig | None = None
     # Set `dir` to where you would like to save all of the run outputs. If you run another training session
     # with the same value for `dir` its contents will be overwritten unless you set `resume` to true.
     output_dir: Path | None = None
@@ -72,27 +113,41 @@ class TrainPipelineConfig(HubMixin):
     wandb: WandBConfig = field(default_factory=WandBConfig)
     peft: PeftConfig | None = None
 
-    # RA-BC (Reward-Aligned Behavior Cloning) parameters
-    use_rabc: bool = False  # Enable reward-weighted training
-    rabc_progress_path: str | None = None  # Path to precomputed SARM progress parquet file
-    rabc_kappa: float = 0.01  # Hard threshold for high-quality samples
-    rabc_epsilon: float = 1e-6  # Small constant for numerical stability
-    rabc_head_mode: str | None = "sparse"  # For dual-head models: "sparse" or "dense"
+    # Sample weighting configuration (e.g., for RA-BC training)
+    sample_weighting: SampleWeightingConfig | None = None
 
     # Rename map for the observation to override the image and state keys
     rename_map: dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
     checkpoint_path: Path | None = field(init=False, default=None)
 
+    @property
+    def is_reward_model_training(self) -> bool:
+        """True when the config targets a reward model rather than a policy."""
+        return self.reward_model is not None
+
+    @property
+    def trainable_config(self) -> PreTrainedConfig | RewardModelConfig:
+        """Return whichever config (policy or reward_model) is active."""
+        if self.is_reward_model_training:
+            return self.reward_model  # type: ignore[return-value]
+        return self.policy  # type: ignore[return-value]
+
     def validate(self) -> None:
         # HACK: We parse again the cli args here to get the pretrained paths if there was some.
         policy_path = parser.get_path_arg("policy")
-        if policy_path:
-            # Only load the policy config
+        reward_model_path = parser.get_path_arg("reward_model")
+
+        if reward_model_path:
+            cli_overrides = parser.get_cli_overrides("reward_model")
+            self.reward_model = RewardModelConfig.from_pretrained(
+                reward_model_path, cli_overrides=cli_overrides
+            )
+            self.reward_model.pretrained_path = str(Path(reward_model_path))
+        elif policy_path:
             cli_overrides = parser.get_cli_overrides("policy")
             self.policy = PreTrainedConfig.from_pretrained(policy_path, cli_overrides=cli_overrides)
             self.policy.pretrained_path = Path(policy_path)
         elif self.resume:
-            # The entire train config is already loaded, we just need to get the checkpoint dir
             config_path = parser.parse_arg("config_path")
             if not config_path:
                 raise ValueError(
@@ -108,18 +163,22 @@ class TrainPipelineConfig(HubMixin):
             policy_dir = Path(config_path).parent
             if self.policy is not None:
                 self.policy.pretrained_path = policy_dir
+            if self.reward_model is not None:
+                self.reward_model.pretrained_path = str(policy_dir)
             self.checkpoint_path = policy_dir.parent
 
-        if self.policy is None:
+        if self.policy is None and self.reward_model is None:
             raise ValueError(
-                "Policy is not configured. Please specify a pretrained policy with `--policy.path`."
+                "Neither policy nor reward_model is configured. "
+                "Please specify one with `--policy.path` or `--reward_model.path`."
             )
 
+        active_cfg = self.trainable_config
         if not self.job_name:
             if self.env is None:
-                self.job_name = f"{self.policy.type}"
+                self.job_name = f"{active_cfg.type}"
             else:
-                self.job_name = f"{self.env.type}_{self.policy.type}"
+                self.job_name = f"{self.env.type}_{active_cfg.type}"
 
         if not self.resume and isinstance(self.output_dir, Path) and self.output_dir.is_dir():
             raise FileExistsError(
@@ -137,26 +196,16 @@ class TrainPipelineConfig(HubMixin):
         if not self.use_policy_training_preset and (self.optimizer is None or self.scheduler is None):
             raise ValueError("Optimizer and Scheduler must be set when the policy presets are not used.")
         elif self.use_policy_training_preset and not self.resume:
-            self.optimizer = self.policy.get_optimizer_preset()
-            self.scheduler = self.policy.get_scheduler_preset()
+            self.optimizer = active_cfg.get_optimizer_preset()
+            self.scheduler = active_cfg.get_scheduler_preset()
 
-        if self.policy.push_to_hub and not self.policy.repo_id:
-            raise ValueError(
-                "'policy.repo_id' argument missing. Please specify it to push the model to the hub."
-            )
-
-        if self.use_rabc and not self.rabc_progress_path:
-            # Auto-detect from dataset path
-            repo_id = self.dataset.repo_id
-            if self.dataset.root:
-                self.rabc_progress_path = str(Path(self.dataset.root) / "sarm_progress.parquet")
-            else:
-                self.rabc_progress_path = f"hf://datasets/{repo_id}/sarm_progress.parquet"
+        if hasattr(active_cfg, "push_to_hub") and active_cfg.push_to_hub and not active_cfg.repo_id:
+            raise ValueError("'repo_id' argument missing. Please specify it to push the model to the hub.")
 
     @classmethod
     def __get_path_fields__(cls) -> list[str]:
-        """This enables the parser to load config from the policy using `--policy.path=local/dir`"""
-        return ["policy"]
+        """Keys for draccus pretrained-path loading."""
+        return ["policy", "reward_model"]
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
         return draccus.encode(self)  # type: ignore[no-any-return]  # because of the third-party library draccus uses Any as the return type
@@ -207,6 +256,15 @@ class TrainPipelineConfig(HubMixin):
                 ) from e
 
         cli_args = kwargs.pop("cli_args", [])
+        if config_file is not None:
+            with open(config_file) as f:
+                config = json.load(f)
+            migrated_config = _migrate_legacy_rabc_fields(config)
+            if migrated_config is not None:
+                with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile("w+", delete=False, suffix=".json") as f:
+                    json.dump(migrated_config, f)
+                    config_file = f.name
+
         with draccus.config_type("json"):
             return draccus.parse(cls, config_file, args=cli_args)
 

src/lerobot/datasets/__init__.py

@@ -40,10 +40,19 @@ from .io_utils import load_episodes, write_stats
 from .lerobot_dataset import LeRobotDataset
 from .multi_dataset import MultiLeRobotDataset
 from .pipeline_features import aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features, create_initial_features
+from .pyav_utils import (
+    check_video_encoder_config_pyav,
+    detect_available_encoders_pyav,
+    get_codec,
+)
 from .sampler import EpisodeAwareSampler
 from .streaming_dataset import StreamingLeRobotDataset
 from .utils import DEFAULT_EPISODES_PATH, create_lerobot_dataset_card
-from .video_utils import VideoEncodingManager
+from .video_utils import (
+    VideoEncoderConfig,
+    VideoEncodingManager,
+    camera_encoder_defaults,
+)
 
 # NOTE: Low-level I/O functions (cast_stats_to_numpy, get_parquet_file_size_in_mb, etc.)
 # and legacy migration constants are intentionally NOT re-exported here.
@@ -58,15 +67,20 @@ __all__ = [
     "LeRobotDatasetMetadata",
     "MultiLeRobotDataset",
     "StreamingLeRobotDataset",
+    "VideoEncoderConfig",
     "VideoEncodingManager",
+    "camera_encoder_defaults",
     "add_features",
     "aggregate_datasets",
     "aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features",
     "aggregate_stats",
+    "check_video_encoder_config_pyav",
     "convert_image_to_video_dataset",
     "create_initial_features",
     "create_lerobot_dataset_card",
     "delete_episodes",
+    "detect_available_encoders_pyav",
+    "get_codec",
     "get_feature_stats",
     "load_episodes",
     "make_dataset",

src/lerobot/datasets/aggregate.py

@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ def update_data_df(df, src_meta, dst_meta):
         pd.DataFrame: Updated DataFrame with adjusted indices.
     """
 
-    df["episode_index"] = df["episode_index"] + dst_meta.info["total_episodes"]
-    df["index"] = df["index"] + dst_meta.info["total_frames"]
+    df["episode_index"] = df["episode_index"] + dst_meta.info.total_episodes
+    df["index"] = df["index"] + dst_meta.info.total_frames
 
     src_task_names = src_meta.tasks.index.take(df["task_index"].to_numpy())
     df["task_index"] = dst_meta.tasks.loc[src_task_names, "task_index"].to_numpy()
@@ -225,9 +225,9 @@ def update_meta_data(
         # Clean up temporary columns
         df = df.drop(columns=["_orig_chunk", "_orig_file"])
 
-    df["dataset_from_index"] = df["dataset_from_index"] + dst_meta.info["total_frames"]
-    df["dataset_to_index"] = df["dataset_to_index"] + dst_meta.info["total_frames"]
-    df["episode_index"] = df["episode_index"] + dst_meta.info["total_episodes"]
+    df["dataset_from_index"] = df["dataset_from_index"] + dst_meta.info.total_frames
+    df["dataset_to_index"] = df["dataset_to_index"] + dst_meta.info.total_frames
+    df["episode_index"] = df["episode_index"] + dst_meta.info.total_episodes
 
     return df
 
@@ -237,8 +237,8 @@ def aggregate_datasets(
     aggr_repo_id: str,
     roots: list[Path] | None = None,
     aggr_root: Path | None = None,
-    data_files_size_in_mb: float | None = None,
-    video_files_size_in_mb: float | None = None,
+    data_files_size_in_mb: int | None = None,
+    video_files_size_in_mb: int | None = None,
     chunk_size: int | None = None,
 ):
     """Aggregates multiple LeRobot datasets into a single unified dataset.
@@ -313,8 +313,8 @@ def aggregate_datasets(
         # to avoid interference between different source datasets
         data_idx.pop("src_to_dst", None)
 
-        dst_meta.info["total_episodes"] += src_meta.total_episodes
-        dst_meta.info["total_frames"] += src_meta.total_frames
+        dst_meta.info.total_episodes += src_meta.total_episodes
+        dst_meta.info.total_frames += src_meta.total_frames
 
     finalize_aggregation(dst_meta, all_metadata)
     logging.info("Aggregation complete.")
@@ -332,7 +332,6 @@ def aggregate_videos(src_meta, dst_meta, videos_idx, video_files_size_in_mb, chu
         videos_idx: Dictionary tracking video chunk and file indices.
         video_files_size_in_mb: Maximum size for video files in MB (defaults to DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB)
         chunk_size: Maximum number of files per chunk (defaults to DEFAULT_CHUNK_SIZE)
-
     Returns:
         dict: Updated videos_idx with current chunk and file indices.
     """
@@ -417,6 +416,7 @@ def aggregate_videos(src_meta, dst_meta, videos_idx, video_files_size_in_mb, chu
                 concatenate_video_files(
                     [dst_path, src_path],
                     dst_path,
+                    compatibility_check=True,
                 )
                 # Update duration of this destination file
                 dst_file_durations[dst_key] = current_dst_duration + src_duration
@@ -640,14 +640,10 @@ def finalize_aggregation(aggr_meta, all_metadata):
     write_tasks(aggr_meta.tasks, aggr_meta.root)
 
     logging.info("write info")
-    aggr_meta.info.update(
-        {
-            "total_tasks": len(aggr_meta.tasks),
-            "total_episodes": sum(m.total_episodes for m in all_metadata),
-            "total_frames": sum(m.total_frames for m in all_metadata),
-            "splits": {"train": f"0:{sum(m.total_episodes for m in all_metadata)}"},
-        }
-    )
+    aggr_meta.info.total_tasks = len(aggr_meta.tasks)
+    aggr_meta.info.total_episodes = sum(m.total_episodes for m in all_metadata)
+    aggr_meta.info.total_frames = sum(m.total_frames for m in all_metadata)
+    aggr_meta.info.splits = {"train": f"0:{sum(m.total_episodes for m in all_metadata)}"}
     write_info(aggr_meta.info, aggr_meta.root)
 
     logging.info("write stats")

src/lerobot/datasets/dataset_metadata.py

@@ -37,20 +37,18 @@ from .io_utils import (
     load_subtasks,
     load_tasks,
     write_info,
-    write_json,
     write_stats,
     write_tasks,
 )
 from .utils import (
     DEFAULT_EPISODES_PATH,
-    INFO_PATH,
     check_version_compatibility,
     get_safe_version,
     has_legacy_hub_download_metadata,
     is_valid_version,
     update_chunk_file_indices,
 )
-from .video_utils import get_video_info
+from .video_utils import VideoEncoderConfig, get_video_info
 
 CODEBASE_VERSION = "v3.0"
 
@@ -228,7 +226,7 @@ class LeRobotDatasetMetadata:
     @property
     def _version(self) -> packaging.version.Version:
         """Codebase version used to create this dataset."""
-        return packaging.version.parse(self.info["codebase_version"])
+        return packaging.version.parse(self.info.codebase_version)
 
     def get_data_file_path(self, ep_index: int) -> Path:
         """Return the relative parquet file path for the given episode index.
@@ -283,27 +281,27 @@ class LeRobotDatasetMetadata:
     @property
     def data_path(self) -> str:
         """Formattable string for the parquet files."""
-        return self.info["data_path"]
+        return self.info.data_path
 
     @property
     def video_path(self) -> str | None:
         """Formattable string for the video files."""
-        return self.info["video_path"]
+        return self.info.video_path
 
     @property
     def robot_type(self) -> str | None:
         """Robot type used in recording this dataset."""
-        return self.info["robot_type"]
+        return self.info.robot_type
 
     @property
     def fps(self) -> int:
         """Frames per second used during data collection."""
-        return self.info["fps"]
+        return self.info.fps
 
     @property
     def features(self) -> dict[str, dict]:
         """All features contained in the dataset."""
-        return self.info["features"]
+        return self.info.features
 
     @property
     def image_keys(self) -> list[str]:
@@ -333,32 +331,32 @@ class LeRobotDatasetMetadata:
     @property
     def total_episodes(self) -> int:
         """Total number of episodes available."""
-        return self.info["total_episodes"]
+        return self.info.total_episodes
 
     @property
     def total_frames(self) -> int:
         """Total number of frames saved in this dataset."""
-        return self.info["total_frames"]
+        return self.info.total_frames
 
     @property
     def total_tasks(self) -> int:
         """Total number of different tasks performed in this dataset."""
-        return self.info["total_tasks"]
+        return self.info.total_tasks
 
     @property
     def chunks_size(self) -> int:
         """Max number of files per chunk."""
-        return self.info["chunks_size"]
+        return self.info.chunks_size
 
     @property
     def data_files_size_in_mb(self) -> int:
         """Max size of data file in mega bytes."""
-        return self.info["data_files_size_in_mb"]
+        return self.info.data_files_size_in_mb
 
     @property
     def video_files_size_in_mb(self) -> int:
         """Max size of video file in mega bytes."""
-        return self.info["video_files_size_in_mb"]
+        return self.info.video_files_size_in_mb
 
     def get_task_index(self, task: str) -> int | None:
         """
@@ -502,20 +500,33 @@ class LeRobotDatasetMetadata:
         self._save_episode_metadata(episode_dict)
 
         # Update info
-        self.info["total_episodes"] += 1
-        self.info["total_frames"] += episode_length
-        self.info["total_tasks"] = len(self.tasks)
-        self.info["splits"] = {"train": f"0:{self.info['total_episodes']}"}
+        self.info.total_episodes += 1
+        self.info.total_frames += episode_length
+        self.info.total_tasks = len(self.tasks)
+        self.info.splits = {"train": f"0:{self.info.total_episodes}"}
 
         write_info(self.info, self.root)
 
         self.stats = aggregate_stats([self.stats, episode_stats]) if self.stats is not None else episode_stats
         write_stats(self.stats, self.root)
 
-    def update_video_info(self, video_key: str | None = None) -> None:
-        """
+    def update_video_info(
+        self,
+        video_key: str | None = None,
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        """Populate per-feature video info in ``info.json``.
+
         Warning: this function writes info from first episode videos, implicitly assuming that all videos have
         been encoded the same way. Also, this means it assumes the first episode exists.
+
+        Args:
+            video_key: If provided, only update this video key. Otherwise update
+                all video keys in the dataset.
+            camera_encoder_config: Encoder configuration used to produce the
+                videos. When provided, its fields are recorded as
+                ``video.<field>`` entries alongside the stream-derived
+                ``video.*`` entries (see :func:`get_video_info`).
         """
         if video_key is not None and video_key not in self.video_keys:
             raise ValueError(f"Video key {video_key} not found in dataset")
@@ -524,7 +535,9 @@ class LeRobotDatasetMetadata:
         for key in video_keys:
             if not self.features[key].get("info", None):
                 video_path = self.root / self.video_path.format(video_key=key, chunk_index=0, file_index=0)
-                self.info["features"][key]["info"] = get_video_info(video_path)
+                self.info.features[key]["info"] = get_video_info(
+                    video_path, camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config
+                )
 
     def update_chunk_settings(
         self,
@@ -546,17 +559,17 @@ class LeRobotDatasetMetadata:
         if chunks_size is not None:
             if chunks_size <= 0:
                 raise ValueError(f"chunks_size must be positive, got {chunks_size}")
-            self.info["chunks_size"] = chunks_size
+            self.info.chunks_size = chunks_size
 
         if data_files_size_in_mb is not None:
             if data_files_size_in_mb <= 0:
                 raise ValueError(f"data_files_size_in_mb must be positive, got {data_files_size_in_mb}")
-            self.info["data_files_size_in_mb"] = data_files_size_in_mb
+            self.info.data_files_size_in_mb = data_files_size_in_mb
 
         if video_files_size_in_mb is not None:
             if video_files_size_in_mb <= 0:
                 raise ValueError(f"video_files_size_in_mb must be positive, got {video_files_size_in_mb}")
-            self.info["video_files_size_in_mb"] = video_files_size_in_mb
+            self.info.video_files_size_in_mb = video_files_size_in_mb
 
         # Update the info file on disk
         write_info(self.info, self.root)
@@ -653,7 +666,7 @@ class LeRobotDatasetMetadata:
                 f"Features contain video keys {obj.video_keys}, but 'use_videos' is set to False. "
                 "Either remove video features from the features dict, or set 'use_videos=True'."
             )
-        write_json(obj.info, obj.root / INFO_PATH)
+        write_info(obj.info, obj.root)
         obj.revision = None
         obj._pq_writer = None
         obj.latest_episode = None

src/lerobot/datasets/dataset_tools.py

@@ -62,7 +62,12 @@ from .utils import (
     DEFAULT_EPISODES_PATH,
     update_chunk_file_indices,
 )
-from .video_utils import encode_video_frames, get_video_info
+from .video_utils import (
+    VideoEncoderConfig,
+    camera_encoder_defaults,
+    encode_video_frames,
+    get_video_info,
+)
 
 
 def _load_episode_with_stats(src_dataset: LeRobotDataset, episode_idx: int) -> dict:
@@ -92,6 +97,7 @@ def delete_episodes(
     episode_indices: list[int],
     output_dir: str | Path | None = None,
     repo_id: str | None = None,
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
 ) -> LeRobotDataset:
     """Delete episodes from a LeRobotDataset and create a new dataset.
 
@@ -100,6 +106,8 @@ def delete_episodes(
         episode_indices: List of episode indices to delete.
         output_dir: Root directory where the edited dataset will be stored. If not specified, defaults to $HF_LEROBOT_HOME/repo_id. Equivalent to new_root in EditDatasetConfig.
         repo_id: Edited dataset identifier. Equivalent to new_repo_id in EditDatasetConfig.
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding video segments
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
     """
     if not episode_indices:
         raise ValueError("No episodes to delete")
@@ -132,7 +140,7 @@ def delete_episodes(
 
     video_metadata = None
     if dataset.meta.video_keys:
-        video_metadata = _copy_and_reindex_videos(dataset, new_meta, episode_mapping)
+        video_metadata = _copy_and_reindex_videos(dataset, new_meta, episode_mapping, camera_encoder_config)
 
     data_metadata = _copy_and_reindex_data(dataset, new_meta, episode_mapping)
 
@@ -154,6 +162,7 @@ def split_dataset(
     dataset: LeRobotDataset,
     splits: dict[str, float | list[int]],
     output_dir: str | Path | None = None,
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
 ) -> dict[str, LeRobotDataset]:
     """Split a LeRobotDataset into multiple smaller datasets.
 
@@ -162,6 +171,8 @@ def split_dataset(
         splits: Either a dict mapping split names to episode indices, or a dict mapping
                 split names to fractions (must sum to <= 1.0).
         output_dir: Root directory where the split datasets will be stored. If not specified, defaults to $HF_LEROBOT_HOME/repo_id.
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding video segments
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
 
     Examples:
       Split by specific episodes
@@ -222,7 +233,9 @@ def split_dataset(
 
         video_metadata = None
         if dataset.meta.video_keys:
-            video_metadata = _copy_and_reindex_videos(dataset, new_meta, episode_mapping)
+            video_metadata = _copy_and_reindex_videos(
+                dataset, new_meta, episode_mapping, camera_encoder_config
+            )
 
         data_metadata = _copy_and_reindex_data(dataset, new_meta, episode_mapping)
 
@@ -578,8 +591,7 @@ def _keep_episodes_from_video_with_av(
     output_path: Path,
     episodes_to_keep: list[tuple[int, int]],
     fps: float,
-    vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
-    pix_fmt: str = "yuv420p",
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
 ) -> None:
     """Keep only specified episodes from a video file using PyAV.
 
@@ -593,9 +605,11 @@ def _keep_episodes_from_video_with_av(
             Ranges are half-open intervals: [start_frame, end_frame), where start_frame
             is inclusive and end_frame is exclusive.
         fps: Frame rate of the video.
-        vcodec: Video codec to use for encoding.
-        pix_fmt: Pixel format for output video.
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
     """
+    if camera_encoder_config is None:
+        camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_defaults()
     from fractions import Fraction
 
     import av
@@ -619,12 +633,12 @@ def _keep_episodes_from_video_with_av(
 
     # Convert fps to Fraction for PyAV compatibility.
     fps_fraction = Fraction(fps).limit_denominator(1000)
-    v_out = out.add_stream(vcodec, rate=fps_fraction)
+    v_out = out.add_stream(camera_encoder_config.vcodec, rate=fps_fraction)
 
     # PyAV type stubs don't distinguish video streams from audio/subtitle streams.
     v_out.width = v_in.codec_context.width
     v_out.height = v_in.codec_context.height
-    v_out.pix_fmt = pix_fmt
+    v_out.pix_fmt = camera_encoder_config.pix_fmt
 
     # Set time_base to match the frame rate for proper timestamp handling.
     v_out.time_base = Fraction(1, int(fps))
@@ -687,8 +701,7 @@ def _copy_and_reindex_videos(
     src_dataset: LeRobotDataset,
     dst_meta: LeRobotDatasetMetadata,
     episode_mapping: dict[int, int],
-    vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
-    pix_fmt: str = "yuv420p",
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
 ) -> dict[int, dict]:
     """Copy and filter video files, only re-encoding files with deleted episodes.
 
