feat(default values): applying a consistent naming convention for default RGB cameras video encoder parameters

* 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 }}

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,
         )

docs/source/_toctree.yml

@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@
     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 +14,22 @@ 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       |
+All encoding parameters are grouped under `camera_encoder_config` (a `VideoEncoderConfig` dataclass), accessible from the CLI via `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.<field>`.
+
+| 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                       |
+| `pix_fmt`               | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.pix_fmt`     | `str`         | `"yuv420p"`   | Pixel format                                                        |
+| `g`                     | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.g`           | `int \| None` | `2`           | GOP size (keyframe interval)                                        |
+| `crf`                   | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.crf`         | `int \| None` | `30`          | Quality level (mapped to codec-specific parameter)                  |
+| `preset`                | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.preset`      | `int \| None` | `12`          | Speed preset (libsvtav1 only, 0 = slowest … 13 = fastest)           |
+| `fast_decode`           | `--dataset.camera_encoder_config.fast_decode` | `int`         | `0`           | Fast-decode tuning level                                            |
+| `encoder_threads`       | `--dataset.encoder_threads`                   | `int \| None` | `None