@@ -700,10 +713,14 @@ def _copy_and_reindex_videos(
         src_dataset: Source dataset to copy from
         dst_meta: Destination metadata object
         episode_mapping: Mapping from old episode indices to new indices
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding segments
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
 
     Returns:
         dict mapping episode index to its video metadata (chunk_index, file_index, timestamps)
     """
+    if camera_encoder_config is None:
+        camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_defaults()
     if src_dataset.meta.episodes is None:
         src_dataset.meta.episodes = load_episodes(src_dataset.meta.root)
 
@@ -792,8 +809,7 @@ def _copy_and_reindex_videos(
                     dst_video_path,
                     episodes_to_keep_ranges,
                     src_dataset.meta.fps,
-                    vcodec,
-                    pix_fmt,
+                    camera_encoder_config,
                 )
 
                 cumulative_ts = 0.0
@@ -897,14 +913,10 @@ def _copy_and_reindex_episodes_metadata(
 
     dst_meta.finalize()
 
-    dst_meta.info.update(
-        {
-            "total_episodes": len(episode_mapping),
-            "total_frames": total_frames,
-            "total_tasks": len(dst_meta.tasks) if dst_meta.tasks is not None else 0,
-            "splits": {"train": f"0:{len(episode_mapping)}"},
-        }
-    )
+    dst_meta.info.total_episodes = len(episode_mapping)
+    dst_meta.info.total_frames = total_frames
+    dst_meta.info.total_tasks = len(dst_meta.tasks) if dst_meta.tasks is not None else 0
+    dst_meta.info.splits = {"train": f"0:{len(episode_mapping)}"}
     write_info(dst_meta.info, dst_meta.root)
 
     if not all_stats:
@@ -1069,21 +1081,20 @@ def _copy_episodes_metadata_and_stats(
     if episodes_dir.exists():
         shutil.copytree(episodes_dir, dst_episodes_dir, dirs_exist_ok=True)
 
-    dst_meta.info.update(
-        {
-            "total_episodes": src_dataset.meta.total_episodes,
-            "total_frames": src_dataset.meta.total_frames,
-            "total_tasks": src_dataset.meta.total_tasks,
-            "splits": src_dataset.meta.info.get("splits", {"train": f"0:{src_dataset.meta.total_episodes}"}),
-        }
+    dst_meta.info.total_episodes = src_dataset.meta.total_episodes
+    dst_meta.info.total_frames = src_dataset.meta.total_frames
+    dst_meta.info.total_tasks = src_dataset.meta.total_tasks
+    # Preserve original splits if available, otherwise create default
+    dst_meta.info.splits = (
+        src_dataset.meta.info.splits
+        if src_dataset.meta.info.splits
+        else {"train": f"0:{src_dataset.meta.total_episodes}"}
     )
 
     if dst_meta.video_keys and src_dataset.meta.video_keys:
         for key in dst_meta.video_keys:
             if key in src_dataset.meta.features:
-                dst_meta.info["features"][key]["info"] = src_dataset.meta.info["features"][key].get(
-                    "info", {}
-                )
+                dst_meta.info.features[key]["info"] = src_dataset.meta.info.features[key].get("info", {})
 
     write_info(dst_meta.info, dst_meta.root)
 
@@ -1269,11 +1280,7 @@ def _estimate_frame_size_via_calibration(
     episode_indices: list[int],
     temp_dir: Path,
     fps: int,
-    vcodec: str,
-    pix_fmt: str,
-    g: int,
-    crf: int,
-    fast_decode: int,
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig,
     num_calibration_frames: int = 30,
 ) -> float:
     """Estimate MB per frame by encoding a small calibration sample.
@@ -1287,11 +1294,7 @@ def _estimate_frame_size_via_calibration(
         episode_indices: List of episode indices being processed.
         temp_dir: Temporary directory for calibration files.
         fps: Frames per second for video encoding.
-        vcodec: Video codec (libsvtav1, h264, hevc).
-        pix_fmt: Pixel format (yuv420p, etc.).
-        g: GOP size (group of pictures).
-        crf: Constant Rate Factor (quality).
-        fast_decode: Fast decode tuning parameter.
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used for calibration encoding.
         num_calibration_frames: Number of frames to use for calibration (default: 30).
 
     Returns:
@@ -1327,11 +1330,7 @@ def _estimate_frame_size_via_calibration(
             imgs_dir=calibration_dir,
             video_path=calibration_video_path,
             fps=fps,
-            vcodec=vcodec,
-            pix_fmt=pix_fmt,
-            g=g,
-            crf=crf,
-            fast_decode=fast_decode,
+            camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
             overwrite=True,
         )
 
@@ -1525,7 +1524,7 @@ def modify_tasks(
     write_tasks(new_task_df, root)
 
     # Update info.json
-    dataset.meta.info["total_tasks"] = len(unique_tasks)
+    dataset.meta.info.total_tasks = len(unique_tasks)
     write_info(dataset.meta.info, root)
 
     # Reload metadata to reflect changes
@@ -1649,11 +1648,7 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
     dataset: LeRobotDataset,
     output_dir: Path | None = None,
     repo_id: str | None = None,
-    vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
-    pix_fmt: str = "yuv420p",
-    g: int = 2,
-    crf: int = 30,
-    fast_decode: int = 0,
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
     episode_indices: list[int] | None = None,
     num_workers: int = 4,
     max_episodes_per_batch: int | None = None,
@@ -1668,11 +1663,8 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
         dataset: The source LeRobot dataset with images
         output_dir: Root directory where the edited dataset will be stored. If not specified, defaults to $HF_LEROBOT_HOME/repo_id. Equivalent to new_root in EditDatasetConfig.
         repo_id: Edited dataset identifier. Equivalent to new_repo_id in EditDatasetConfig.
-        vcodec: Video codec (default: libsvtav1)
-        pix_fmt: Pixel format (default: yuv420p)
-        g: Group of pictures size (default: 2)
-        crf: Constant rate factor (default: 30)
-        fast_decode: Fast decode tuning (default: 0)
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
         episode_indices: List of episode indices to convert (None = all episodes)
         num_workers: Number of threads for parallel processing (default: 4)
         max_episodes_per_batch: Maximum episodes per video batch to avoid memory issues (None = no limit)
@@ -1681,6 +1673,9 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
     Returns:
         New LeRobotDataset with images encoded as videos
     """
+    if camera_encoder_config is None:
+        camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_defaults()
+
     # Check that it's an image dataset
     if len(dataset.meta.video_keys) > 0:
         raise ValueError(
@@ -1704,7 +1699,10 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
     logging.info(
         f"Converting {len(episode_indices)} episodes with {len(img_keys)} cameras from {dataset.repo_id}"
     )
-    logging.info(f"Video codec: {vcodec}, pixel format: {pix_fmt}, GOP: {g}, CRF: {crf}")
+    logging.info(
+        f"Video codec: {camera_encoder_config.vcodec}, pixel format: {camera_encoder_config.pix_fmt}, "
+        f"GOP: {camera_encoder_config.g}, CRF: {camera_encoder_config.crf}"
+    )
 
     # Create new features dict, converting image features to video features
     new_features = {}
@@ -1774,11 +1772,7 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
                 episode_indices=episode_indices,
                 temp_dir=temp_dir,
                 fps=fps,
-                vcodec=vcodec,
-                pix_fmt=pix_fmt,
-                g=g,
-                crf=crf,
-                fast_decode=fast_decode,
+                camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
             )
 
             logging.info(f"Processing camera: {img_key}")
@@ -1820,11 +1814,7 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
                     imgs_dir=imgs_dir,
                     video_path=video_path,
                     fps=fps,
-                    vcodec=vcodec,
-                    pix_fmt=pix_fmt,
-                    g=g,
-                    crf=crf,
-                    fast_decode=fast_decode,
+                    camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
                     overwrite=True,
                 )
 
@@ -1858,10 +1848,10 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
         episodes_df.to_parquet(episodes_path, index=False)
 
         # Update metadata info
-        new_meta.info["total_episodes"] = len(episode_indices)
-        new_meta.info["total_frames"] = sum(ep["length"] for ep in all_episode_metadata.values())
-        new_meta.info["total_tasks"] = dataset.meta.total_tasks
-        new_meta.info["splits"] = {"train": f"0:{len(episode_indices)}"}
+        new_meta.info.total_episodes = len(episode_indices)
+        new_meta.info.total_frames = sum(ep["length"] for ep in all_episode_metadata.values())
+        new_meta.info.total_tasks = dataset.meta.total_tasks
+        new_meta.info.splits = {"train": f"0:{len(episode_indices)}"}
 
         # Update video info for all image keys (now videos)
         # We need to manually set video info since update_video_info() checks video_keys first
@@ -1870,7 +1860,9 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
                 video_path = new_meta.root / new_meta.video_path.format(
                     video_key=img_key, chunk_index=0, file_index=0
                 )
-                new_meta.info["features"][img_key]["info"] = get_video_info(video_path)
+                new_meta.info.features[img_key]["info"] = get_video_info(
+                    video_path, camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config
+                )
 
         write_info(new_meta.info, new_meta.root)
 

src/lerobot/datasets/dataset_writer.py

@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ from .utils import (
 )
 from .video_utils import (
     StreamingVideoEncoder,
+    VideoEncoderConfig,
+    camera_encoder_defaults,
     concatenate_video_files,
     encode_video_frames,
     get_video_duration_in_s,
@@ -65,14 +67,19 @@ def _encode_video_worker(
     episode_index: int,
     root: Path,
     fps: int,
-    vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
     encoder_threads: int | None = None,
 ) -> Path:
     temp_path = Path(tempfile.mkdtemp(dir=root)) / f"{video_key}_{episode_index:03d}.mp4"
     fpath = DEFAULT_IMAGE_PATH.format(image_key=video_key, episode_index=episode_index, frame_index=0)
     img_dir = (root / fpath).parent
     encode_video_frames(
-        img_dir, temp_path, fps, vcodec=vcodec, overwrite=True, encoder_threads=encoder_threads
+        img_dir,
+        temp_path,
+        fps,
+        camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
+        encoder_threads=encoder_threads,
+        overwrite=True,
     )
     shutil.rmtree(img_dir)
     return temp_path
@@ -89,20 +96,22 @@ class DatasetWriter:
         self,
         meta: LeRobotDatasetMetadata,
         root: Path,
-        vcodec: str,
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None,
         encoder_threads: int | None,
         batch_encoding_size: int,
         streaming_encoder: StreamingVideoEncoder | None = None,
         initial_frames: int = 0,
     ):
-        """Initialize the writer with metadata, codec, and encoding config.
+        """Initialize the writer with metadata, codec, and encoder config.
 
         Args:
             meta: Dataset metadata instance (used for feature schema, chunk
                 settings, and episode persistence).
             root: Local dataset root directory.
-            vcodec: Video codec for encoding (e.g. ``'libsvtav1'``, ``'h264'``).
-            encoder_threads: Threads per encoder instance. ``None`` for auto.
+            camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings applied to all cameras.
+                ``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`.
+            encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads (global). ``None``
+                lets the codec decide.
             batch_encoding_size: Number of episodes to accumulate before
                 batch-encoding videos.
             streaming_encoder: Optional pre-built :class:`StreamingVideoEncoder`
@@ -111,7 +120,7 @@ class DatasetWriter:
         """
         self._meta = meta
         self._root = root
-        self._vcodec = vcodec
+        self._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config or camera_encoder_defaults()
         self._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
         self._batch_encoding_size = batch_encoding_size
         self._streaming_encoder = streaming_encoder
@@ -284,7 +293,7 @@ class DatasetWriter:
                             episode_index,
                             self._root,
                             self._meta.fps,
-                            self._vcodec,
+                            self._camera_encoder_config,
                             self._encoder_threads,
                         ): video_key
                         for video_key in self._meta.video_keys
@@ -495,7 +504,7 @@ class DatasetWriter:
 
         # Update video info (only needed when first episode is encoded)
         if episode_index == 0:
-            self._meta.update_video_info(video_key)
+            self._meta.update_video_info(video_key, camera_encoder_config=self._camera_encoder_config)
             write_info(self._meta.info, self._meta.root)
 
         metadata = {
@@ -564,7 +573,12 @@ class DatasetWriter:
     def _encode_temporary_episode_video(self, video_key: str, episode_index: int) -> Path:
         """Use ffmpeg to convert frames stored as png into mp4 videos."""
         return _encode_video_worker(
-            video_key, episode_index, self._root, self._meta.fps, self._vcodec, self._encoder_threads
+            video_key,
+            episode_index,
+            self._root,
+            self._meta.fps,
+            self._camera_encoder_config,
+            self._encoder_threads,
         )
 
     def close_writer(self) -> None:

src/lerobot/datasets/factory.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from pprint import pformat
 import torch
 
 from lerobot.configs import PreTrainedConfig
+from lerobot.configs.rewards import RewardModelConfig
 from lerobot.configs.train import TrainPipelineConfig
 from lerobot.transforms import ImageTransforms
 from lerobot.utils.constants import ACTION, IMAGENET_STATS, OBS_PREFIX, REWARD
@@ -30,12 +31,14 @@ from .streaming_dataset import StreamingLeRobotDataset
 
 
 def resolve_delta_timestamps(
-    cfg: PreTrainedConfig, ds_meta: LeRobotDatasetMetadata
+    cfg: PreTrainedConfig | RewardModelConfig, ds_meta: LeRobotDatasetMetadata
 ) -> dict[str, list] | None:
-    """Resolves delta_timestamps by reading from the 'delta_indices' properties of the PreTrainedConfig.
+    """Resolves delta_timestamps by reading from the 'delta_indices' properties of the config.
 
     Args:
-        cfg (PreTrainedConfig): The PreTrainedConfig to read delta_indices from.
+        cfg (PreTrainedConfig | RewardModelConfig): The config to read delta_indices from. Both
+            ``PreTrainedConfig`` and concrete ``RewardModelConfig`` subclasses expose the
+            ``{observation,action,reward}_delta_indices`` properties used below.
         ds_meta (LeRobotDatasetMetadata): The dataset from which features and fps are used to build
             delta_timestamps against.
 
@@ -82,7 +85,7 @@ def make_dataset(cfg: TrainPipelineConfig) -> LeRobotDataset | MultiLeRobotDatas
         ds_meta = LeRobotDatasetMetadata(
             cfg.dataset.repo_id, root=cfg.dataset.root, revision=cfg.dataset.revision
         )
-        delta_timestamps = resolve_delta_timestamps(cfg.policy, ds_meta)
+        delta_timestamps = resolve_delta_timestamps(cfg.trainable_config, ds_meta)
         if not cfg.dataset.streaming:
             dataset = LeRobotDataset(
                 cfg.dataset.repo_id,

src/lerobot/datasets/feature_utils.py

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from .utils import (
     DEFAULT_DATA_PATH,
     DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB,
     DEFAULT_VIDEO_PATH,
+    DatasetInfo,
 )
 
 
@@ -78,8 +79,8 @@ def create_empty_dataset_info(
     chunks_size: int | None = None,
     data_files_size_in_mb: int | None = None,
     video_files_size_in_mb: int | None = None,
-) -> dict:
-    """Create a template dictionary for a new dataset's `info.json`.
+) -> DatasetInfo:
+    """Create a template ``DatasetInfo`` object for a new dataset's ``meta/info.json``.
 
     Args:
         codebase_version (str): The version of the LeRobot codebase.
@@ -87,25 +88,24 @@ def create_empty_dataset_info(
         features (dict): The LeRobot features dictionary for the dataset.
         use_videos (bool): Whether the dataset will store videos.
         robot_type (str | None): The type of robot used, if any.
+        chunks_size (int | None): Max files per chunk directory. Defaults to ``DEFAULT_CHUNK_SIZE``.
+        data_files_size_in_mb (int | None): Max parquet file size in MB. Defaults to ``DEFAULT_DATA_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB``.
+        video_files_size_in_mb (int | None): Max video file size in MB. Defaults to ``DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB``.
 
     Returns:
-        dict: A dictionary with the initial dataset metadata.
+        DatasetInfo: A typed dataset information object with initial metadata.
     """
-    return {
-        "codebase_version": codebase_version,
-        "robot_type": robot_type,
-        "total_episodes": 0,
-        "total_frames": 0,
-        "total_tasks": 0,
-        "chunks_size": chunks_size or DEFAULT_CHUNK_SIZE,
-        "data_files_size_in_mb": data_files_size_in_mb or DEFAULT_DATA_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB,
-        "video_files_size_in_mb": video_files_size_in_mb or DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB,
-        "fps": fps,
-        "splits": {},
-        "data_path": DEFAULT_DATA_PATH,
-        "video_path": DEFAULT_VIDEO_PATH if use_videos else None,
-        "features": features,
-    }
+    return DatasetInfo(
+        codebase_version=codebase_version,
+        fps=fps,
+        features=features,
+        robot_type=robot_type,
+        chunks_size=chunks_size or DEFAULT_CHUNK_SIZE,
+        data_files_size_in_mb=data_files_size_in_mb or DEFAULT_DATA_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB,
+        video_files_size_in_mb=video_files_size_in_mb or DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB,
+        data_path=DEFAULT_DATA_PATH,
+        video_path=DEFAULT_VIDEO_PATH if use_videos else None,
+    )
 
 
 def check_delta_timestamps(

src/lerobot/datasets/io_utils.py

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ from .utils import (
     EPISODES_DIR,
     INFO_PATH,
     STATS_PATH,
+    DatasetInfo,
     serialize_dict,
 )
 
@@ -115,25 +116,21 @@ def embed_images(dataset: datasets.Dataset) -> datasets.Dataset:
     return dataset
 
 
-def write_info(info: dict, local_dir: Path) -> None:
-    write_json(info, local_dir / INFO_PATH)
+def write_info(info: DatasetInfo, local_dir: Path) -> None:
+    write_json(info.to_dict(), local_dir / INFO_PATH)
 
 
-def load_info(local_dir: Path) -> dict:
+def load_info(local_dir: Path) -> DatasetInfo:
     """Load dataset info metadata from its standard file path.
 
-    Also converts shape lists to tuples for consistency.
-
     Args:
         local_dir (Path): The root directory of the dataset.
 
     Returns:
-        dict: The dataset information dictionary.
+        DatasetInfo: The typed dataset information object.
     """
-    info = load_json(local_dir / INFO_PATH)
-    for ft in info["features"].values():
-        ft["shape"] = tuple(ft["shape"])
-    return info
+    raw = load_json(local_dir / INFO_PATH)
+    return DatasetInfo.from_dict(raw)
 
 
 def write_stats(stats: dict, local_dir: Path) -> None:

src/lerobot/datasets/lerobot_dataset.py

@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ from .utils import (
 )
 from .video_utils import (
     StreamingVideoEncoder,
-    get_safe_default_codec,
-    resolve_vcodec,
+    VideoEncoderConfig,
+    get_safe_default_video_backend,
 )
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -58,10 +58,10 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         video_backend: str | None = None,
         return_uint8: bool = False,
         batch_encoding_size: int = 1,
-        vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
+        encoder_threads: int | None = None,
         streaming_encoding: bool = False,
         encoder_queue_maxsize: int = 30,
-        encoder_threads: int | None = None,
     ):
         """
         2 modes are available for instantiating this class, depending on 2 different use cases:
@@ -177,16 +177,15 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
                 You can also use the 'pyav' decoder used by Torchvision, which used to be the default option, or 'video_reader' which is another decoder of Torchvision.
             batch_encoding_size (int, optional): Number of episodes to accumulate before batch encoding videos.
                 Set to 1 for immediate encoding (default), or higher for batched encoding. Defaults to 1.
-            vcodec (str, optional): Video codec for encoding videos during recording. Options: 'h264', 'hevc',
-                'libsvtav1', 'auto', or hardware-specific codecs like 'h264_videotoolbox', 'h264_nvenc'.
-                Defaults to 'libsvtav1'. Use 'auto' to auto-detect the best available hardware encoder.
+            camera_encoder_config (VideoEncoderConfig | None, optional): Video encoder settings for cameras
+                (codec, quality, etc.). When ``None``, :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`
+                is used by the writer.
+            encoder_threads (int | None, optional): Number of encoder threads (global). ``None`` lets the
+                codec decide.
             streaming_encoding (bool, optional): If True, encode video frames in real-time during capture
                 instead of writing PNG images first. This makes save_episode() near-instant. Defaults to False.
             encoder_queue_maxsize (int, optional): Maximum number of frames to buffer per camera when using
                 streaming encoding. Defaults to 30 (~1s at 30fps).
-            encoder_threads (int | None, optional): Number of threads per encoder instance. None lets the
-                codec auto-detect (default). Lower values reduce CPU usage per encoder. Maps to 'lp' (via svtav1-params) for
-                libsvtav1 and 'threads' for h264/hevc.
 
         Note:
             Write-mode parameters (``streaming_encoding``, ``batch_encoding_size``) passed to
@@ -202,10 +201,9 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         self.episodes = episodes
         self.tolerance_s = tolerance_s
         self.revision = revision if revision else CODEBASE_VERSION
-        self._video_backend = video_backend if video_backend else get_safe_default_codec()
+        self._video_backend = video_backend if video_backend else get_safe_default_video_backend()
         self._return_uint8 = return_uint8
         self._batch_encoding_size = batch_encoding_size
-        self._vcodec = resolve_vcodec(vcodec)
         self._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
 
         if self._requested_root is not None:
@@ -251,12 +249,15 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             streaming_enc = None
             if streaming_encoding and len(self.meta.video_keys) > 0:
                 streaming_enc = self._build_streaming_encoder(
-                    self.meta.fps, self._vcodec, encoder_queue_maxsize, encoder_threads
+                    self.meta.fps,
+                    camera_encoder_config,
+                    encoder_queue_maxsize,
+                    encoder_threads,
                 )
             self.writer = DatasetWriter(
                 meta=self.meta,
                 root=self.root,
-                vcodec=self._vcodec,
+                camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
                 encoder_threads=encoder_threads,
                 batch_encoding_size=batch_encoding_size,
                 streaming_encoder=streaming_enc,
@@ -298,17 +299,13 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
     @staticmethod
     def _build_streaming_encoder(
         fps: int,
-        vcodec: str,
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None,
         encoder_queue_maxsize: int,
         encoder_threads: int | None,
     ) -> StreamingVideoEncoder:
         return StreamingVideoEncoder(
             fps=fps,
-            vcodec=vcodec,
-            pix_fmt="yuv420p",
-            g=2,
-            crf=30,
-            preset=None,
+            camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
             queue_maxsize=encoder_queue_maxsize,
             encoder_threads=encoder_threads,
         )
@@ -625,11 +622,13 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         image_writer_threads: int = 0,
         video_backend: str | None = None,
         batch_encoding_size: int = 1,
-        vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
         metadata_buffer_size: int = 10,
         streaming_encoding: bool = False,
         encoder_queue_maxsize: int = 30,
         encoder_threads: int | None = None,
+        video_files_size_in_mb: int | None = None,
+        data_files_size_in_mb: int | None = None,
     ) -> "LeRobotDataset":
         """Create a new LeRobotDataset from scratch for recording data.
 
@@ -654,20 +653,20 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             video_backend: Video decoding backend (used when reading back).
             batch_encoding_size: Number of episodes to accumulate before
                 batch-encoding videos. ``1`` means encode immediately.
-            vcodec: Video codec for encoding. Options include ``'libsvtav1'``,
-                ``'h264'``, ``'hevc'``, ``'auto'``.
+            camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings for cameras (codec, quality, etc.).
+                When ``None``, :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults` is used.
+            encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads (global). ``None``
+                lets the codec decide.
             metadata_buffer_size: Number of episode metadata records to buffer
                 before flushing to parquet.
             streaming_encoding: If ``True``, encode video frames in real-time
                 during capture instead of writing images first.
             encoder_queue_maxsize: Max buffered frames per camera when using
                 streaming encoding.
-            encoder_threads: Threads per encoder instance. ``None`` for auto.
 
         Returns:
             A new :class:`LeRobotDataset` in write mode.
         """
-        vcodec = resolve_vcodec(vcodec)
         obj = cls.__new__(cls)
         obj.meta = LeRobotDatasetMetadata.create(
             repo_id=repo_id,
@@ -677,6 +676,8 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             root=root,
             use_videos=use_videos,
             metadata_buffer_size=metadata_buffer_size,
+            video_files_size_in_mb=video_files_size_in_mb,
+            data_files_size_in_mb=data_files_size_in_mb,
         )
         obj.repo_id = obj.meta.repo_id
         obj._requested_root = obj.meta.root
@@ -686,23 +687,23 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         obj.image_transforms = None
         obj.delta_timestamps = None
         obj.episodes = None
-        obj._video_backend = video_backend if video_backend is not None else get_safe_default_codec()
+        obj._video_backend = video_backend if video_backend is not None else get_safe_default_video_backend()
         obj._return_uint8 = False
         obj._batch_encoding_size = batch_encoding_size
-        obj._vcodec = vcodec
         obj._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
 
         # Reader is lazily created on first access (write-only mode)
         obj.reader = None
 
-        # Create writer
         streaming_enc = None
         if streaming_encoding and len(obj.meta.video_keys) > 0:
-            streaming_enc = cls._build_streaming_encoder(fps, vcodec, encoder_queue_maxsize, encoder_threads)
+            streaming_enc = cls._build_streaming_encoder(
+                fps, camera_encoder_config, encoder_queue_maxsize, encoder_threads
+            )
         obj.writer = DatasetWriter(
             meta=obj.meta,
             root=obj.root,
-            vcodec=vcodec,
+            camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
             encoder_threads=encoder_threads,
             batch_encoding_size=batch_encoding_size,
             streaming_encoder=streaming_enc,
@@ -725,12 +726,12 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         force_cache_sync: bool = False,
         video_backend: str | None = None,
         batch_encoding_size: int = 1,
-        vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
+        encoder_threads: int | None = None,
         image_writer_processes: int = 0,
         image_writer_threads: int = 0,
         streaming_encoding: bool = False,
         encoder_queue_maxsize: int = 30,
-        encoder_threads: int | None = None,
     ) -> "LeRobotDataset":
         """Resume recording on an existing dataset.
 
@@ -753,13 +754,15 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             video_backend: Video decoding backend for reading back data.
             batch_encoding_size: Number of episodes to accumulate before
                 batch-encoding videos.
-            vcodec: Video codec for encoding.
+            camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings for cameras (codec, quality, etc.).
+                When ``None``, :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults` is used.
+            encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads (global). ``None``
+                lets the codec decide.
             image_writer_processes: Subprocesses for async image writing.
             image_writer_threads: Threads for async image writing.
             streaming_encoding: If ``True``, encode video in real-time during
                 capture.
             encoder_queue_maxsize: Max buffered frames per camera for streaming.
-            encoder_threads: Threads per encoder instance. ``None`` for auto.
 
         Returns:
             A :class:`LeRobotDataset` in write mode, ready to append episodes.
@@ -770,7 +773,6 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
                 "Writing into the revision-safe Hub snapshot cache (used when root=None) would corrupt "
                 "the shared cache. Please provide a local directory path."
             )
-        vcodec = resolve_vcodec(vcodec)
         obj = cls.__new__(cls)
         obj.repo_id = repo_id
         obj._requested_root = Path(root)
@@ -779,11 +781,9 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         obj.image_transforms = None
         obj.delta_timestamps = None
         obj.episodes = None
-        obj._video_backend = video_backend if video_backend else get_safe_default_codec()
+        obj._video_backend = video_backend if video_backend else get_safe_default_video_backend()
         obj._return_uint8 = False
         obj._batch_encoding_size = batch_encoding_size
-        obj._vcodec = vcodec
-        obj._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
 
         if obj._requested_root is not None:
             obj._requested_root.mkdir(exist_ok=True, parents=True)
@@ -792,21 +792,22 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         obj.meta = LeRobotDatasetMetadata(
             obj.repo_id, obj._requested_root, obj.revision, force_cache_sync=force_cache_sync
         )
+
+        obj._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
         obj.root = obj.meta.root
 
         # Reader is lazily created on first access (write-only mode)
         obj.reader = None
 
-        # Create writer for appending
         streaming_enc = None
         if streaming_encoding and len(obj.meta.video_keys) > 0:
             streaming_enc = cls._build_streaming_encoder(
-                obj.meta.fps, vcodec, encoder_queue_maxsize, encoder_threads
+                obj.meta.fps, camera_encoder_config, encoder_queue_maxsize, encoder_threads
             )
         obj.writer = DatasetWriter(
             meta=obj.meta,
             root=obj.root,
-            vcodec=vcodec,
+            camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
             encoder_threads=encoder_threads,
             batch_encoding_size=batch_encoding_size,
             streaming_encoder=streaming_enc,

src/lerobot/datasets/multi_dataset.py

@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ class MultiLeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
 
         NOTE: Fow now, this relies on a check in __init__ to make sure all sub-datasets have the same info.
         """
-        return self._datasets[0].meta.info["fps"]
+        return self._datasets[0].meta.info.fps
 
     @property
     def video(self) -> bool:
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ class MultiLeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
 
         NOTE: Fow now, this relies on a check in __init__ to make sure all sub-datasets have the same info.
         """
-        return self._datasets[0].meta.info.get("video", False)
+        return len(self._datasets[0].meta.video_keys) > 0
 
     @property
     def features(self) -> datasets.Features:

src/lerobot/datasets/pyav_utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2026 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+"""PyAV-based compatibility checks for :class:`VideoEncoderConfig`.
+
+Centralises all :mod:`av` introspection of the bundled FFmpeg build.
+Checks degrade to a no-op when the target codec isn't available locally.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import functools
+import logging
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
+
+import av
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from .video_utils import VideoEncoderConfig
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+FFMPEG_NUMERIC_OPTION_TYPES = ("INT", "INT64", "UINT64", "FLOAT", "DOUBLE")
+FFMPEG_INTEGER_OPTION_TYPES = ("INT", "INT64", "UINT64")
+
+
+@functools.cache
+def get_codec(vcodec: str) -> av.codec.Codec | None:
+    """PyAV write-mode ``Codec`` for *vcodec*, or ``None`` if unavailable."""
+    try:
+        return av.codec.Codec(vcodec, "w")
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+@functools.cache
+def _get_codec_options_by_name(vcodec: str) -> dict[str, av.option.Option]:
+    """Private-option name → PyAV ``Option`` for *vcodec* (empty if unavailable)."""
+    codec = get_codec(vcodec)
+    if codec is None:
+        return {}
+    return {opt.name: opt for opt in codec.descriptor.options}
+
+
+@functools.cache
+def _get_codec_video_formats(vcodec: str) -> tuple[str, ...]:
+    """Pixel formats accepted by *vcodec* in PyAV's preferred order (empty if unknown)."""
+    codec = get_codec(vcodec)
+    if codec is None:
+        return ()
+    return tuple(fmt.name for fmt in (codec.video_formats or []))
+
+
+def detect_available_encoders_pyav(encoders: list[str] | str) -> list[str]:
+    """Return the subset of *encoders* available as video encoders in the local FFmpeg build.
+
+    Each name is probed directly via :func:`get_codec`; input order is preserved.
+    """
+    if isinstance(encoders, str):
+        encoders = [encoders]
+
+    available: list[str] = []
+    for name in encoders:
+        codec = get_codec(name)
+        if codec is not None and codec.type == "video":
+            available.append(name)
+        else:
+            logger.debug("encoder '%s' not available as video encoder", name)
+    return available
+
+
+def _check_option_value(vcodec: str, label: str, value: Any, opt: av.option.Option) -> None:
+    """Range-check numeric *value* and choice-check string *value* against *opt*."""
+    type_name = opt.type.name
+    if type_name in FFMPEG_NUMERIC_OPTION_TYPES:
+        if isinstance(value, bool):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"{label}={value!r} is not numeric; codec {vcodec!r} expects a number for this option."
+            )
+        elif isinstance(value, str):
+            try:
+                num_val = float(value)
+            except ValueError as e:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"{label}={value!r} is not numeric; codec {vcodec!r} expects a number for this option."
+                ) from e
+        elif isinstance(value, (float, int)):
+            num_val = value
+        else:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"{label}={value!r} is not numeric; codec {vcodec!r} expects a number for this option."
+            )
+
+        # Check integer type compatibility
+        if type_name in FFMPEG_INTEGER_OPTION_TYPES and not num_val.is_integer():
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"{label}={num_val!r} must be an integer for codec {vcodec!r} "
+                f"(FFmpeg option {opt.name!r} is {type_name}); float values are not allowed."
+            )
+
+        # Check numeric range compatibility
+        lo, hi = float(opt.min), float(opt.max)
+        if lo < hi and not (lo <= num_val <= hi):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"{label}={num_val} is out of range for codec {vcodec!r}; must be in [{lo}, {hi}]"
+            )
+
+    elif type_name == "STRING":
+        if isinstance(value, bool):
+            raise ValueError(f"{label}={value!r} is not a valid string value for codec {vcodec!r}.")
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            str_val = value
+        elif isinstance(value, (int, float)):
+            str_val = str(value)
+        else:
+            raise ValueError(f"{label}={value!r} has unsupported type for STRING option on codec {vcodec!r}")
+
+        # Check string choice compatibility
+        choices = [c.name for c in (opt.choices or [])]
+        if choices and str_val not in choices:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"{label}={str_val!r} is not a supported choice for codec "
+                f"{vcodec!r}; valid choices: {choices}"
+            )
+    else:
+        return
+
+
+def _check_pixel_format(vcodec: str, pix_fmt: str) -> None:
+    formats = _get_codec_video_formats(vcodec)
+    if formats and pix_fmt not in formats:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"pix_fmt={pix_fmt!r} is not supported by codec {vcodec!r}; "
+            f"supported pixel formats: {list(formats)}"
+        )
+
+
+def _check_codec_options(vcodec: str, codec_options: dict[str, Any], config: VideoEncoderConfig) -> None:
+    """Validate merged encoder options (typed) against the codec's published AVOptions."""
+    supported_options = _get_codec_options_by_name(vcodec)
+    for key, value in codec_options.items():
+        # GOP size is not a codec-specific option, it has to be validated separately.
+        if key == "g":
+            if isinstance(value, bool) or not isinstance(value, int) or value < 1:
+                raise ValueError(f"g={value!r} must be a positive integer for codec {vcodec!r}")
+            continue
+        if key not in supported_options:
+            continue
+        opt = supported_options[key]
+        label = f"extra_options[{key!r}]" if key in config.extra_options else key
+        _check_option_value(vcodec, label, value, opt)
+
+
+def check_video_encoder_config_pyav(config: VideoEncoderConfig) -> None:
+    """Verify *config* is compatible with the bundled FFmpeg build.
+
+    Checks pixel format, abstract tuning-field compatibility, and each merged
+    encoder option from :meth:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.VideoEncoderConfig.get_codec_options`
+    against PyAV (including numeric ``extra_options`` present in that dict).
+    No-op when ``config.vcodec`` isn't in the local FFmpeg build.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: on the first incompatibility encountered.
+    """
+    vcodec = config.vcodec
+    options = _get_codec_options_by_name(vcodec)
+    if not options:
+        raise ValueError(f"Codec {vcodec!r} is not available in the bundled FFmpeg build")
+    _check_pixel_format(config.vcodec, config.pix_fmt)
+    _check_codec_options(config.vcodec, config.get_codec_options(), config)

src/lerobot/datasets/streaming_dataset.py

@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ class StreamingLeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.IterableDataset):
 
     def _make_padding_camera_frame(self, camera_key: str):
         """Variable-shape padding frame for given camera keys, given in (H, W, C)"""
-        return torch.zeros(self.meta.info["features"][camera_key]["shape"]).permute(-1, 0, 1)
+        return torch.zeros(self.meta.info.features[camera_key]["shape"]).permute(-1, 0, 1)
 
     def _get_video_frame_padding_mask(
         self,

src/lerobot/datasets/utils.py

@@ -14,9 +14,11 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 import contextlib
+import dataclasses
 import importlib.resources
 import json
 import logging
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import datasets
@@ -70,6 +72,9 @@ class ForwardCompatibilityError(CompatibilityError):
         super().__init__(message)
 
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
 DEFAULT_CHUNK_SIZE = 1000  # Max number of files per chunk
 DEFAULT_DATA_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB = 100  # Max size per file
 DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB = 200  # Max size per file
@@ -94,6 +99,123 @@ LEGACY_EPISODES_STATS_PATH = "meta/episodes_stats.jsonl"
 LEGACY_TASKS_PATH = "meta/tasks.jsonl"
 
 
+@dataclass
+class DatasetInfo:
+    """Typed representation of the ``meta/info.json`` file for a LeRobot dataset.
+
+    Replaces the previously untyped ``dict`` returned by ``load_info()`` and
+    created by ``create_empty_dataset_info()``.  Using a dataclass provides
+    explicit field definitions, IDE auto-completion, and validation at
+    construction time.
+    """
+
+    codebase_version: str
+    fps: int
+    features: dict[str, dict]
+
+    # Episode / frame counters — start at zero for new datasets
+    total_episodes: int = 0
+    total_frames: int = 0
+    total_tasks: int = 0
+
+    # Storage settings
+    chunks_size: int = field(default=DEFAULT_CHUNK_SIZE)
+    data_files_size_in_mb: int = field(default=DEFAULT_DATA_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB)
+    video_files_size_in_mb: int = field(default=DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB)
+
+    # File path templates
+    data_path: str = field(default=DEFAULT_DATA_PATH)
+    video_path: str | None = field(default=DEFAULT_VIDEO_PATH)
+
+    # Optional metadata
+    robot_type: str | None = None
+    splits: dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
+
+    def __post_init__(self) -> None:
+        # Coerce feature shapes from list to tuple — JSON deserialisation
+        # returns lists, but the rest of the codebase expects tuples.
+        for ft in self.features.values():
+            if isinstance(ft.get("shape"), list):
+                ft["shape"] = tuple(ft["shape"])
+
+        if self.fps <= 0:
+            raise ValueError(f"fps must be positive, got {self.fps}")
+        if self.chunks_size <= 0:
+            raise ValueError(f"chunks_size must be positive, got {self.chunks_size}")
+        if self.data_files_size_in_mb <= 0:
+            raise ValueError(f"data_files_size_in_mb must be positive, got {self.data_files_size_in_mb}")
+        if self.video_files_size_in_mb <= 0:
+            raise ValueError(f"video_files_size_in_mb must be positive, got {self.video_files_size_in_mb}")
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict:
+        """Return a JSON-serialisable dict.
+
+        Converts tuple shapes back to lists so ``json.dump`` can handle them.
+        """
+        d = dataclasses.asdict(self)
+        for ft in d["features"].values():
+            if isinstance(ft.get("shape"), tuple):
+                ft["shape"] = list(ft["shape"])
+        return d
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, data: dict) -> "DatasetInfo":
+        """Construct from a raw dict (e.g. loaded directly from JSON).
+
+        Unknown keys are ignored for forward compatibility with datasets that
+        carry additional fields (e.g. ``total_videos`` from v2.x). A warning is
+        logged when such fields are present.
+        """
+        known = {f.name for f in dataclasses.fields(cls)}
+        unknown = sorted(k for k in data if k not in known)
+        if unknown:
+            logger.warning(f"Unknown fields in DatasetInfo: {unknown}. These will be ignored.")
+        return cls(**{k: v for k, v in data.items() if k in known})
+
+    # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Temporary dict-style compatibility layer
+    # Allows existing ``info["key"]`` call-sites to keep working without changes.
+    # Once all callers have been migrated to attribute access, remove these.
+    # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def __getitem__(self, key: str):
+        import warnings
+
+        warnings.warn(
+            f"Accessing DatasetInfo with dict-style syntax info['{key}'] is deprecated. "
+            f"Use attribute access info.{key} instead.",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
+        try:
+            return getattr(self, key)
+        except AttributeError as err:
+            raise KeyError(key) from err
+
+    def __setitem__(self, key: str, value) -> None:
+        import warnings
+
+        warnings.warn(
+            f"Setting DatasetInfo with dict-style syntax info['{key}'] = ... is deprecated. "
+            f"Use attribute assignment info.{key} = ... instead.",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
+        if not hasattr(self, key):
+            raise KeyError(f"DatasetInfo has no field '{key}'")
+        setattr(self, key, value)
+
+    def __contains__(self, key: str) -> bool:
+        """Check if a field exists (dict-like interface)."""
+        return hasattr(self, key)
+
+    def get(self, key: str, default=None):
+        """Get attribute value with default fallback (dict-like interface)."""
+        try:
+            return getattr(self, key)
+        except AttributeError:
+            return default
+
+
 def has_legacy_hub_download_metadata(root: Path) -> bool:
     """Return ``True`` when *root* looks like a legacy Hub ``local_dir`` mirror.
 
@@ -294,7 +416,7 @@ def create_branch(repo_id: str, *, branch: str, repo_type: str | None = None) ->
 
 def create_lerobot_dataset_card(
     tags: list | None = None,
-    dataset_info: dict | None = None,
+    dataset_info: DatasetInfo | None = None,
     **kwargs,
 ) -> DatasetCard:
     """Create a `DatasetCard` for a LeRobot dataset.
@@ -305,7 +427,7 @@ def create_lerobot_dataset_card(
 
     Args:
         tags (list | None): A list of tags to add to the dataset card.
-        dataset_info (dict | None): The dataset's info dictionary, which will
+        dataset_info (DatasetInfo | None): The dataset's info object, which will
             be displayed on the card.
         **kwargs: Additional keyword arguments to populate the card template.
 
@@ -318,7 +440,7 @@ def create_lerobot_dataset_card(
         card_tags += tags
     if dataset_info:
         dataset_structure = "[meta/info.json](meta/info.json):\n"
-        dataset_structure += f"```json\n{json.dumps(dataset_info, indent=4)}\n```\n"
+        dataset_structure += f"```json\n{json.dumps(dataset_info.to_dict(), indent=4)}\n```\n"
         kwargs = {**kwargs, "dataset_structure": dataset_structure}
     card_data = DatasetCardData(
         license=kwargs.get("license"),

src/lerobot/datasets/video_utils.py

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import shutil
 import tempfile
 import threading
 import warnings
-from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from dataclasses import asdict, dataclass, field
 from fractions import Fraction
 from pathlib import Path
 from threading import Lock
@@ -37,13 +37,18 @@ import torchvision
 from datasets.features.features import register_feature
 from PIL import Image
 
-from lerobot.utils.import_utils import get_safe_default_codec
+from lerobot.utils.import_utils import get_safe_default_video_backend
+
+from .pyav_utils import (
+    check_video_encoder_config_pyav,
+    detect_available_encoders_pyav,
+)
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # List of hardware encoders to probe for auto-selection. Availability depends on the platform and FFmpeg build.
 # Determines the order of preference for auto-selection when vcodec="auto" is used.
-HW_ENCODERS = [
+HW_VIDEO_CODECS = [
     "h264_videotoolbox",  # macOS
     "hevc_videotoolbox",  # macOS
     "h264_nvenc",  # NVIDIA GPU
@@ -52,70 +57,156 @@ HW_ENCODERS = [
     "h264_qsv",  # Intel Quick Sync
 ]
 
-VALID_VIDEO_CODECS = {"h264", "hevc", "libsvtav1", "auto"} | set(HW_ENCODERS)
+VALID_VIDEO_CODECS = {"h264", "hevc", "libsvtav1", "auto"} | set(HW_VIDEO_CODECS)
+
+LIBSVTAV1_DEFAULT_PRESET: int = 12
 
 
-def _get_codec_options(
-    vcodec: str,
-    g: int | None = 2,
-    crf: int | None = 30,
-    preset: int | None = None,
-) -> dict:
-    """Build codec-specific options dict for video encoding."""
-    options = {}
+@dataclass
+class VideoEncoderConfig:
+    """Video encoder configuration.
 
-    # GOP size (keyframe interval) - supported by VideoToolbox and software encoders
-    if g is not None and (vcodec in ("h264_videotoolbox", "hevc_videotoolbox") or vcodec not in HW_ENCODERS):
-        options["g"] = str(g)
+    Attributes:
+        vcodec: FFmpeg encoder name. ``"auto"`` is resolved during
+            construction (HW encoder if available, else ``libsvtav1``).
+        pix_fmt: Pixel format (e.g. ``"yuv420p"``).
+        g: GOP size (keyframe interval).
+        crf: Quality level — mapped to the native quality parameter of the
+            codec (``crf`` for software, ``qp`` for NVENC/VAAPI,
+            ``q:v`` for VideoToolbox, ``global_quality`` for QSV).
+        preset: Speed/quality preset. Accepted type is per-codec.
+        fast_decode: Fast-decode tuning. For ``libsvtav1`` this is a level (0-2)
+            embedded in ``svtav1-params``. For ``h264`` and ``hevc`` non-zero values
+            set ``tune=fastdecode``. Ignored for other codecs.
+        video_backend: Python library driving FFmpeg for encoding. Only ``"pyav"``
+            is currently supported.
+        extra_options: Free-form dictionary of additional FFmpeg options
+            (e.g. ``{"tune": "film", "profile:v": "high", "bf": 2}``).
+    """
 
-    # Quality control (codec-specific parameter names)
-    if crf is not None:
-        if vcodec in ("h264", "hevc", "libsvtav1"):
-            options["crf"] = str(crf)
-        elif vcodec in ("h264_videotoolbox", "hevc_videotoolbox"):
-            quality = max(1, min(100, int(100 - crf * 2)))
-            options["q:v"] = str(quality)
-        elif vcodec in ("h264_nvenc", "hevc_nvenc"):
-            options["rc"] = "constqp"
-            options["qp"] = str(crf)
-        elif vcodec in ("h264_vaapi",):
-            options["qp"] = str(crf)
-        elif vcodec in ("h264_qsv",):
-            options["global_quality"] = str(crf)
+    vcodec: str = "libsvtav1"
+    pix_fmt: str = "yuv420p"
+    g: int | None = 2
+    crf: int | None = 30
+    preset: int | str | None = None
+    fast_decode: int = 0
+    # TODO(CarolinePascal): add torchcodec support + find a way to unify the
+    # two backends (encoding and decoding).
+    video_backend: str = "pyav"
+    extra_options: dict[str, Any] = field(default_factory=dict)
 
-    # Preset (only for libsvtav1)
-    if vcodec == "libsvtav1":
-        options["preset"] = str(preset) if preset is not None else "12"
+    def __post_init__(self) -> None:
+        self.resolve_vcodec()
 
-    return options
+        # Empty-constructor ergonomics: ``VideoEncoderConfig()`` must "just work".
+        if self.preset is None and self.vcodec == "libsvtav1":
+            self.preset = LIBSVTAV1_DEFAULT_PRESET
+
+        self.validate()
+
+    def detect_available_encoders(self, encoders: list[str] | str) -> list[str]:
+        """Detect available encoders based on the video backend."""
+        if self.video_backend == "pyav":
+            return detect_available_encoders_pyav(encoders)
+        else:
+            return []
+
+    def validate(self) -> None:
+        """Validate the video encoder config."""
+        if self.video_backend == "pyav":
+            check_video_encoder_config_pyav(self)
+
+    def resolve_vcodec(self) -> None:
+        """Check ``vcodec`` and, when it is ``"auto"``, pick a concrete encoder.
+
+        For ``"auto"``, the first hardware encoder in the preference list that FFmpeg
+        exposes is chosen; if none are available, ``libsvtav1`` is used. If the
+        resolved codec (explicit or after auto-selection) is not present in the
+        local FFmpeg build, raises ``ValueError``.
+        """
+        if self.vcodec not in VALID_VIDEO_CODECS:
+            raise ValueError(f"Invalid vcodec '{self.vcodec}'. Must be one of: {sorted(VALID_VIDEO_CODECS)}")
+        if self.vcodec == "auto":
+            available = self.detect_available_encoders(HW_VIDEO_CODECS)
+            for encoder in HW_VIDEO_CODECS:
+                if encoder in available:
+                    logger.info(f"Auto-selected video codec: {encoder}")
+                    self.vcodec = encoder
+                    return
+            logger.warning("No hardware encoder available, falling back to software encoder 'libsvtav1'")
+            self.vcodec = "libsvtav1"
+
+        if self.detect_available_encoders(self.vcodec):
+            logger.info(f"Using video codec: {self.vcodec}")
+            return
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported video codec: {self.vcodec} with video backend {self.video_backend}")
+
+    def get_codec_options(
+        self, encoder_threads: int | None = None, as_strings: bool = False
+    ) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Translate the tuning fields to codec-specific FFmpeg options.
+
+        ``VideoEncoderConfig.extra_options`` are merged last but never override a structured field.
+
+        Args:
+            encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads set globally for all VideoEncoderConfigs.
+                For libsvtav1, this is mapped to ``lp`` via ``svtav1-params``.
+                For h264/hevc, this is mapped to ``threads``.
+                Hardware encoders ignore this parameter.
+            as_strings: If ``True``, casts values to strings.
+        """
+        opts: dict[str, Any] = {}
+
+        def set_if(key: str, value: Any) -> None:
+            if value is not None:
+                opts[key] = value if not as_strings else str(value)
+
+        # GOP size is not a codec-specific option, so it is always set.
+        set_if("g", self.g)
+
+        if self.vcodec == "libsvtav1":
+            set_if("crf", self.crf)
+            set_if("preset", self.preset)
+            svtav1_parts: list[str] = []
+            if self.fast_decode is not None:
+                svtav1_parts.append(f"fast-decode={max(0, min(2, self.fast_decode))}")
+            if encoder_threads is not None:
+                svtav1_parts.append(f"lp={encoder_threads}")
+            if svtav1_parts:
+                opts["svtav1-params"] = ":".join(svtav1_parts)
+        elif self.vcodec in ("h264", "hevc"):
+            set_if("crf", self.crf)
+            set_if("preset", self.preset)
+            if self.fast_decode:
+                opts["tune"] = "fastdecode"
+            set_if("threads", encoder_threads)
+        elif self.vcodec in ("h264_videotoolbox", "hevc_videotoolbox"):
+            if self.crf is not None:
+                opts["q:v"] = max(1, min(100, 100 - self.crf * 2))
+        elif self.vcodec in ("h264_nvenc", "hevc_nvenc"):
+            opts["rc"] = "constqp"
+            set_if("qp", self.crf)
+            set_if("preset", self.preset)
+        elif self.vcodec == "h264_vaapi":
+            set_if("qp", self.crf)
+        elif self.vcodec == "h264_qsv":
+            set_if("global_quality", self.crf)
+            set_if("preset", self.preset)
+        else:
+            set_if("crf", self.crf)
+            set_if("preset", self.preset)
+
+        # Extra options are merged last but never override structured fields (values are kept as given).
+        for k, v in self.extra_options.items():
+            if k not in opts:
+                set_if(k, v)
+
+        return opts
 
 
-def detect_available_hw_encoders() -> list[str]:
-    """Probe PyAV/FFmpeg for available hardware video encoders."""
-    available = []
-    for codec_name in HW_ENCODERS:
-        try:
-            av.codec.Codec(codec_name, "w")
-            available.append(codec_name)
-        except Exception:  # nosec B110
-            logger.debug("HW encoder '%s' not available", codec_name)  # nosec B110
-    return available
-
-
-def resolve_vcodec(vcodec: str) -> str:
-    """Validate vcodec and resolve 'auto' to best available HW encoder, fallback to libsvtav1."""
-    if vcodec not in VALID_VIDEO_CODECS:
-        raise ValueError(f"Invalid vcodec '{vcodec}'. Must be one of: {sorted(VALID_VIDEO_CODECS)}")
-    if vcodec != "auto":
-        logger.info(f"Using video codec: {vcodec}")
-        return vcodec
-    available = detect_available_hw_encoders()
-    for encoder in HW_ENCODERS:
-        if encoder in available:
-            logger.info(f"Auto-selected video codec: {encoder}")
-            return encoder
-    logger.info("No hardware encoder available, falling back to software encoder 'libsvtav1'")
-    return "libsvtav1"
+def camera_encoder_defaults() -> VideoEncoderConfig:
+    """Return a :class:`VideoEncoderConfig` with RGB-camera defaults."""
+    return VideoEncoderConfig()
 
 
 def decode_video_frames(
@@ -142,7 +233,7 @@ def decode_video_frames(
     Currently supports torchcodec on cpu and pyav.
     """
     if backend is None:
-        backend = get_safe_default_codec()
+        backend = get_safe_default_video_backend()
     if backend == "torchcodec":
         return decode_video_frames_torchcodec(video_path, timestamps, tolerance_s, return_uint8=return_uint8)
     elif backend in ["pyav", "video_reader"]:
@@ -400,18 +491,17 @@ def encode_video_frames(
     imgs_dir: Path | str,
     video_path: Path | str,
     fps: int,
-    vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
-    pix_fmt: str = "yuv420p",
-    g: int | None = 2,
-    crf: int | None = 30,
-    fast_decode: int = 0,
+    camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
+    encoder_threads: int | None = None,
+    *,
     log_level: int | None = av.logging.WARNING,
     overwrite: bool = False,
-    preset: int | None = None,
-    encoder_threads: int | None = None,
 ) -> None:
     """More info on ffmpeg arguments tuning on `benchmark/video/README.md`"""
-    vcodec = resolve_vcodec(vcodec)
+    if camera_encoder_config is None:
+        camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_defaults()
+    vcodec = camera_encoder_config.vcodec
+    pix_fmt = camera_encoder_config.pix_fmt
 
     video_path = Path(video_path)
     imgs_dir = Path(imgs_dir)
@@ -422,42 +512,18 @@ def encode_video_frames(
 
     video_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-    # Encoders/pixel formats incompatibility check
-    if (vcodec == "libsvtav1" or vcodec == "hevc") and pix_fmt == "yuv444p":
-        logger.warning(
-            f"Incompatible pixel format 'yuv444p' for codec {vcodec}, auto-selecting format 'yuv420p'"
-        )
-        pix_fmt = "yuv420p"
-
     # Get input frames
     template = "frame-" + ("[0-9]" * 6) + ".png"
     input_list = sorted(
         glob.glob(str(imgs_dir / template)), key=lambda x: int(x.split("-")[-1].split(".")[0])
     )
 
-    # Define video output frame size (assuming all input frames are the same size)
     if len(input_list) == 0:
         raise FileNotFoundError(f"No images found in {imgs_dir}.")
     with Image.open(input_list[0]) as dummy_image:
         width, height = dummy_image.size
 
-    # Define video codec options
-    video_options = _get_codec_options(vcodec, g, crf, preset)
-
-    if fast_decode:
-        key = "svtav1-params" if vcodec == "libsvtav1" else "tune"
-        value = f"fast-decode={fast_decode}" if vcodec == "libsvtav1" else "fastdecode"
-        video_options[key] = value
-
-    if encoder_threads is not None:
-        if vcodec == "libsvtav1":
-            lp_param = f"lp={encoder_threads}"
-            if "svtav1-params" in video_options:
-                video_options["svtav1-params"] += f":{lp_param}"
-            else:
-                video_options["svtav1-params"] = lp_param
-        else:
-            video_options["threads"] = str(encoder_threads)
+    video_options = camera_encoder_config.get_codec_options(encoder_threads, as_strings=True)
 
     # Set logging level
     if log_level is not None:
@@ -494,7 +560,10 @@ def encode_video_frames(
 
 
 def concatenate_video_files(
-    input_video_paths: list[Path | str], output_video_path: Path, overwrite: bool = True
+    input_video_paths: list[Path | str],
+    output_video_path: Path,
+    overwrite: bool = True,
+    compatibility_check: bool = False,
 ):
     """
     Concatenate multiple video files into a single video file using pyav.
@@ -507,6 +576,7 @@ def concatenate_video_files(
         input_video_paths: Ordered list of input video file paths to concatenate.
         output_video_path: Path to the output video file.
         overwrite: Whether to overwrite the output video file if it already exists. Default is True.
+        compatibility_check: Whether to check if the input videos are compatible. Default is False.
 
     Note:
         - Creates a temporary directory for intermediate files that is cleaned up after use.
@@ -525,6 +595,22 @@ def concatenate_video_files(
     if len(input_video_paths) == 0:
         raise FileNotFoundError("No input video paths provided.")
 
+    # This check may be skipped at recording time as videos are encoded with the same encoder config.
+    if compatibility_check:
+        reference_video_info = get_video_info(input_video_paths[0])
+        for input_path in input_video_paths[1:]:
+            video_info = get_video_info(input_path)
+            if (
+                video_info["video.height"] != reference_video_info["video.height"]
+                or video_info["video.width"] != reference_video_info["video.width"]
+                or video_info["video.fps"] != reference_video_info["video.fps"]
+                or video_info["video.codec"] != reference_video_info["video.codec"]
+                or video_info["video.pix_fmt"] != reference_video_info["video.pix_fmt"]
+            ):
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Input video {input_path} is not compatible with the reference video {input_video_paths[0]}."
+                )
+
     # Create a temporary .ffconcat file to list the input video paths
     with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode="w", suffix=".ffconcat", delete=False) as tmp_concatenate_file:
         tmp_concatenate_file.write("ffconcat version 1.0\n")
@@ -591,26 +677,20 @@ class _CameraEncoderThread(threading.Thread):
         fps: int,
         vcodec: str,
         pix_fmt: str,
-        g: int | None,
-        crf: int | None,
-        preset: int | None,
+        codec_options: dict[str, str],
         frame_queue: queue.Queue,
         result_queue: queue.Queue,
         stop_event: threading.Event,
-        encoder_threads: int | None = None,
     ):
         super().__init__(daemon=True)
         self.video_path = video_path
         self.fps = fps
         self.vcodec = vcodec
         self.pix_fmt = pix_fmt
-        self.g = g
-        self.crf = crf
-        self.preset = preset
+        self.codec_options = codec_options
         self.frame_queue = frame_queue
         self.result_queue = result_queue
         self.stop_event = stop_event
-        self.encoder_threads = encoder_threads
 
     def run(self) -> None:
         from .compute_stats import RunningQuantileStats, auto_downsample_height_width
@@ -646,19 +726,9 @@ class _CameraEncoderThread(threading.Thread):
                 # Open container on first frame (to get width/height)
                 if container is None:
                     height, width = frame_data.shape[:2]
-                    video_options = _get_codec_options(self.vcodec, self.g, self.crf, self.preset)
-                    if self.encoder_threads is not None:
-                        if self.vcodec == "libsvtav1":
-                            lp_param = f"lp={self.encoder_threads}"
-                            if "svtav1-params" in video_options:
-                                video_options["svtav1-params"] += f":{lp_param}"
-                            else:
-                                video_options["svtav1-params"] = lp_param
-                        else:
-                            video_options["threads"] = str(self.encoder_threads)
                     Path(self.video_path).parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
                     container = av.open(str(self.video_path), "w")
-                    output_stream = container.add_stream(self.vcodec, self.fps, options=video_options)
+                    output_stream = container.add_stream(self.vcodec, self.fps, options=self.codec_options)
                     output_stream.pix_fmt = self.pix_fmt
                     output_stream.width = width
                     output_stream.height = height
@@ -724,22 +794,24 @@ class StreamingVideoEncoder:
     def __init__(
         self,
         fps: int,
-        vcodec: str = "libsvtav1",
-        pix_fmt: str = "yuv420p",
-        g: int | None = 2,
-        crf: int | None = 30,
-        preset: int | None = None,
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
         queue_maxsize: int = 30,
         encoder_threads: int | None = None,
     ):
+        """
+        Args:
+            fps: Frames per second for the output videos.
+            camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings applied to all cameras.
+                When ``None``, :func:`camera_encoder_defaults` is used.
+            encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads (global setting).
+                ``None`` lets the codec decide.
+            queue_maxsize: Max frames to buffer per camera before
+                back-pressure drops frames.
+        """
         self.fps = fps
-        self.vcodec = resolve_vcodec(vcodec)
-        self.pix_fmt = pix_fmt
-        self.g = g
-        self.crf = crf
-        self.preset = preset
+        self._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config or camera_encoder_defaults()
+        self._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
         self.queue_maxsize = queue_maxsize
-        self.encoder_threads = encoder_threads
 
         self._frame_queues: dict[str, queue.Queue] = {}
         self._result_queues: dict[str, queue.Queue] = {}
@@ -770,18 +842,19 @@ class StreamingVideoEncoder:
             temp_video_dir = Path(tempfile.mkdtemp(dir=temp_dir))
             video_path = temp_video_dir / f"{video_key.replace('/', '_')}_streaming.mp4"
 
+            vcodec = self._camera_encoder_config.vcodec
+            codec_options = self._camera_encoder_config.get_codec_options(
+                self._encoder_threads, as_strings=True
+            )
             encoder_thread = _CameraEncoderThread(
                 video_path=video_path,
                 fps=self.fps,
-                vcodec=self.vcodec,
-                pix_fmt=self.pix_fmt,
-                g=self.g,
-                crf=self.crf,
-                preset=self.preset,
+                vcodec=vcodec,
+                pix_fmt=self._camera_encoder_config.pix_fmt,
+                codec_options=codec_options,
                 frame_queue=frame_queue,
                 result_queue=result_queue,
                 stop_event=stop_event,
-                encoder_threads=self.encoder_threads,
             )
             encoder_thread.start()
 
@@ -986,8 +1059,18 @@ def get_audio_info(video_path: Path | str) -> dict:
     return audio_info
 
 
-def get_video_info(video_path: Path | str) -> dict:
-    # Set logging level
+def get_video_info(
+    video_path: Path | str,
+    camera_encoder_config: "VideoEncoderConfig | None" = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Build the ``video.*`` / ``audio.*`` info dict persisted in ``info.json``.
+
+    Args:
+        video_path: Path to the encoded video file to probe.
+        camera_encoder_config: If provided, record the exact encoder settings used to encode this
+            video. Stream-derived values take precedence — encoder fields are only written for keys
+            not already populated from the video file itself.
+    """
     logging.getLogger("libav").setLevel(av.logging.WARNING)
 
     # Getting video stream information
@@ -1018,6 +1101,11 @@ def get_video_info(video_path: Path | str) -> dict:
     # Adding audio stream information
     video_info.update(**get_audio_info(video_path))
 
+    # Add additional encoder configuration if provided
+    if camera_encoder_config is not None:
+        for field_name, field_value in asdict(camera_encoder_config).items():
+            video_info.setdefault(f"video.{field_name}", field_value)
+
     return video_info
 
 

src/lerobot/policies/__init__.py

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+from lerobot.utils.action_interpolator import ActionInterpolator as ActionInterpolator
+
 from .act.configuration_act import ACTConfig as ACTConfig
 from .diffusion.configuration_diffusion import DiffusionConfig as DiffusionConfig
 from .factory import get_policy_class, make_policy, make_policy_config, make_pre_post_processors
@@ -21,10 +23,7 @@ from .pi0.configuration_pi0 import PI0Config as PI0Config
 from .pi0_fast.configuration_pi0_fast import PI0FastConfig as PI0FastConfig
 from .pi05.configuration_pi05 import PI05Config as PI05Config
 from .pretrained import PreTrainedPolicy as PreTrainedPolicy
-from .rtc import ActionInterpolator as ActionInterpolator
 from .sac.configuration_sac import SACConfig as SACConfig
-from .sac.reward_model.configuration_classifier import RewardClassifierConfig as RewardClassifierConfig
-from .sarm.configuration_sarm import SARMConfig as SARMConfig
 from .smolvla.configuration_smolvla import SmolVLAConfig as SmolVLAConfig
 from .tdmpc.configuration_tdmpc import TDMPCConfig as TDMPCConfig
 from .utils import make_robot_action, prepare_observation_for_inference
@@ -45,9 +44,7 @@ __all__ = [
     "PI0Config",
     "PI0FastConfig",
     "PI05Config",
-    "RewardClassifierConfig",
     "SACConfig",
-    "SARMConfig",
     "SmolVLAConfig",
     "TDMPCConfig",
     "VQBeTConfig",

src/lerobot/policies/act/modeling_act.py

@@ -142,9 +142,10 @@ class ACTPolicy(PreTrainedPolicy):
 
         actions_hat, (mu_hat, log_sigma_x2_hat) = self.model(batch)
 
-        l1_loss = (
-            F.l1_loss(batch[ACTION], actions_hat, reduction="none") * ~batch["action_is_pad"].unsqueeze(-1)
-        ).mean()
+        abs_err = F.l1_loss(batch[ACTION], actions_hat, reduction="none")
+        valid_mask = ~batch["action_is_pad"].unsqueeze(-1)
+        num_valid = valid_mask.sum() * abs_err.shape[-1]
+        l1_loss = (abs_err * valid_mask).sum() / num_valid.clamp_min(1)
 
         loss_dict = {"l1_loss": l1_loss.item()}
         if self.config.use_vae:

src/lerobot/policies/diffusion/modeling_diffusion.py

@@ -380,7 +380,9 @@ class DiffusionModel(nn.Module):
                     f"{self.config.do_mask_loss_for_padding=}."
                 )
             in_episode_bound = ~batch["action_is_pad"]
-            loss = loss * in_episode_bound.unsqueeze(-1)
+            mask = in_episode_bound.unsqueeze(-1)
+            num_valid = mask.sum() * loss.shape[-1]
+            return (loss * mask).sum() / num_valid.clamp_min(1)
 
         return loss.mean()
 

src/lerobot/policies/factory.py

@@ -52,8 +52,6 @@ from .pi0.configuration_pi0 import PI0Config
 from .pi05.configuration_pi05 import PI05Config
 from .pretrained import PreTrainedPolicy
 from .sac.configuration_sac import SACConfig
-from .sac.reward_model.configuration_classifier import RewardClassifierConfig
-from .sarm.configuration_sarm import SARMConfig
 from .smolvla.configuration_smolvla import SmolVLAConfig
 from .tdmpc.configuration_tdmpc import TDMPCConfig
 from .utils import validate_visual_features_consistency
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ def get_policy_class(name: str) -> type[PreTrainedPolicy]:
 
     Args:
         name: The name of the policy. Supported names are "tdmpc", "diffusion", "act",
-            "multi_task_dit", "vqbet", "pi0", "pi05", "sac", "reward_classifier", "smolvla", "wall_x".
+            "multi_task_dit", "vqbet", "pi0", "pi05", "sac", "smolvla", "wall_x".
     Returns:
         The policy class corresponding to the given name.
 
@@ -132,18 +130,10 @@ def get_policy_class(name: str) -> type[PreTrainedPolicy]:
         from .sac.modeling_sac import SACPolicy
 
         return SACPolicy
-    elif name == "reward_classifier":
-        from .sac.reward_model.modeling_classifier import Classifier
-
-        return Classifier
     elif name == "smolvla":
         from .smolvla.modeling_smolvla import SmolVLAPolicy
 
         return SmolVLAPolicy
-    elif name == "sarm":
-        from .sarm.modeling_sarm import SARMRewardModel
-
-        return SARMRewardModel
     elif name == "groot":
         from .groot.modeling_groot import GrootPolicy
 
@@ -173,7 +163,7 @@ def make_policy_config(policy_type: str, **kwargs) -> PreTrainedConfig:
     Args:
         policy_type: The type of the policy. Supported types include "tdmpc",
                      "multi_task_dit", "diffusion", "act", "vqbet", "pi0", "pi05", "sac",
-                     "smolvla", "reward_classifier", "wall_x".
+                     "smolvla", "wall_x".
         **kwargs: Keyword arguments to be passed to the configuration class constructor.
 
     Returns:
@@ -200,8 +190,6 @@ def make_policy_config(policy_type: str, **kwargs) -> PreTrainedConfig:
         return SACConfig(**kwargs)
     elif policy_type == "smolvla":
         return SmolVLAConfig(**kwargs)
-    elif policy_type == "reward_classifier":
-        return RewardClassifierConfig(**kwargs)
     elif policy_type == "groot":
         return GrootConfig(**kwargs)
     elif policy_type == "xvla":
@@ -378,14 +366,6 @@ def make_pre_post_processors(
             dataset_stats=kwargs.get("dataset_stats"),
         )
 
-    elif isinstance(policy_cfg, RewardClassifierConfig):
-        from .sac.reward_model.processor_classifier import make_classifier_processor
-
-        processors = make_classifier_processor(
-            config=policy_cfg,
-            dataset_stats=kwargs.get("dataset_stats"),
-        )
-
     elif isinstance(policy_cfg, SmolVLAConfig):
         from .smolvla.processor_smolvla import make_smolvla_pre_post_processors
 
@@ -394,14 +374,6 @@ def make_pre_post_processors(
             dataset_stats=kwargs.get("dataset_stats"),
         )
 
-    elif isinstance(policy_cfg, SARMConfig):
-        from .sarm.processor_sarm import make_sarm_pre_post_processors
-
-        processors = make_sarm_pre_post_processors(
-            config=policy_cfg,
-            dataset_stats=kwargs.get("dataset_stats"),
-            dataset_meta=kwargs.get("dataset_meta"),
-        )
     elif isinstance(policy_cfg, GrootConfig):
         from .groot.processor_groot import make_groot_pre_post_processors
 

src/lerobot/policies/groot/groot_n1.py

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
@@ -174,17 +173,14 @@ N_COLOR_CHANNELS = 3
 
 
 # config
-@dataclass
 class GR00TN15Config(PretrainedConfig):
     model_type = "gr00t_n1_5"
-    backbone_cfg: dict = field(init=False, metadata={"help": "Backbone configuration."})
 
-    action_head_cfg: dict = field(init=False, metadata={"help": "Action head configuration."})
-
-    action_horizon: int = field(init=False, metadata={"help": "Action horizon."})
-
-    action_dim: int = field(init=False, metadata={"help": "Action dimension."})
-    compute_dtype: str = field(default="float32", metadata={"help": "Compute dtype."})
+    backbone_cfg: dict
+    action_head_cfg: dict
+    action_horizon: int
+    action_dim: int
+    compute_dtype: str = "float32"
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)

src/lerobot/policies/multi_task_dit/modeling_multi_task_dit.py

@@ -688,8 +688,9 @@ class DiffusionObjective(nn.Module):
         loss = F.mse_loss(predicted, target, reduction="none")
 
         if self.do_mask_loss_for_padding and "action_is_pad" in batch:
-            valid_actions = ~batch["action_is_pad"]
-            loss = loss * valid_actions.unsqueeze(-1)
+            mask = ~batch["action_is_pad"].unsqueeze(-1)
+            num_valid = mask.sum() * loss.shape[-1]
+            return (loss * mask).sum() / num_valid.clamp_min(1)
 
         return loss.mean()
 
@@ -752,8 +753,9 @@ class FlowMatchingObjective(nn.Module):
         loss = F.mse_loss(predicted_velocity, target_velocity, reduction="none")
 
         if self.do_mask_loss_for_padding and "action_is_pad" in batch:
-            valid_mask = ~batch["action_is_pad"]
-            loss = loss * valid_mask.unsqueeze(-1)
+            mask = ~batch["action_is_pad"].unsqueeze(-1)
+            num_valid = mask.sum() * loss.shape[-1]
+            return (loss * mask).sum() / num_valid.clamp_min(1)
 
         return loss.mean()
 

src/lerobot/policies/pi0_fast/modeling_pi0_fast.py

@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@ class PI0FastPaliGemma(nn.Module):
         # forward(..., adarms_cond=...) is supported (same as pi0/pi05).
         if use_adarms[0]:
             text_config = self.paligemma.config.text_config
+            del self.paligemma.model.language_model
             self.paligemma.model.language_model = PiGemmaModel(text_config)
 
         self.to_bfloat16_for_selected_params(precision)

src/lerobot/policies/pi_gemma.py

@@ -197,6 +197,9 @@ class PiGemmaModel(GemmaModel):  # type: ignore[misc]
 
     def __init__(self, config: GemmaConfig, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(config, **kwargs)
+        # Free parent-allocated layers/norm before replacing to avoid ~2x peak memory.
+        del self.layers
+        del self.norm
         # if not getattr(config, "use_adarms", False):
         #     return
         cond_dim = getattr(config, "adarms_cond_dim", None)
@@ -328,6 +331,7 @@ class PiGemmaForCausalLM(GemmaForCausalLM):  # type: ignore[misc]
 
     def __init__(self, config: GemmaConfig, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(config, **kwargs)
+        del self.model
         self.model = PiGemmaModel(config)
 
 
@@ -336,6 +340,7 @@ class PaliGemmaModelWithPiGemma(PaliGemmaModel):
 
     def __init__(self, config):
         super().__init__(config)
+        del self.language_model
         self.language_model = PiGemmaModel(config.text_config)
 
 
@@ -344,6 +349,7 @@ class PaliGemmaForConditionalGenerationWithPiGemma(PaliGemmaForConditionalGenera
 
     def __init__(self, config):
         super().__init__(config)
+        del self.model
         self.model = PaliGemmaModelWithPiGemma(config)
 
     # Make modules available through conditional class for BC

src/lerobot/policies/rtc/__init__.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from .action_queue import ActionQueue
 from .configuration_rtc import RTCConfig
 from .latency_tracker import LatencyTracker
 from .modeling_rtc import RTCProcessor
+from .relative import reanchor_relative_rtc_prefix
 
 __all__ = [
     "ActionInterpolator",
@@ -26,4 +27,5 @@ __all__ = [
     "LatencyTracker",
     "RTCConfig",
     "RTCProcessor",
+    "reanchor_relative_rtc_prefix",
 ]

src/lerobot/policies/rtc/action_interpolator.py

@@ -1,116 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
-#
-# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-# You may obtain a copy of the License at
-#
-#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-# limitations under the License.
+# Moved to lerobot.utils.action_interpolator — re-exported for backwards compatibility.
+from lerobot.utils.action_interpolator import ActionInterpolator
 
-"""Action interpolation for smoother robot control.
-
-Provides configurable Nx control rate by interpolating between consecutive actions.
-Useful with RTC and action-chunking policies to reduce jerkiness.
-"""
-
-from torch import Tensor
-
-
-class ActionInterpolator:
-    """Interpolates between consecutive actions for smoother control.
-
-    When enabled with multiplier N, produces N actions per policy action
-    by linearly interpolating between the previous and current action.
-
-    Example with multiplier=3:
-        prev_action -> [1/3 interpolated, 2/3 interpolated, current_action]
-
-    This effectively multiplies the control rate for smoother motion.
-
-    Usage:
-        interpolator = ActionInterpolator(multiplier=2)  # 2x control rate
-
-        # In control loop:
-        if interpolator.needs_new_action():
-            new_action = queue.get()
-            if new_action:
-                interpolator.add(new_action.cpu())
-
-        action = interpolator.get()
-        if action:
-            robot.send_action(action)
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, multiplier: int = 1):
-        """Initialize the interpolator.
-
-        Args:
-            multiplier: Control rate multiplier (1 = no interpolation, 2 = 2x, 3 = 3x, etc.)
-        """
-        if multiplier < 1:
-            raise ValueError(f"multiplier must be >= 1, got {multiplier}")
-        self.multiplier = multiplier
-        self._prev: Tensor | None = None
-        self._buffer: list[Tensor] = []
-        self._idx = 0
-
-    @property
-    def enabled(self) -> bool:
-        """Whether interpolation is active (multiplier > 1)."""
-        return self.multiplier > 1
-
-    def reset(self):
-        """Reset interpolation state (call between episodes)."""
-        self._prev = None
-        self._buffer = []
-        self._idx = 0
-
-    def needs_new_action(self) -> bool:
-        """Check if a new action is needed from the queue."""
-        return self._idx >= len(self._buffer)
-
-    def add(self, action: Tensor) -> None:
-        """Add a new action and compute interpolated sequence.
-
-        Args:
-            action: New action tensor from policy/queue (already on CPU).
-        """
-        if self.multiplier > 1 and self._prev is not None:
-            self._buffer = []
-            for i in range(1, self.multiplier + 1):
-                t = i / self.multiplier
-                interp = self._prev + t * (action - self._prev)
-                self._buffer.append(interp)
-        else:
-            # First step: no previous action yet, so run at base FPS without interpolation.
-            self._buffer = [action.clone()]
-        self._prev = action.clone()
-        self._idx = 0
-
-    def get(self) -> Tensor | None:
-        """Get the next interpolated action.
-
-        Returns:
-            Next action tensor, or None if buffer is exhausted.
-        """
-        if self._idx >= len(self._buffer):
-            return None
-        action = self._buffer[self._idx]
-        self._idx += 1
-        return action
-
-    def get_control_interval(self, fps: float) -> float:
-        """Get the control interval based on interpolation multiplier.
-
-        Args:
-            fps: Base frames per second.
-
-        Returns:
-            Control interval in seconds (divided by multiplier).
-        """
-        return 1.0 / (fps * self.multiplier)
+__all__ = ["ActionInterpolator"]

src/lerobot/policies/rtc/action_queue.py

@@ -92,10 +92,10 @@ class ActionQueue:
         Returns:
             int: Number of unconsumed actions.
         """
-        if self.queue is None:
-            return 0
-        length = len(self.queue)
-        return length - self.last_index
+        with self.lock:
+            if self.queue is None:
+                return 0
+            return len(self.queue) - self.last_index
 
     def empty(self) -> bool:
         """Check if the queue is empty.
@@ -103,11 +103,10 @@ class ActionQueue:
         Returns:
             bool: True if no actions remain, False otherwise.
         """
-        if self.queue is None:
-            return True
-
-        length = len(self.queue)
-        return length - self.last_index <= 0
+        with self.lock:
+            if self.queue is None:
+                return True
+            return len(self.queue) - self.last_index <= 0
 
     def get_action_index(self) -> int:
         """Get the current action consumption index.
@@ -115,7 +114,8 @@ class ActionQueue:
         Returns:
             int: Index of the next action to be consumed.
         """
-        return self.last_index
+        with self.lock:
+            return self.last_index
 
     def get_left_over(self) -> Tensor | None:
         """Get leftover original actions for RTC prev_chunk_left_over.

src/lerobot/policies/rtc/configuration_rtc.py

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class RTCConfig:
     """
 
     # Infrastructure
-    enabled: bool = False
+    enabled: bool = True
 
     # Core RTC settings
     # Todo change to exp

src/lerobot/policies/rtc/relative.py

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Relative-action helpers for Real-Time Chunking (RTC)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import torch
+
+from lerobot.processor import (
+    NormalizerProcessorStep,
+    RelativeActionsProcessorStep,
+    TransitionKey,
+    create_transition,
+    to_relative_actions,
+)
+
+
+def reanchor_relative_rtc_prefix(
+    prev_actions_absolute: torch.Tensor,
+    current_state: torch.Tensor,
+    relative_step: RelativeActionsProcessorStep,
+    normalizer_step: NormalizerProcessorStep | None,
+    policy_device: torch.device | str,
+) -> torch.Tensor:
+    """Convert absolute leftover actions into model-space for relative-action RTC policies.
+
+    When using relative actions, the RTC prefix (previous chunk's unexecuted tail)
+    is stored in absolute coordinates. Before feeding it back to the policy, this
+    helper re-expresses those actions relative to the robot's current joint state
+    and optionally normalizes them so the policy receives correctly scaled inputs.
+    """
+    state = current_state.detach().cpu()
+    if state.dim() == 1:
+        state = state.unsqueeze(0)
+
+    action_cpu = prev_actions_absolute.detach().cpu()
+    mask = relative_step._build_mask(action_cpu.shape[-1])
+    relative_actions = to_relative_actions(action_cpu, state, mask)
+
+    transition = create_transition(action=relative_actions)
+    if normalizer_step is not None:
+        transition = normalizer_step(transition)
+
+    return transition[TransitionKey.ACTION].to(policy_device)

src/lerobot/policies/sarm/README.md

@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-../../../../docs/source/policy_sarm_README.md

src/lerobot/policies/smolvla/modeling_smolvla.py

@@ -394,13 +394,21 @@ class SmolVLAPolicy(PreTrainedPolicy):
         loss_dict["losses_after_rm_padding"] = losses.clone().mean().item()
 
         if reduction == "none":
-            # Return per-sample losses (B,) by averaging over time and action dims
-            per_sample_loss = losses.mean(dim=(1, 2))
+            # Return per-sample losses (B,) by averaging over valid (time, action) entries
+            if actions_is_pad is None:
+                per_sample_loss = losses.mean(dim=(1, 2))
+            else:
+                num_valid = ((~actions_is_pad).sum(dim=1) * losses.shape[-1]).clamp_min(1)
+                per_sample_loss = losses.sum(dim=(1, 2)) / num_valid
             loss_dict["loss"] = per_sample_loss.mean().item()
             return per_sample_loss, loss_dict
         else:
-            # Default: return scalar mean loss
-            loss = losses.mean()
+            # Default: return scalar mean loss over valid (time, action) entries
+            if actions_is_pad is None:
+                loss = losses.mean()
+            else:
+                num_valid = ((~actions_is_pad).sum() * losses.shape[-1]).clamp_min(1)
+                loss = losses.sum() / num_valid
             loss_dict["loss"] = loss.item()
             return loss, loss_dict
 

src/lerobot/processor/hil_processor.py

@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ class RewardClassifierProcessorStep(ProcessorStep):
     def __post_init__(self):
         """Initializes the reward classifier model after the dataclass is created."""
         if self.pretrained_path is not None:
-            from lerobot.policies.sac.reward_model.modeling_classifier import Classifier
+            from lerobot.rewards.classifier.modeling_classifier import Classifier
 
             self.reward_classifier = Classifier.from_pretrained(self.pretrained_path)
             self.reward_classifier.to(self.device)

src/lerobot/processor/relative_action_processor.py

@@ -142,6 +142,10 @@ class RelativeActionsProcessorStep(ProcessorStep):
         new_transition[TransitionKey.ACTION] = to_relative_actions(action, state, mask)
         return new_transition
 
+    def get_cached_state(self) -> torch.Tensor | None:
+        """Return the cached ``observation.state`` used as the reference point for relative/absolute action conversions."""
+        return self._last_state
+
     def get_config(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
         return {
             "enabled": self.enabled,
@@ -182,7 +186,8 @@ class AbsoluteActionsProcessorStep(ProcessorStep):
                 "but relative_step is None. Ensure relative_step is set when constructing the postprocessor."
             )
 
-        if self.relative_step._last_state is None:
+        cached_state = self.relative_step.get_cached_state()
+        if cached_state is None:
             raise RuntimeError(
                 "AbsoluteActionsProcessorStep requires state from RelativeActionsProcessorStep "
                 "but no state has been cached. Ensure the preprocessor runs before the postprocessor."
@@ -194,9 +199,7 @@ class AbsoluteActionsProcessorStep(ProcessorStep):
             return new_transition
 
         mask = self.relative_step._build_mask(action.shape[-1])
-        new_transition[TransitionKey.ACTION] = to_absolute_actions(
-            action, self.relative_step._last_state, mask
-        )
+        new_transition[TransitionKey.ACTION] = to_absolute_actions(action, cached_state, mask)
         return new_transition
 
     def get_config(self) -> dict[str, Any]:

src/lerobot/rewards/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# Copyright 2026 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+from .classifier.configuration_classifier import RewardClassifierConfig as RewardClassifierConfig
+from .factory import (
+    get_reward_model_class as get_reward_model_class,
+    make_reward_model as make_reward_model,
+    make_reward_model_config as make_reward_model_config,
+    make_reward_pre_post_processors as make_reward_pre_post_processors,
+)
+from .pretrained import PreTrainedRewardModel as PreTrainedRewardModel
+from .sarm.configuration_sarm import SARMConfig as SARMConfig
+
+__all__ = [
+    # Configuration classes
+    "RewardClassifierConfig",
+    "SARMConfig",
+    # Base class
+    "PreTrainedRewardModel",
+    # Factory functions
+    "get_reward_model_class",
+    "make_reward_model",
+    "make_reward_model_config",
+    "make_reward_pre_post_processors",
+]

src/lerobot/rewards/classifier/configuration_classifier.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# !/usr/bin/env python
-
 # Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -15,14 +13,15 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 
-from lerobot.configs import NormalizationMode, PreTrainedConfig
+from lerobot.configs import NormalizationMode
+from lerobot.configs.rewards import RewardModelConfig
 from lerobot.optim import AdamWConfig, LRSchedulerConfig, OptimizerConfig
 from lerobot.utils.constants import OBS_IMAGE
 
 
-@PreTrainedConfig.register_subclass(name="reward_classifier")
+@RewardModelConfig.register_subclass(name="reward_classifier")
 @dataclass
-class RewardClassifierConfig(PreTrainedConfig):
+class RewardClassifierConfig(RewardModelConfig):
     """Configuration for the Reward Classifier model."""
 
     name: str = "reward_classifier"

src/lerobot/rewards/classifier/modeling_classifier.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# !/usr/bin/env python
-
 # Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -19,11 +17,10 @@ import logging
 import torch
 from torch import Tensor, nn
 
+from lerobot.rewards.classifier.configuration_classifier import RewardClassifierConfig
+from lerobot.rewards.pretrained import PreTrainedRewardModel
 from lerobot.utils.constants import OBS_IMAGE, REWARD
 
-from ...pretrained import PreTrainedPolicy
-from .configuration_classifier import RewardClassifierConfig
-
 
 class ClassifierOutput:
     """Wrapper for classifier outputs with additional metadata."""
@@ -99,7 +96,7 @@ class SpatialLearnedEmbeddings(nn.Module):
         return output
 
 
-class Classifier(PreTrainedPolicy):
+class Classifier(PreTrainedRewardModel):
     """Image classifier built on top of a pre-trained encoder."""
 
     name = "reward_classifier"
@@ -235,6 +232,16 @@ class Classifier(PreTrainedPolicy):
 
         return ClassifierOutput(logits=logits, probabilities=probabilities, hidden_states=encoder_outputs)
 
+    def compute_reward(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> Tensor:
+        """Returns 1.0 for success, 0.0 for failure based on image observations."""
+        images = [batch[key] for key in self.config.input_features if key.startswith(OBS_IMAGE)]
+        output = self.predict(images)
+
+        if self.config.num_classes == 2:
+            return (output.probabilities > 0.5).float()
+        else:
+            return torch.argmax(output.probabilities, dim=1).float()
+
     def forward(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> tuple[Tensor, dict[str, Tensor]]:
         """Standard forward pass for training compatible with train.py."""
         # Extract images and labels
@@ -269,10 +276,6 @@ class Classifier(PreTrainedPolicy):
 
     def predict_reward(self, batch, threshold=0.5):
         """Eval method. Returns predicted reward with the decision threshold as argument."""
-        # Check for both OBS_IMAGE and OBS_IMAGES prefixes
-        batch = self.normalize_inputs(batch)
-        batch = self.normalize_targets(batch)
-
         # Extract images from batch dict
         images = [batch[key] for key in self.config.input_features if key.startswith(OBS_IMAGE)]
 
@@ -282,28 +285,3 @@ class Classifier(PreTrainedPolicy):
             return (probs > threshold).float()
         else:
             return torch.argmax(self.predict(images).probabilities, dim=1)
-
-    def get_optim_params(self):
-        """Return optimizer parameters for the policy."""
-        return self.parameters()
-
-    def select_action(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> Tensor:
-        """
-        This method is required by PreTrainedPolicy but not used for reward classifiers.
-        The reward classifier is not an actor and does not select actions.
-        """
-        raise NotImplementedError("Reward classifiers do not select actions")
-
-    def predict_action_chunk(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> Tensor:
-        """
-        This method is required by PreTrainedPolicy but not used for reward classifiers.
-        The reward classifier is not an actor and does not produce action chunks.
-        """
-        raise NotImplementedError("Reward classifiers do not predict action chunks")
-
-    def reset(self):
-        """
-        This method is required by PreTrainedPolicy but not used for reward classifiers.
-        The reward classifier is not an actor and does not select actions.
-        """
-        pass

src/lerobot/rewards/classifier/processor_classifier.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# !/usr/bin/env python
-
 # Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -27,8 +25,7 @@ from lerobot.processor import (
     policy_action_to_transition,
     transition_to_policy_action,
 )
-
-from .configuration_classifier import RewardClassifierConfig
+from lerobot.rewards.classifier.configuration_classifier import RewardClassifierConfig
 
 
 def make_classifier_processor(
@@ -52,8 +49,6 @@ def make_classifier_processor(
     Args:
         config: The configuration object for the RewardClassifier.
         dataset_stats: A dictionary of statistics for normalization.
-        preprocessor_kwargs: Additional arguments for the pre-processor pipeline.
-        postprocessor_kwargs: Additional arguments for the post-processor pipeline.
 
     Returns:
         A tuple containing the configured pre-processor and post-processor pipelines.

src/lerobot/rewards/factory.py

@@ -0,0 +1,238 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2026 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import importlib
+import logging
+from typing import Any
+
+import torch
+
+from lerobot.configs.rewards import RewardModelConfig
+from lerobot.processor import PolicyAction, PolicyProcessorPipeline
+from lerobot.rewards.classifier.configuration_classifier import RewardClassifierConfig
+from lerobot.rewards.pretrained import PreTrainedRewardModel
+from lerobot.rewards.sarm.configuration_sarm import SARMConfig
+
+
+def get_reward_model_class(name: str) -> type[PreTrainedRewardModel]:
+    """
+    Retrieves a reward model class by its registered name.
+
+    This function uses dynamic imports to avoid loading all reward model classes into
+    memory at once, improving startup time and reducing dependencies.
+
+    Args:
+        name: The name of the reward model. Supported names are "reward_classifier",
+              "sarm".
+
+    Returns:
+        The reward model class corresponding to the given name.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the reward model name is not recognized.
+    """
+    if name == "reward_classifier":
+        from lerobot.rewards.classifier.modeling_classifier import Classifier
+
+        return Classifier
+    elif name == "sarm":
+        from lerobot.rewards.sarm.modeling_sarm import SARMRewardModel
+
+        return SARMRewardModel
+    else:
+        try:
+            return _get_reward_model_cls_from_name(name=name)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise ValueError(f"Reward model type '{name}' is not available.") from e
+
+
+def make_reward_model_config(reward_type: str, **kwargs) -> RewardModelConfig:
+    """
+    Instantiates a reward model configuration object based on the reward type.
+
+    This factory function simplifies the creation of reward model configuration objects
+    by mapping a string identifier to the corresponding config class.
+
+    Args:
+        reward_type: The type of the reward model. Supported types include
+                     "reward_classifier", "sarm".
+        **kwargs: Keyword arguments to be passed to the configuration class constructor.
+
+    Returns:
+        An instance of a `RewardModelConfig` subclass.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the `reward_type` is not recognized.
+    """
+    if reward_type == "reward_classifier":
+        return RewardClassifierConfig(**kwargs)
+    elif reward_type == "sarm":
+        return SARMConfig(**kwargs)
+    else:
+        try:
+            config_cls = RewardModelConfig.get_choice_class(reward_type)
+            return config_cls(**kwargs)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise ValueError(f"Reward model type '{reward_type}' is not available.") from e
+
+
+def make_reward_model(cfg: RewardModelConfig, **kwargs) -> PreTrainedRewardModel:
+    """
+    Instantiate a reward model from its configuration.
+
+    Args:
+        cfg: The configuration for the reward model to be created. If
+             `cfg.pretrained_path` is set, the model will be loaded with weights
+             from that path.
+        **kwargs: Additional keyword arguments forwarded to the model constructor
+            (e.g., ``dataset_stats``, ``dataset_meta``).
+
+    Returns:
+        An instantiated and device-placed reward model.
+    """
+    reward_cls = get_reward_model_class(cfg.type)
+
+    kwargs["config"] = cfg
+
+    if cfg.pretrained_path:
+        kwargs["pretrained_name_or_path"] = cfg.pretrained_path
+        reward_model = reward_cls.from_pretrained(**kwargs)
+    else:
+        reward_model = reward_cls(**kwargs)
+
+    reward_model.to(cfg.device)
+    assert isinstance(reward_model, torch.nn.Module)
+
+    return reward_model
+
+
+def make_reward_pre_post_processors(
+    reward_cfg: RewardModelConfig,
+    **kwargs,
+) -> tuple[
+    PolicyProcessorPipeline[dict[str, Any], dict[str, Any]],
+    PolicyProcessorPipeline[PolicyAction, PolicyAction],
+]:
+    """
+    Create pre- and post-processor pipelines for a given reward model.
+
+    Each reward model type has a dedicated factory function for its processors.
+
+    Args:
+        reward_cfg: The configuration of the reward model for which to create processors.
+        **kwargs: Additional keyword arguments passed to the processor factory
+            (e.g., ``dataset_stats``, ``dataset_meta``).
+
+    Returns:
+        A tuple containing the input (pre-processor) and output (post-processor) pipelines.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If a processor factory is not implemented for the given reward
+            model configuration type.
+    """
+    # Create a new processor based on reward model type
+    if isinstance(reward_cfg, RewardClassifierConfig):
+        from lerobot.rewards.classifier.processor_classifier import make_classifier_processor
+
+        return make_classifier_processor(
+            config=reward_cfg,
+            dataset_stats=kwargs.get("dataset_stats"),
+        )
+
+    elif isinstance(reward_cfg, SARMConfig):
+        from lerobot.rewards.sarm.processor_sarm import make_sarm_pre_post_processors
+
+        return make_sarm_pre_post_processors(
+            config=reward_cfg,
+            dataset_stats=kwargs.get("dataset_stats"),
+            dataset_meta=kwargs.get("dataset_meta"),
+        )
+
+    else:
+        try:
+            processors = _make_processors_from_reward_model_config(
+                config=reward_cfg,
+                dataset_stats=kwargs.get("dataset_stats"),
+            )
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Processor for reward model type '{reward_cfg.type}' is not implemented."
+            ) from e
+        return processors
+
+
+def _get_reward_model_cls_from_name(name: str) -> type[PreTrainedRewardModel]:
+    """Get reward model class from its registered name using dynamic imports.
+
+    This is used as a helper function to import reward models from 3rd party lerobot
+    plugins.
+
+    Args:
+        name: The name of the reward model.
+
+    Returns:
+        The reward model class corresponding to the given name.
+    """
+    if name not in RewardModelConfig.get_known_choices():
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"Unknown reward model name '{name}'. "
+            f"Available reward models: {RewardModelConfig.get_known_choices()}"
+        )
+
+    config_cls = RewardModelConfig.get_choice_class(name)
+    config_cls_name = config_cls.__name__
+
+    model_name = config_cls_name.removesuffix("Config")
+    if model_name == config_cls_name:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"The config class name '{config_cls_name}' does not follow the expected naming convention. "
+            f"Make sure it ends with 'Config'!"
+        )
+
+    cls_name = model_name + "RewardModel"
+    module_path = config_cls.__module__.replace("configuration_", "modeling_")
+
+    module = importlib.import_module(module_path)
+    reward_cls = getattr(module, cls_name)
+    return reward_cls
+
+
+def _make_processors_from_reward_model_config(
+    config: RewardModelConfig,
+    dataset_stats: dict[str, dict[str, torch.Tensor]] | None = None,
+) -> tuple[Any, Any]:
+    """Create pre- and post-processors from a reward model configuration using dynamic imports.
+
+    This is used as a helper function to import processor factories from 3rd party
+    lerobot reward model plugins.
+
+    Args:
+        config: The reward model configuration object.
+        dataset_stats: Dataset statistics for normalization.
+
+    Returns:
+        A tuple containing the input (pre-processor) and output (post-processor) pipelines.
+    """
+    reward_type = config.type
+    function_name = f"make_{reward_type}_pre_post_processors"
+    module_path = config.__class__.__module__.replace("configuration_", "processor_")
+    logging.debug(
+        f"Instantiating reward pre/post processors using function '{function_name}' "
+        f"from module '{module_path}'"
+    )
+    module = importlib.import_module(module_path)
+    function = getattr(module, function_name)
+    return function(config, dataset_stats=dataset_stats)

src/lerobot/rewards/pretrained.py

@@ -0,0 +1,244 @@
+# Copyright 2026 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import abc
+import builtins
+import logging
+import os
+from importlib.resources import files
+from pathlib import Path
+from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, TypeVar
+
+import packaging
+import safetensors
+from huggingface_hub import HfApi, ModelCard, ModelCardData, hf_hub_download
+from huggingface_hub.constants import SAFETENSORS_SINGLE_FILE
+from huggingface_hub.errors import HfHubHTTPError
+from safetensors.torch import load_model as load_model_as_safetensor, save_model as save_model_as_safetensor
+from torch import Tensor, nn
+
+from lerobot.configs.rewards import RewardModelConfig
+from lerobot.utils.hub import HubMixin
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from lerobot.configs.train import TrainPipelineConfig
+
+T = TypeVar("T", bound="PreTrainedRewardModel")
+
+
+class PreTrainedRewardModel(nn.Module, HubMixin, abc.ABC):
+    """Base class for reward models."""
+
+    config_class: None
+    name: None
+
+    def __init__(self, config: RewardModelConfig, *inputs, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__()
+        if not isinstance(config, RewardModelConfig):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Parameter config in `{self.__class__.__name__}(config)` should be an instance of class "
+                "`RewardModelConfig`. To create a model from a pretrained model use "
+                f"`model = {self.__class__.__name__}.from_pretrained(PRETRAINED_MODEL_NAME)`"
+            )
+        self.config = config
+
+    def __init_subclass__(cls, **kwargs):
+        super().__init_subclass__(**kwargs)
+        if not getattr(cls, "config_class", None):
+            raise TypeError(f"Class {cls.__name__} must define 'config_class'")
+        if not getattr(cls, "name", None):
+            raise TypeError(f"Class {cls.__name__} must define 'name'")
+
+    def _save_pretrained(self, save_directory: Path) -> None:
+        self.config._save_pretrained(save_directory)
+        model_to_save = self.module if hasattr(self, "module") else self
+        save_model_as_safetensor(model_to_save, str(save_directory / SAFETENSORS_SINGLE_FILE))
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_pretrained(
+        cls: builtins.type[T],
+        pretrained_name_or_path: str | Path,
+        *,
+        config: RewardModelConfig | None = None,
+        force_download: bool = False,
+        resume_download: bool | None = None,
+        proxies: dict | None = None,
+        token: str | bool | None = None,
+        cache_dir: str | Path | None = None,
+        local_files_only: bool = False,
+        revision: str | None = None,
+        strict: bool = False,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> T:
+        """
+        The reward model is set in evaluation mode by default using `reward.eval()` (dropout modules are
+        deactivated). To train it, you should first set it back in training mode with `reward.train()`.
+        """
+        if config is None:
+            config = RewardModelConfig.from_pretrained(
+                pretrained_name_or_path=pretrained_name_or_path,
+                force_download=force_download,
+                resume_download=resume_download,
+                proxies=proxies,
+                token=token,
+                cache_dir=cache_dir,
+                local_files_only=local_files_only,
+                revision=revision,
+                **kwargs,
+            )
+        model_id = str(pretrained_name_or_path)
+        instance = cls(config, **kwargs)
+        if os.path.isdir(model_id):
+            print("Loading weights from local directory")
+            model_file = os.path.join(model_id, SAFETENSORS_SINGLE_FILE)
+            reward = cls._load_as_safetensor(instance, model_file, config.device or "cpu", strict)
+        else:
+            try:
+                model_file = hf_hub_download(
+                    repo_id=model_id,
+                    filename=SAFETENSORS_SINGLE_FILE,
+                    revision=revision,
+                    cache_dir=cache_dir,
+                    force_download=force_download,
+                    proxies=proxies,
+                    resume_download=resume_download,
+                    token=token,
+                    local_files_only=local_files_only,
+                )
+                reward = cls._load_as_safetensor(instance, model_file, config.device or "cpu", strict)
+            except HfHubHTTPError as e:
+                raise FileNotFoundError(
+                    f"{SAFETENSORS_SINGLE_FILE} not found on the HuggingFace Hub in {model_id}"
+                ) from e
+
+        reward.to(config.device)
+        reward.eval()
+        return reward
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _load_as_safetensor(cls, model: T, model_file: str, map_location: str, strict: bool) -> T:
+        # Create base kwargs
+        kwargs = {"strict": strict}
+
+        # Add device parameter for newer versions that support it
+        if packaging.version.parse(safetensors.__version__) >= packaging.version.parse("0.4.3"):
+            kwargs["device"] = map_location
+
+        # Load the model with appropriate kwargs
+        missing_keys, unexpected_keys = load_model_as_safetensor(model, model_file, **kwargs)
+        if missing_keys:
+            logging.warning(f"Missing key(s) when loading model: {missing_keys}")
+        if unexpected_keys:
+            logging.warning(f"Unexpected key(s) when loading model: {unexpected_keys}")
+
+        # For older versions, manually move to device if needed
+        if "device" not in kwargs and map_location != "cpu":
+            logging.warning(
+                "Loading model weights on other devices than 'cpu' is not supported natively in your version of safetensors."
+                " This means that the model is loaded on 'cpu' first and then copied to the device."
+                " This leads to a slower loading time."
+                " Please update safetensors to version 0.4.3 or above for improved performance."
+            )
+            model.to(map_location)
+        return model
+
+    def get_optim_params(self):
+        """
+        Returns the reward-model-specific parameters dict to be passed on to the optimizer.
+        """
+        return self.parameters()
+
+    def reset(self) -> None:
+        """Reset any internal state."""
+        pass
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def compute_reward(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> Tensor:
+        """Compute a scalar reward signal for a batch of observations.
+
+        Args:
+            batch: Dictionary containing at minimum observation tensors.
+                   May also contain "action", "next_observation.*", etc.
+
+        Returns:
+            Tensor of shape ``(batch_size,)`` with reward values.
+        """
+        ...
+
+    def forward(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> tuple[Tensor, dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Training forward pass — override for trainable reward models."""
+        raise NotImplementedError(
+            f"{self.__class__.__name__} is not trainable. Only use compute_reward() for inference."
+        )
+
+    @property
+    def is_trainable(self) -> bool:
+        """Whether this reward model can be trained via ``lerobot-train``.
+
+        Trainable reward models override :meth:`forward`; zero-shot models
+        inherit the base implementation that raises ``NotImplementedError``.
+        """
+        return type(self).forward is not PreTrainedRewardModel.forward
+
+    def push_model_to_hub(self, cfg: "TrainPipelineConfig"):
+        api = HfApi()
+        repo_id = api.create_repo(
+            repo_id=self.config.repo_id, private=self.config.private, exist_ok=True
+        ).repo_id
+
+        # Push the files to the repo in a single commit
+        with TemporaryDirectory(ignore_cleanup_errors=True) as tmp:
+            saved_path = Path(tmp) / repo_id
+
+            self.save_pretrained(saved_path)  # Calls _save_pretrained and stores model tensors
+
+            card = self.generate_model_card(
+                cfg.dataset.repo_id, self.config.type, self.config.license, self.config.tags
+            )
+            card.save(str(saved_path / "README.md"))
+
+            cfg.save_pretrained(saved_path)  # Calls _save_pretrained and stores train config
+
+            commit_info = api.upload_folder(
+                repo_id=repo_id,
+                repo_type="model",
+                folder_path=saved_path,
+                commit_message="Upload reward model weights, train config and readme",
+                allow_patterns=["*.safetensors", "*.json", "*.yaml", "*.md"],
+                ignore_patterns=["*.tmp", "*.log"],
+            )
+
+            logging.info(f"Model pushed to {commit_info.repo_url.url}")
+
+    def generate_model_card(
+        self, dataset_repo_id: str, model_type: str, license: str | None, tags: list[str] | None
+    ) -> ModelCard:
+        card_data = ModelCardData(
+            license=license or "apache-2.0",
+            library_name="lerobot",
+            pipeline_tag="robotics",
+            tags=list(set(tags or []).union({"robotics", "lerobot", "reward-model", model_type})),
+            model_name=model_type,
+            datasets=dataset_repo_id,
+        )
+
+        template_card = (
+            files("lerobot.templates")
+            .joinpath("lerobot_rewardmodel_modelcard_template.md")
+            .read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        )
+        card = ModelCard.from_template(card_data, template_str=template_card)
+        card.validate()
+        return card

src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/__init__.py

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2024 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright 2026 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -14,5 +14,6 @@
 
 from .configuration_sarm import SARMConfig
 from .modeling_sarm import SARMRewardModel
+from .processor_sarm import make_sarm_pre_post_processors
 
-__all__ = ["SARMConfig", "SARMRewardModel"]
+__all__ = ["SARMConfig", "SARMRewardModel", "make_sarm_pre_post_processors"]

src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py

@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@ need ~num_frames/30 queries instead of one per frame (~30x speedup).
 
 Usage:
     # Full RA-BC computation with visualizations
-    python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
+    python src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
         --dataset-repo-id lerobot/aloha_sim_insertion_human \\
         --reward-model-path <USER>/sarm_single_uni4
 
     # Faster computation with stride (compute every 5 frames, interpolate the rest)
-    python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
+    python src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
         --dataset-repo-id lerobot/aloha_sim_insertion_human \\
         --reward-model-path <USER>/sarm_single_uni4 \\
         --stride 5
 
     # Visualize predictions only (no RA-BC computation)
-    python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
+    python src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
         --dataset-repo-id lerobot/aloha_sim_insertion_human \\
         --reward-model-path <USER>/sarm_single_uni4 \\
         --visualize-only \\
@@ -58,10 +58,9 @@ import torch
 from tqdm import tqdm
 
 from lerobot.datasets import LeRobotDataset
-
-from .modeling_sarm import SARMRewardModel
-from .processor_sarm import make_sarm_pre_post_processors
-from .sarm_utils import normalize_stage_tau
+from lerobot.rewards.sarm.modeling_sarm import SARMRewardModel
+from lerobot.rewards.sarm.processor_sarm import make_sarm_pre_post_processors
+from lerobot.rewards.sarm.sarm_utils import normalize_stage_tau
 
 
 def get_reward_model_path_from_parquet(parquet_path: Path) -> str | None:
@@ -713,12 +712,12 @@ def main():
         epilog="""
 Examples:
     # Full RA-BC computation with visualizations
-    python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
+    python src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
         --dataset-repo-id lerobot/aloha_sim_insertion_human \\
         --reward-model-path <USER>/sarm_single_uni4
 
     # Visualize predictions only (no RA-BC computation)
-    python src/lerobot/policies/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
+    python src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/compute_rabc_weights.py \\
         --dataset-repo-id lerobot/aloha_sim_insertion_human \\
         --reward-model-path <USER>/sarm_single_uni4 \\
         --visualize-only \\

src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/configuration_sarm.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-
 # Copyright 2025 Qianzhong Chen, Justin Yu, Mac Schwager, Pieter Abbeel, Yide Shentu, Philipp Wu
 # and The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
@@ -22,14 +20,15 @@ Paper: https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.25358
 
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 
-from lerobot.configs import FeatureType, NormalizationMode, PolicyFeature, PreTrainedConfig
+from lerobot.configs import FeatureType, NormalizationMode, PolicyFeature
+from lerobot.configs.rewards import RewardModelConfig
 from lerobot.optim import AdamWConfig, CosineDecayWithWarmupSchedulerConfig
 from lerobot.utils.constants import OBS_IMAGES, OBS_STATE
 
 
-@PreTrainedConfig.register_subclass("sarm")
+@RewardModelConfig.register_subclass("sarm")
 @dataclass
-class SARMConfig(PreTrainedConfig):
+class SARMConfig(RewardModelConfig):
     """Configuration class for SARM (Stage-Aware Reward Modeling).
 
     Supports three annotation modes:
@@ -110,7 +109,6 @@ class SARMConfig(PreTrainedConfig):
 
     def __post_init__(self):
         super().__post_init__()
-
         if self.annotation_mode not in ["single_stage", "dense_only", "dual"]:
             raise ValueError(
                 f"annotation_mode must be 'single_stage', 'dense_only', or 'dual', got {self.annotation_mode}"

src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/modeling_sarm.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-
 # Copyright 2025 Qianzhong Chen, Justin Yu, Mac Schwager, Pieter Abbeel, Yide Shentu, Philipp Wu
 # and The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
@@ -34,14 +32,13 @@ import torch.nn as nn
 import torch.nn.functional as F  # noqa: N812
 from torch import Tensor
 
-from lerobot.utils.constants import OBS_STR
-
-from ..pretrained import PreTrainedPolicy
-from .configuration_sarm import SARMConfig
-from .sarm_utils import (
+from lerobot.rewards.pretrained import PreTrainedRewardModel
+from lerobot.rewards.sarm.configuration_sarm import SARMConfig
+from lerobot.rewards.sarm.sarm_utils import (
     normalize_stage_tau,
     pad_state_to_max_dim,
 )
+from lerobot.utils.constants import OBS_STR
 
 
 class StageTransformer(nn.Module):
@@ -353,7 +350,7 @@ def gen_stage_emb(num_classes: int, targets: torch.Tensor) -> torch.Tensor:
     return stage_onehot
 
 
-class SARMRewardModel(PreTrainedPolicy):
+class SARMRewardModel(PreTrainedRewardModel):
     """
     SARM Reward Model for stage-aware task completion rewards.
 
@@ -471,6 +468,23 @@ class SARMRewardModel(PreTrainedPolicy):
         self.subtask_model.to(device)
         return self
 
+    def compute_reward(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> Tensor:
+        """Compute dense progress reward in [0, 1] from batch.
+
+        Expects batch to contain:
+        - "observation_features" or video embeddings: (B, T, 512)
+        - "language_embedding" or text embeddings: (B, 512)
+        - optionally "observation.state": (B, T, state_dim)
+        """
+        text_emb = batch.get("language_embedding", batch.get("text_features"))
+        video_emb = batch.get("observation_features", batch.get("video_features"))
+        state = batch.get("observation.state", batch.get("state_features"))
+
+        rewards = self.calculate_rewards(text_emb, video_emb, state)
+        if isinstance(rewards, np.ndarray):
+            rewards = torch.from_numpy(rewards).float()
+        return rewards
+
     @torch.no_grad()
     def calculate_rewards(
         self,
@@ -631,17 +645,9 @@ class SARMRewardModel(PreTrainedPolicy):
         return self.parameters()
 
     def reset(self):
-        """Required by PreTrainedPolicy but not used for reward models."""
+        """SARM has no episode-level state to reset."""
         pass
 
-    def predict_action_chunk(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> Tensor:
-        """Required by PreTrainedPolicy but not used for reward models."""
-        raise NotImplementedError("SARM model does not predict action chunks")
-
-    def select_action(self, batch: dict[str, Tensor]) -> Tensor:
-        """Required by PreTrainedPolicy but not used for SARM."""
-        raise NotImplementedError("SARM model does not select actions")
-
     def _train_step(
         self,
         img_emb: torch.Tensor,  # (B, N, T, D)

src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/processor_sarm.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-
 # Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -60,16 +58,15 @@ from lerobot.processor import (
     policy_action_to_transition,
     transition_to_policy_action,
 )
-from lerobot.types import EnvTransition, PolicyAction, TransitionKey
-from lerobot.utils.constants import POLICY_POSTPROCESSOR_DEFAULT_NAME, POLICY_PREPROCESSOR_DEFAULT_NAME
-
-from .configuration_sarm import SARMConfig
-from .sarm_utils import (
+from lerobot.rewards.sarm.configuration_sarm import SARMConfig
+from lerobot.rewards.sarm.sarm_utils import (
     apply_rewind_augmentation,
     compute_absolute_indices,
     find_stage_and_tau,
     pad_state_to_max_dim,
 )
+from lerobot.types import EnvTransition, PolicyAction, TransitionKey
+from lerobot.utils.constants import POLICY_POSTPROCESSOR_DEFAULT_NAME, POLICY_PREPROCESSOR_DEFAULT_NAME
 
 
 class SARMEncodingProcessorStep(ProcessorStep):
@@ -455,7 +452,13 @@ class SARMEncodingProcessorStep(ProcessorStep):
             inputs = {k: v.to(self.device) for k, v in inputs.items()}
 
             # Get image embeddings
-            embeddings = self.clip_model.get_image_features(**inputs).detach().cpu()
+            # transformers 5.x returns BaseModelOutputWithPooling instead of a plain tensor
+            output = self.clip_model.get_image_features(**inputs)
+            if not isinstance(output, torch.Tensor):
+                output = output.pooler_output
+                if output is None:
+                    raise ValueError("pooler_output should not be None for CLIP models.")
+            embeddings = output.detach().cpu()
 
             # Handle single frame case
             if embeddings.dim() == 1:
@@ -482,7 +485,13 @@ class SARMEncodingProcessorStep(ProcessorStep):
         inputs = self.clip_processor.tokenizer([text], return_tensors="pt", padding=True, truncation=True)
         inputs = {k: v.to(self.device) for k, v in inputs.items()}
 
-        text_embedding = self.clip_model.get_text_features(**inputs).detach().cpu()
+        # transformers 5.x returns BaseModelOutputWithPooling instead of a plain tensor
+        output = self.clip_model.get_text_features(**inputs)
+        if not isinstance(output, torch.Tensor):
+            output = output.pooler_output
+            if output is None:
+                raise ValueError("pooler_output should not be None for CLIP models.")
+        text_embedding = output.detach().cpu()
         text_embedding = text_embedding.expand(batch_size, -1)
 
         return text_embedding

src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/rabc.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-
 # Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -14,14 +12,38 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+"""
+RA-BC (Reward-Aligned Behavior Cloning) sample weighting implementation.
+
+This module implements the SampleWeighter protocol for RA-BC training,
+which weights training samples based on their task progress as measured
+by the SARM reward model.
+
+The weights are computed based on progress deltas:
+    delta = progress[t + chunk_size] - progress[t]
+
+High-quality samples (positive progress) get higher weights, while
+samples with negative progress (going backwards) get zero weight.
+
+See: https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.25358 for the SARM paper.
+"""
+
 import logging
 from pathlib import Path
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import numpy as np
-import pandas as pd
 import torch
 from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
 
+from lerobot.utils.import_utils import _pandas_available
+from lerobot.utils.sample_weighting import SampleWeighter
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING or _pandas_available:
+    import pandas as pd
+else:
+    pd = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
+
 
 def resolve_hf_path(path: str | Path) -> Path:
     """Resolve a path that may be a HuggingFace URL (hf://datasets/...) to a local path."""
@@ -34,23 +56,27 @@ def resolve_hf_path(path: str | Path) -> Path:
     return Path(path)
 
 
-class RABCWeights:
+class RABCWeights(SampleWeighter):
     """
     Load precomputed SARM progress values and compute RA-BC weights during training.
 
+    This class implements the SampleWeighter ABC for use with the generic
+    sample weighting infrastructure in lerobot.
+
     Progress values are loaded from a parquet file (generated by compute_rabc_weights.py).
     During training, computes:
         - progress_delta = progress[t + chunk_size] - progress[t]
         - rabc_weight based on the delta (paper Eq. 8-9)
 
     Args:
-        progress_path: Path to parquet file with precomputed progress values
-        chunk_size: Number of frames ahead for computing progress delta
-        head_mode: Which SARM head to use ("sparse" or "dense")
-        kappa: Hard threshold for high-quality samples (default: 0.01)
-        epsilon: Small constant for numerical stability (default: 1e-6)
-        fallback_weight: Weight to use for frames without valid delta (default: 1.0)
-        device: Device to return tensors on
+        progress_path: Path to parquet file with precomputed progress values.
+                      Supports HuggingFace URLs (hf://datasets/...).
+        chunk_size: Number of frames ahead for computing progress delta.
+        head_mode: Which SARM head to use ("sparse" or "dense").
+        kappa: Hard threshold for high-quality samples (default: 0.01).
+        epsilon: Small constant for numerical stability (default: 1e-6).
+        fallback_weight: Weight to use for frames without valid delta (default: 1.0).
+        device: Device to return tensors on.
     """
 
     def __init__(
@@ -61,7 +87,7 @@ class RABCWeights:
         kappa: float = 0.01,
         epsilon: float = 1e-6,
         fallback_weight: float = 1.0,
-        device: torch.device = None,
+        device: torch.device | None = None,
     ):
         self.progress_path = resolve_hf_path(progress_path)
         self.chunk_size = chunk_size
@@ -87,8 +113,8 @@ class RABCWeights:
 
         logging.info(f"Using progress column: {self.progress_column}")
 
-        self.progress_lookup = {}
-        self.episode_lookup = {}
+        self.progress_lookup: dict[int, float] = {}
+        self.episode_lookup: dict[int, int] = {}
 
         for _, row in self.df.iterrows():
             global_idx = int(row["index"])
@@ -100,7 +126,7 @@ class RABCWeights:
             self.episode_lookup[global_idx] = episode_idx
 
         # Build episode boundaries for delta computation
-        self.episode_boundaries = {}
+        self.episode_boundaries: dict[int, dict[str, int]] = {}
         for episode_idx in self.df["episode_index"].unique():
             ep_df = self.df[self.df["episode_index"] == episode_idx]
             self.episode_boundaries[int(episode_idx)] = {
@@ -114,7 +140,7 @@ class RABCWeights:
         # Compute global statistics for weight computation
         self._compute_global_stats()
 
-    def _compute_global_stats(self):
+    def _compute_global_stats(self) -> None:
         """Compute global mean and std of progress deltas for weight calculation."""
         all_deltas = []
 
@@ -138,8 +164,8 @@ class RABCWeights:
                 all_deltas.append(delta)
 
         if all_deltas:
-            self.delta_mean = max(np.mean(all_deltas), 0.0)
-            self.delta_std = max(np.std(all_deltas), self.epsilon)
+            self.delta_mean = max(float(np.mean(all_deltas)), 0.0)
+            self.delta_std = max(float(np.std(all_deltas)), self.epsilon)
             logging.info(f"Progress delta stats: mean={self.delta_mean:.4f}, std={self.delta_std:.4f}")
         else:
             self.delta_mean = 0.0
@@ -157,18 +183,19 @@ class RABCWeights:
         4. Compute weight using paper Eq. 8-9
 
         Args:
-            batch: Training batch containing "index" key with global frame indices
+            batch: Training batch containing "index" key with global frame indices.
 
         Returns:
             Tuple of:
-            - Weights tensor (batch_size,) normalized to sum to batch_size
-            - Stats dict with raw_mean_weight, num_zero_weight, num_full_weight
+            - Weights tensor (batch_size,) normalized to sum to batch_size.
+            - Stats dict with weighting statistics for logging.
         """
         indices = batch.get("index")
         if indices is None:
             logging.warning("RA-BC: Batch missing 'index' key, using uniform weights")
             batch_size = self._get_batch_size(batch)
-            return torch.ones(batch_size, device=self.device), {"raw_mean_weight": 1.0}
+            stats = {"mean_weight": 1.0, "num_zero_weight": 0, "num_full_weight": batch_size}
+            return torch.ones(batch_size, device=self.device), stats
 
         # Convert to list of ints
         if isinstance(indices, torch.Tensor):
@@ -183,29 +210,29 @@ class RABCWeights:
             delta = self._compute_delta(idx)
             deltas.append(delta)
 
-        deltas = np.array(deltas, dtype=np.float32)
+        deltas_array = np.array(deltas, dtype=np.float32)
 
         # Compute weights from deltas
-        weights = self._compute_weights(deltas)
+        weights = self._compute_weights(deltas_array)
 
         # Compute stats before normalization for logging
         raw_mean_weight = float(np.nanmean(weights))
         num_zero_weight = int(np.sum(weights == 0))
         num_full_weight = int(np.sum(weights == 1.0))
         batch_stats = {
-            "raw_mean_weight": raw_mean_weight,
+            "mean_weight": raw_mean_weight,
             "num_zero_weight": num_zero_weight,
             "num_full_weight": num_full_weight,
         }
 
-        weights = torch.tensor(weights, device=self.device, dtype=torch.float32)
+        weights_tensor = torch.tensor(weights, device=self.device, dtype=torch.float32)
 
         # Normalize to sum to batch_size
-        batch_size = len(weights)
-        weight_sum = weights.sum() + self.epsilon
-        weights = weights * batch_size / weight_sum
+        batch_size = len(weights_tensor)
+        weight_sum = weights_tensor.sum() + self.epsilon
+        weights_tensor = weights_tensor * batch_size / weight_sum
 
-        return weights, batch_stats
+        return weights_tensor, batch_stats
 
     def _compute_delta(self, global_idx: int) -> float:
         """Compute progress delta for a single frame."""
@@ -241,7 +268,7 @@ class RABCWeights:
         - Final weight: wi = 1{ri > κ} + 1{0 ≤ ri ≤ κ}˜wi
 
         Returns:
-            Array of weights
+            Array of weights.
         """
         valid_mask = ~np.isnan(deltas)
 
@@ -273,12 +300,13 @@ class RABCWeights:
             if key in batch:
                 val = batch[key]
                 if isinstance(val, (torch.Tensor, np.ndarray)):
-                    return val.shape[0]
+                    return int(val.shape[0])
         return 1
 
     def get_stats(self) -> dict:
-        """Get statistics."""
+        """Get global statistics about the RA-BC weighting."""
         return {
+            "type": "rabc",
             "num_frames": len(self.progress_lookup),
             "chunk_size": self.chunk_size,
             "head_mode": self.head_mode,

src/lerobot/rewards/sarm/sarm_utils.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-
 # Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");

src/lerobot/rl/actor.py

@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ from lerobot.transport.utils import (
 )
 from lerobot.types import TransitionKey
 from lerobot.utils.device_utils import get_safe_torch_device
+from lerobot.utils.process import ProcessSignalHandler
 from lerobot.utils.random_utils import set_seed
 from lerobot.utils.robot_utils import precise_sleep
 from lerobot.utils.transition import (
@@ -94,7 +95,6 @@ from .gym_manipulator import (
     make_robot_env,
     step_env_and_process_transition,
 )
-from .process import ProcessSignalHandler
 from .queue import get_last_item_from_queue
 
 # Main entry point

src/lerobot/rl/crop_dataset_roi.py

@@ -193,15 +193,15 @@ def convert_lerobot_dataset_to_cropped_lerobot_dataset(
         fps=int(original_dataset.fps),
         root=new_dataset_root,
         robot_type=original_dataset.meta.robot_type,
-        features=original_dataset.meta.info["features"],
+        features=original_dataset.meta.info.features,
         use_videos=len(original_dataset.meta.video_keys) > 0,
     )
 
     # Update the metadata for every image key that will be cropped:
     # (Here we simply set the shape to be the final resize_size.)
     for key in crop_params_dict:
-        if key in new_dataset.meta.info["features"]:
-            new_dataset.meta.info["features"][key]["shape"] = [3] + list(resize_size)
+        if key in new_dataset.meta.info.features:
+            new_dataset.meta.info.features[key]["shape"] = (3, *resize_size)
 
     # TODO:  Directly modify the mp4 video + meta info features, instead of recreating a dataset
     prev_episode_index = 0

src/lerobot/rl/learner.py

@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ from lerobot.utils.constants import (
     TRAINING_STATE_DIR,
 )
 from lerobot.utils.device_utils import get_safe_torch_device
+from lerobot.utils.process import ProcessSignalHandler
 from lerobot.utils.random_utils import set_seed
 from lerobot.utils.transition import move_state_dict_to_device, move_transition_to_device
 from lerobot.utils.utils import (
@@ -99,7 +100,6 @@ from lerobot.utils.utils import (
 
 from .buffer import ReplayBuffer, concatenate_batch_transitions
 from .learner_service import MAX_WORKERS, SHUTDOWN_TIMEOUT, LearnerService
-from .process import ProcessSignalHandler
 
 
 @parser.wrap()

src/lerobot/rollout/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Policy deployment engine with pluggable rollout strategies."""
+
+from lerobot.utils.import_utils import require_package
+
+require_package("datasets", extra="dataset")
+
+from .configs import (
+    BaseStrategyConfig,
+    DAggerKeyboardConfig,
+    DAggerPedalConfig,
+    DAggerStrategyConfig,
+    HighlightStrategyConfig,
+    RolloutConfig,
+    RolloutStrategyConfig,
+    SentryStrategyConfig,
+)
+from .context import (
+    DatasetContext,
+    HardwareContext,
+    PolicyContext,
+    ProcessorContext,
+    RolloutContext,
+    RuntimeContext,
+    build_rollout_context,
+)
+from .inference import (
+    InferenceEngine,
+    InferenceEngineConfig,
+    RTCInferenceConfig,
+    RTCInferenceEngine,
+    SyncInferenceConfig,
+    SyncInferenceEngine,
+    create_inference_engine,
+)
+from .strategies import (
+    BaseStrategy,
+    DAggerStrategy,
+    HighlightStrategy,
+    RolloutStrategy,
+    SentryStrategy,
+    create_strategy,
+)
+
+__all__ = [
+    "BaseStrategy",
+    "BaseStrategyConfig",
+    "DAggerKeyboardConfig",
+    "DAggerPedalConfig",
+    "DAggerStrategy",
+    "DAggerStrategyConfig",
+    "DatasetContext",
+    "HardwareContext",
+    "HighlightStrategy",
+    "HighlightStrategyConfig",
+    "InferenceEngine",
+    "InferenceEngineConfig",
+    "PolicyContext",
+    "ProcessorContext",
+    "RTCInferenceConfig",
+    "RTCInferenceEngine",
+    "RolloutConfig",
+    "RolloutContext",
+    "RolloutStrategy",
+    "RolloutStrategyConfig",
+    "RuntimeContext",
+    "SentryStrategy",
+    "SentryStrategyConfig",
+    "SyncInferenceConfig",
+    "SyncInferenceEngine",
+    "build_rollout_context",
+    "create_inference_engine",
+    "create_strategy",
+]

src/lerobot/rollout/configs.py

@@ -0,0 +1,323 @@
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Configuration dataclasses for the rollout deployment engine."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import abc
+import logging
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+
+import draccus
+
+from lerobot.configs import PreTrainedConfig, parser
+from lerobot.configs.dataset import DatasetRecordConfig
+from lerobot.robots.config import RobotConfig
+from lerobot.teleoperators.config import TeleoperatorConfig
+from lerobot.utils.device_utils import auto_select_torch_device, is_torch_device_available
+
+from .inference import InferenceEngineConfig, SyncInferenceConfig
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Strategy configs (polymorphic dispatch via draccus ChoiceRegistry)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@dataclass
+class RolloutStrategyConfig(draccus.ChoiceRegistry, abc.ABC):
+    """Abstract base for rollout strategy configurations.
+
+    Use ``--strategy.type=<name>`` on the CLI to select a strategy.
+    """
+
+    @property
+    def type(self) -> str:
+        return self.get_choice_name(self.__class__)
+
+
+@RolloutStrategyConfig.register_subclass("base")
+@dataclass
+class BaseStrategyConfig(RolloutStrategyConfig):
+    """Autonomous rollout with no data recording."""
+
+    pass
+
+
+@RolloutStrategyConfig.register_subclass("sentry")
+@dataclass
+class SentryStrategyConfig(RolloutStrategyConfig):
+    """Continuous autonomous rollout with always-on recording.
+
+    Episode duration is derived from camera resolution, FPS, and
+    ``target_video_file_size_mb`` so that each saved episode produces a
+    video file that has crossed the target size.  This aligns episode
+    boundaries with the dataset's video file chunking, so each
+    ``push_to_hub`` call uploads complete video files rather than
+    re-uploading a growing file that hasn't crossed the chunk boundary.
+    """
+
+    upload_every_n_episodes: int = 5
+    # Target video file size in MB for episode rotation.  Episodes are
+    # saved once the estimated video duration would exceed this limit.
+    # Defaults to DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB when set to None.
+    target_video_file_size_mb: int | None = None
+
+
+@RolloutStrategyConfig.register_subclass("highlight")
+@dataclass
+class HighlightStrategyConfig(RolloutStrategyConfig):
+    """Autonomous rollout with on-demand recording via ring buffer.
+
+    A memory-bounded ring buffer continuously captures telemetry.  When
+    the user presses the save key, the buffer contents are flushed to
+    the dataset and live recording continues until the key is pressed
+    again.
+    """
+
+    ring_buffer_seconds: float = 10.0
+    ring_buffer_max_memory_mb: int = 1024
+    save_key: str = "s"
+    push_key: str = "h"
+
+
+@dataclass
+class DAggerKeyboardConfig:
+    """Keyboard key bindings for DAgger controls.
+
+    Keys are specified as single characters (e.g. ``"c"``, ``"h"``) or
+    special key names (``"space"``).
+    """
+
+    pause_resume: str = "space"
+    correction: str = "tab"
+    upload: str = "enter"
+
+
+@dataclass
+class DAggerPedalConfig:
+    """Foot pedal configuration for DAgger controls.
+
+    Pedal codes are evdev key code strings (e.g. ``"KEY_A"``).
+    """
+
+    device_path: str = "/dev/input/by-id/usb-PCsensor_FootSwitch-event-kbd"
+    pause_resume: str = "KEY_A"
+    correction: str = "KEY_B"
+    upload: str = "KEY_C"
+
+
+@RolloutStrategyConfig.register_subclass("dagger")
+@dataclass
+class DAggerStrategyConfig(RolloutStrategyConfig):
+    """Human-in-the-loop data collection (DAgger / RaC).
+
+    Alternates between autonomous policy execution and human intervention.
+    Intervention frames are tagged with ``intervention=True``.
+
+    Input is controlled via either a keyboard or foot pedal, selected by
+    ``input_device``.  Each device exposes three actions:
+
+    1. **pause_resume** — toggle policy execution on/off.
+    2. **correction** — toggle human correction recording.
+    3. **upload** — push dataset to hub on demand (corrections-only mode).
+
+    When ``record_autonomous=False`` (default) only human-correction windows
+    are recorded — each correction becomes its own episode.  Set to ``True``
+    to record both autonomous and correction frames with size-based episode
+    rotation (same as Sentry) and background uploading.  ``push_to_hub`` is
+    blocked while a correction is in progress.
+    """
+
+    # Number of correction episodes to collect (corrections-only mode).
+    # When None, falls back to ``--dataset.num_episodes``.
+    num_episodes: int | None = None
+    record_autonomous: bool = False
+    upload_every_n_episodes: int = 5
+    # Target video file size in MB for episode rotation (record_autonomous
+    # mode only).  Defaults to DEFAULT_VIDEO_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB when None.
+    target_video_file_size_mb: int | None = None
+    input_device: str = "keyboard"
+    keyboard: DAggerKeyboardConfig = field(default_factory=DAggerKeyboardConfig)
+    pedal: DAggerPedalConfig = field(default_factory=DAggerPedalConfig)
+
+    def __post_init__(self):
+        if self.input_device not in ("keyboard", "pedal"):
+            raise ValueError(f"DAgger input_device must be 'keyboard' or 'pedal', got '{self.input_device}'")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Top-level rollout config
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@dataclass
+class RolloutConfig:
+    """Top-level configuration for the ``lerobot-rollout`` CLI.
+
+    Combines hardware, policy, strategy, and runtime settings.  The
+    ``__post_init__`` method performs fail-fast validation to reject
+    invalid flag combinations early.
+    """
+
+    # Hardware
+    robot: RobotConfig | None = None
+    teleop: TeleoperatorConfig | None = None
+
+    # Policy (loaded from --policy.path via __post_init__)
+    policy: PreTrainedConfig | None = None
+
+    # Strategy (polymorphic: --strategy.type=base|sentry|highlight|dagger)
+    strategy: RolloutStrategyConfig = field(default_factory=BaseStrategyConfig)
+
+    # Inference backend (polymorphic: --inference.type=sync|rtc)
+    inference: InferenceEngineConfig = field(default_factory=SyncInferenceConfig)
+
+    # Dataset (required for sentry, highlight, dagger; None for base)
+    dataset: DatasetRecordConfig | None = None
+
+    # Runtime
+    fps: float = 30.0
+    duration: float = 0.0  # 0 = infinite (24/7 mode)
+    interpolation_multiplier: int = 1
+    device: str | None = None
+    task: str = ""
+    display_data: bool = False
+    # Display data on a remote Rerun server
+    display_ip: str | None = None
+    # Port of the remote Rerun server
+    display_port: int | None = None
+    # Whether to display compressed images in Rerun
+    display_compressed_images: bool = False
+    # Use vocal synthesis to read events
+    play_sounds: bool = True
+    resume: bool = False
+    # Rename map for mapping robot/dataset observation keys to policy keys
+    rename_map: dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
+
+    # Hardware teardown
+    # When True (default), smoothly interpolate the robot back to the joint
+    # positions captured at startup before disconnecting.  Set to False to
+    # leave the robot in its final achieved pose at shutdown.
+    return_to_initial_position: bool = True
+
+    # Torch compile
+    use_torch_compile: bool = False
+    torch_compile_backend: str = "inductor"
+    torch_compile_mode: str = "default"
+    compile_warmup_inferences: int = 2
+
+    def __post_init__(self):
+        """Validate config invariants and load the policy config from ``--policy.path``."""
+        # --- Strategy-specific validation ---
+        if isinstance(self.strategy, DAggerStrategyConfig) and self.teleop is None:
+            raise ValueError("DAgger strategy requires --teleop.type to be set")
+
+        # TODO(Steven): DAgger shouldn't require a dataset (user may want to just rollout+intervene without recording), but for now we require it to simplify the implementation.
+        needs_dataset = isinstance(
+            self.strategy, (SentryStrategyConfig, HighlightStrategyConfig, DAggerStrategyConfig)
+        )
+        if needs_dataset and (self.dataset is None or not self.dataset.repo_id):
+            raise ValueError(f"{self.strategy.type} strategy requires --dataset.repo_id to be set")
+
+        if isinstance(self.strategy, BaseStrategyConfig) and self.dataset is not None:
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Base strategy does not record data. Use sentry, highlight, or dagger for recording."
+            )
+
+        # Sentry MUST use streaming encoding to avoid disk I/O blocking the control loop
+        if (
+            isinstance(self.strategy, SentryStrategyConfig)
+            and self.dataset is not None
+            and not self.dataset.streaming_encoding
+        ):
+            logger.warning("Sentry mode forces streaming_encoding=True")
+            self.dataset.streaming_encoding = True
+
+        # Highlight writes frames while the policy is still running, so streaming is mandatory.
+        if (
+            isinstance(self.strategy, HighlightStrategyConfig)
+            and self.dataset is not None
+            and not self.dataset.streaming_encoding
+        ):
+            logger.warning("Highlight mode forces streaming_encoding=True")
+            self.dataset.streaming_encoding = True
+
+        # DAgger: streaming is mandatory only when the autonomous phase is also recorded.
+        if isinstance(self.strategy, DAggerStrategyConfig) and self.dataset is not None:
+            if self.strategy.record_autonomous and not self.dataset.streaming_encoding:
+                logger.warning("DAgger with record_autonomous=True forces streaming_encoding=True")
+                self.dataset.streaming_encoding = True
+            elif not self.strategy.record_autonomous and not self.dataset.streaming_encoding:
+                logger.info(
+                    "Streaming encoding is disabled for DAgger corrections-only mode. "
+                    "Consider enabling it for faster episode saving: "
+                    "--dataset.streaming_encoding=true --dataset.encoder_threads=2"
+                )
+
+        # DAgger: resolve num_episodes from dataset config when not explicitly set.
+        if isinstance(self.strategy, DAggerStrategyConfig) and self.strategy.num_episodes is None:
+            if self.dataset is not None:
+                self.strategy.num_episodes = self.dataset.num_episodes
+                logger.info(
+                    "DAgger num_episodes not set — using --dataset.num_episodes=%d",
+                    self.strategy.num_episodes,
+                )
+            else:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    "DAgger num_episodes must be set either via --strategy.num_episodes or --dataset.num_episodes"
+                )
+
+        # --- Policy loading ---
+        if self.robot is None:
+            raise ValueError("--robot.type is required for rollout")
+
+        policy_path = parser.get_path_arg("policy")
+        if policy_path:
+            cli_overrides = parser.get_cli_overrides("policy")
+            self.policy = PreTrainedConfig.from_pretrained(policy_path, cli_overrides=cli_overrides)
+            self.policy.pretrained_path = policy_path
+        if self.policy is None:
+            raise ValueError("--policy.path is required for rollout")
+
+        # --- Task resolution ---
+        # When any --dataset.* flag is passed, draccus creates a DatasetRecordConfig with single_task="".
+        # If the user set the task via the top-level --task flag, propagate it so that all
+        # downstream consumers (inference engine, dataset frame builders) see it.
+        if self.dataset is not None and not self.dataset.single_task and self.task:
+            logger.info("Propagating top-level task '%s' to dataset config", self.task)
+            self.dataset.single_task = self.task
+        elif self.dataset is not None and self.dataset.single_task and not self.task:
+            logger.info("Propagating dataset single_task '%s' to top-level task", self.dataset.single_task)
+            self.task = self.dataset.single_task
+
+        # --- Device resolution ---
+        # Resolve device from the policy config when not explicitly set so all
+        # components (policy.to, preprocessor, inference engine) use the same
+        # device string instead of inconsistent fallbacks.
+        if self.device is None or not is_torch_device_available(self.device):
+            resolved = self.policy.device
+            if resolved:
+                self.device = resolved
+                logger.info("Resolved device from policy config: %s", self.device)
+            else:
+                self.device = auto_select_torch_device().type
+                logger.info("No policy config to resolve device from; auto-selected device: %s", self.device)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def __get_path_fields__(cls) -> list[str]:
+        return ["policy"]

src/lerobot/rollout/context.py

@@ -0,0 +1,454 @@
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Rollout context: shared state created once before strategy dispatch.
+
+Grouped into five topical sub-contexts — :class:`RuntimeContext`,
+:class:`HardwareContext`, :class:`PolicyContext`, :class:`ProcessorContext`,
+and :class:`DatasetContext` — assembled into :class:`RolloutContext`.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from threading import Event
+
+import torch
+
+from lerobot.configs import FeatureType
+from lerobot.datasets import (
+    LeRobotDataset,
+    aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features,
+    create_initial_features,
+)
+from lerobot.policies import get_policy_class, make_pre_post_processors
+from lerobot.policies.pretrained import PreTrainedPolicy
+from lerobot.processor import (
+    PolicyProcessorPipeline,
+    RobotAction,
+    RobotObservation,
+    RobotProcessorPipeline,
+    make_default_processors,
+    rename_stats,
+)
+from lerobot.processor.relative_action_processor import RelativeActionsProcessorStep
+from lerobot.robots import make_robot_from_config
+from lerobot.teleoperators import Teleoperator, make_teleoperator_from_config
+from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import combine_feature_dicts, hw_to_dataset_features
+
+from .configs import BaseStrategyConfig, DAggerStrategyConfig, RolloutConfig
+from .inference import (
+    InferenceEngine,
+    RTCInferenceConfig,
+    SyncInferenceConfig,
+    create_inference_engine,
+)
+from .robot_wrapper import ThreadSafeRobot
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def _resolve_action_key_order(
+    policy_action_names: list[str] | None, dataset_action_names: list[str]
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Choose action name ordering for mapping policy tensor outputs to robot action dicts."""
+    if not policy_action_names:
+        return dataset_action_names
+    policy_action_names = list(policy_action_names)
+    if len(policy_action_names) != len(dataset_action_names):
+        logger.warning(
+            "policy.action_feature_names length (%d) != dataset action dim (%d); using dataset order",
+            len(policy_action_names),
+            len(dataset_action_names),
+        )
+        return dataset_action_names
+    if set(dataset_action_names) != set(policy_action_names):
+        logger.warning("policy.action_feature_names keys don't match dataset; using dataset order")
+        return dataset_action_names
+    return policy_action_names
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Sub-contexts
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@dataclass
+class RuntimeContext:
+    """Runtime knobs shared with every strategy."""
+
+    cfg: RolloutConfig
+    shutdown_event: Event
+
+
+@dataclass
+class HardwareContext:
+    """Connected hardware.
+
+    The raw robot is available via ``robot_wrapper.inner`` when needed
+    (e.g. for disconnect); strategies should otherwise go through the
+    thread-safe wrapper.
+
+    ``initial_position`` stores the robot's joint positions at connect
+    time.  Strategies use it to return the robot to a safe pose before
+    shutting down.
+    """
+
+    robot_wrapper: ThreadSafeRobot
+    teleop: Teleoperator | None
+    initial_position: dict | None = None
+
+
+@dataclass
+class PolicyContext:
+    """Loaded policy and its inference engine."""
+
+    policy: PreTrainedPolicy
+    preprocessor: PolicyProcessorPipeline
+    postprocessor: PolicyProcessorPipeline
+    inference: InferenceEngine
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ProcessorContext:
+    """Robot-side pipelines (run outside the policy)."""
+
+    teleop_action_processor: RobotProcessorPipeline[tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction]
+    robot_action_processor: RobotProcessorPipeline[tuple[RobotAction, RobotObservation], RobotAction]
+    robot_observation_processor: RobotProcessorPipeline[RobotObservation, RobotObservation]
+
+
+@dataclass
+class DatasetContext:
+    """Dataset and feature bookkeeping."""
+
+    dataset: LeRobotDataset | None
+    dataset_features: dict = field(default_factory=dict)
+    hw_features: dict = field(default_factory=dict)
+    ordered_action_keys: list[str] = field(default_factory=list)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class RolloutContext:
+    """Bundle of sub-contexts passed to every rollout strategy.
+
+    Built once by :func:`build_rollout_context` before strategy dispatch.
+    """
+
+    runtime: RuntimeContext
+    hardware: HardwareContext
+    policy: PolicyContext
+    processors: ProcessorContext
+    data: DatasetContext
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Build
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def build_rollout_context(
+    cfg: RolloutConfig,
+    shutdown_event: Event,
+    teleop_action_processor: RobotProcessorPipeline | None = None,
+    robot_action_processor: RobotProcessorPipeline | None = None,
+    robot_observation_processor: RobotProcessorPipeline | None = None,
+) -> RolloutContext:
+    """Wire up policy, processors, hardware, dataset, and inference engine.
+
+    The order is policy-first / hardware-last so a bad ``--policy.path``
+    fails fast without touching the robot.
+    """
+    is_rtc = isinstance(cfg.inference, RTCInferenceConfig)
+
+    # --- 1. Policy (heavy I/O, but no hardware yet) -------------------
+    logger.info("Loading policy from '%s'...", cfg.policy.pretrained_path)
+    policy_config = cfg.policy
+    policy_class = get_policy_class(policy_config.type)
+
+    if hasattr(policy_config, "compile_model"):
+        policy_config.compile_model = cfg.use_torch_compile
+
+    if policy_config.type == "vqbet" and cfg.device == "mps":
+        raise NotImplementedError(
+            "Current implementation of VQBeT does not support `mps` backend. "
+            "Please use `cpu` or `cuda` backend."
+        )
+
+    if policy_config.use_peft:
+        from peft import PeftConfig, PeftModel
+
+        peft_path = policy_config.pretrained_path
+        peft_config = PeftConfig.from_pretrained(peft_path)
+        policy = policy_class.from_pretrained(
+            pretrained_name_or_path=peft_config.base_model_name_or_path, config=policy_config
+        )
+        policy = PeftModel.from_pretrained(policy, peft_path, config=peft_config)
+    else:
+        policy = policy_class.from_pretrained(policy_config.pretrained_path, config=policy_config)
+
+    if is_rtc:
+        policy.config.rtc_config = cfg.inference.rtc
+        if hasattr(policy, "init_rtc_processor"):
+            policy.init_rtc_processor()
+
+    policy = policy.to(cfg.device)
+    policy.eval()
+    logger.info("Policy loaded: type=%s, device=%s", policy_config.type, cfg.device)
+
+    if cfg.use_torch_compile and policy.type not in ("pi0", "pi05"):
+        try:
+            if hasattr(torch, "compile"):
+                compile_kwargs = {
+                    "backend": cfg.torch_compile_backend,
+                    "mode": cfg.torch_compile_mode,
+                    "options": {"triton.cudagraphs": False},
+                }
+                policy.predict_action_chunk = torch.compile(policy.predict_action_chunk, **compile_kwargs)
+                logger.info("torch.compile applied to predict_action_chunk")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("Failed to apply torch.compile: %s", e)
+
+    # --- 2. Robot-side processors (user-supplied or defaults) --------
+    if (
+        teleop_action_processor is None
+        or robot_action_processor is None
+        or robot_observation_processor is None
+    ):
+        _t, _r, _o = make_default_processors()
+        teleop_action_processor = teleop_action_processor or _t
+        robot_action_processor = robot_action_processor or _r
+        robot_observation_processor = robot_observation_processor or _o
+
+    # --- 3. Hardware (heaviest side-effect, deferred) -----------------
+    logger.info("Connecting robot (%s)...", cfg.robot.type if cfg.robot else "?")
+    robot = make_robot_from_config(cfg.robot)
+    robot.connect()
+    logger.info("Robot connected: %s", robot.name)
+
+    # Store the initial joint positions so we can return to a safe pose on shutdown.
+    initial_obs = robot.get_observation()
+    initial_position = {k: v for k, v in initial_obs.items() if k.endswith(".pos")}
+    logger.info("Captured initial robot position (%d keys)", len(initial_position))
+
+    robot_wrapper = ThreadSafeRobot(robot)
+
+    teleop = None
+    if cfg.teleop is not None:
+        logger.info("Connecting teleoperator (%s)...", cfg.teleop.type if cfg.teleop else "?")
+        teleop = make_teleoperator_from_config(cfg.teleop)
+        teleop.connect()
+        logger.info("Teleoperator connected")
+
+    # TODO(Steven): once Teleoperator motor-control methods are standardised
+    # (``enable_torque`` / ``disable_torque`` / ``write_goal_positions``), gate
+    # the DAgger strategy on their presence here and fail fast with a helpful
+    # message instead of relying on the operator to pre-align the leader by
+    # hand.  See :func:`DAggerStrategy._apply_transition` for the matching
+    # disabled call sites.
+    # if isinstance(cfg.strategy, DAggerStrategyConfig) and teleop is not None:
+    #     required_teleop_methods = ("enable_torque", "disable_torque", "write_goal_positions")
+    #     missing = [m for m in required_teleop_methods if not callable(getattr(teleop, m, None))]
+    #     if missing:
+    #         teleop.disconnect()
+    #         raise ValueError(
+    #             f"DAgger strategy requires a teleoperator with motor control methods "
+    #             f"{required_teleop_methods}. '{type(teleop).__name__}' is missing: {missing}"
+    #         )
+
+    # --- 4. Features + action-key reconciliation ---------------------
+    # TODO(Steven):Only ``.pos`` joint features are routed to the policy as state and as the
+    # action target; velocity and torque channels (when present) are kept in
+    # the raw observation but excluded from the policy-facing tensors.
+    all_obs_features = robot.observation_features
+    # ``observation_features`` values are either a tuple (camera shape) or the
+    # ``float`` type itself used as a sentinel for scalar motor features —
+    # see ``dict[str, type | tuple]`` annotation on ``Robot.observation_features``.
+    observation_features_hw = {
+        k: v
+        for k, v in all_obs_features.items()
+        if isinstance(v, tuple) or (v is float and k.endswith(".pos"))
+    }
+    action_features_hw = {k: v for k, v in robot.action_features.items() if k.endswith(".pos")}
+
+    # The action side is always needed: sync inference reads action names from
+    # ``dataset_features[ACTION]`` to map policy tensors back to robot actions.
+    action_dataset_features = aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features(
+        pipeline=teleop_action_processor,
+        initial_features=create_initial_features(action=action_features_hw),
+        use_videos=cfg.dataset.video if cfg.dataset else True,
+    )
+    # Observation-side aggregation is needed because of build_dataset_frame
+    observation_dataset_features = aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features(
+        pipeline=robot_observation_processor,
+        initial_features=create_initial_features(observation=observation_features_hw),
+        use_videos=cfg.dataset.video if cfg.dataset else True,
+    )
+    dataset_features = combine_feature_dicts(action_dataset_features, observation_dataset_features)
+    hw_features = hw_to_dataset_features(observation_features_hw, "observation")
+    raw_action_keys = list(action_features_hw.keys())
+    policy_action_names = getattr(policy_config, "action_feature_names", None)
+    ordered_action_keys = _resolve_action_key_order(
+        list(policy_action_names) if policy_action_names else None,
+        raw_action_keys,
+    )
+
+    # Validate visual features if no rename_map is active
+    rename_map = cfg.rename_map
+    if not rename_map:
+        expected_visuals = {
+            k for k, v in policy_config.input_features.items() if v.type == FeatureType.VISUAL
+        }
+        provided_visuals = {
+            f"observation.images.{k}" for k, v in robot.observation_features.items() if isinstance(v, tuple)
+        }
+        policy_subset = expected_visuals.issubset(provided_visuals)
+        hw_subset = provided_visuals.issubset(expected_visuals)
+        if not (policy_subset or hw_subset):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Visual feature mismatch between policy and robot hardware.\n"
+                f"Policy expects: {expected_visuals}\n"
+                f"Robot provides: {provided_visuals}"
+            )
+
+    # --- 5. Dataset -------------
+    dataset = None
+    if cfg.dataset is not None and not isinstance(cfg.strategy, BaseStrategyConfig):
+        logger.info("Setting up dataset (repo_id=%s)...", cfg.dataset.repo_id)
+        if cfg.resume:
+            dataset = LeRobotDataset.resume(
+                cfg.dataset.repo_id,
+                root=cfg.dataset.root,
+                batch_encoding_size=cfg.dataset.video_encoding_batch_size,
+                camera_encoder_config=cfg.dataset.camera_encoder_config,
+                streaming_encoding=cfg.dataset.streaming_encoding,
+                encoder_queue_maxsize=cfg.dataset.encoder_queue_maxsize,
+                encoder_threads=cfg.dataset.encoder_threads,
+                image_writer_processes=cfg.dataset.num_image_writer_processes,
+                image_writer_threads=cfg.dataset.num_image_writer_threads_per_camera
+                * len(robot.cameras if hasattr(robot, "cameras") else []),
+            )
+        else:
+            if isinstance(cfg.strategy, DAggerStrategyConfig):
+                dataset_features["intervention"] = {
+                    "dtype": "bool",
+                    "shape": (1,),
+                    "names": None,
+                }
+
+            repo_name = cfg.dataset.repo_id.split("/", 1)[-1]
+            if not repo_name.startswith("rollout_"):
+                raise ValueError(
+                    "Dataset names for rollout must start with 'rollout_'. "
+                    "Use --dataset.repo_id=<user>/rollout_<name> for policy deployment datasets."
+                )
+            cfg.dataset.stamp_repo_id()
+            target_video_mb = getattr(cfg.strategy, "target_video_file_size_mb", None)
+            dataset = LeRobotDataset.create(
+                cfg.dataset.repo_id,
+                cfg.dataset.fps,
+                root=cfg.dataset.root,
+                robot_type=robot.name,
+                features=dataset_features,
+                use_videos=cfg.dataset.video,
+                image_writer_processes=cfg.dataset.num_image_writer_processes,
+                image_writer_threads=cfg.dataset.num_image_writer_threads_per_camera
+                * len(robot.cameras if hasattr(robot, "cameras") else []),
+                batch_encoding_size=cfg.dataset.video_encoding_batch_size,
+                camera_encoder_config=cfg.dataset.camera_encoder_config,
+                streaming_encoding=cfg.dataset.streaming_encoding,
+                encoder_queue_maxsize=cfg.dataset.encoder_queue_maxsize,
+                encoder_threads=cfg.dataset.encoder_threads,
+                video_files_size_in_mb=target_video_mb,
+            )
+
+    if dataset is not None:
+        logger.info("Dataset ready: %s (%d existing episodes)", dataset.repo_id, dataset.num_episodes)
+
+    # --- 6. Policy pre/post processors (needs dataset stats if any) ---
+    dataset_stats = None
+    if dataset is not None:
+        dataset_stats = rename_stats(
+            dataset.meta.stats,
+            cfg.rename_map,
+        )
+
+    preprocessor, postprocessor = make_pre_post_processors(
+        policy_cfg=policy_config,
+        pretrained_path=cfg.policy.pretrained_path,
+        dataset_stats=dataset_stats,
+        preprocessor_overrides={
+            "device_processor": {"device": cfg.device},
+            "rename_observations_processor": {"rename_map": cfg.rename_map},
+        },
+    )
+
+    if isinstance(cfg.inference, SyncInferenceConfig) and any(
+        isinstance(step, RelativeActionsProcessorStep) and step.enabled
+        for step in getattr(preprocessor, "steps", ())
+    ):
+        raise NotImplementedError(
+            "SyncInferenceEngine does not support policies with relative actions for now."
+            "Use --inference.type=rtc or remove relative action processor steps from the policy pipeline."
+        )
+
+    # --- 7. Inference strategy (needs policy + pre/post + hardware) --
+    logger.info(
+        "Creating inference engine (type=%s)...",
+        cfg.inference.type if hasattr(cfg.inference, "type") else "sync",
+    )
+    task_str = cfg.dataset.single_task if cfg.dataset else cfg.task
+    inference_strategy = create_inference_engine(
+        cfg.inference,
+        policy=policy,
+        preprocessor=preprocessor,
+        postprocessor=postprocessor,
+        robot_wrapper=robot_wrapper,
+        hw_features=hw_features,
+        dataset_features=dataset_features,
+        ordered_action_keys=ordered_action_keys,
+        task=task_str,
+        fps=cfg.fps,
+        device=cfg.device,
+        use_torch_compile=cfg.use_torch_compile,
+        compile_warmup_inferences=cfg.compile_warmup_inferences,
+        shutdown_event=shutdown_event,
+    )
+
+    # --- 8. Assemble ---------------------------------------------------
+    logger.info("Rollout context assembled successfully")
+    return RolloutContext(
+        runtime=RuntimeContext(cfg=cfg, shutdown_event=shutdown_event),
+        hardware=HardwareContext(
+            robot_wrapper=robot_wrapper, teleop=teleop, initial_position=initial_position
+        ),
+        policy=PolicyContext(
+            policy=policy,
+            preprocessor=preprocessor,
+            postprocessor=postprocessor,
+            inference=inference_strategy,
+        ),
+        processors=ProcessorContext(
+            teleop_action_processor=teleop_action_processor,
+            robot_action_processor=robot_action_processor,
+            robot_observation_processor=robot_observation_processor,
+        ),
+        data=DatasetContext(
+            dataset=dataset,
+            dataset_features=dataset_features,
+            hw_features=hw_features,
+            ordered_action_keys=ordered_action_keys,
+        ),
+    )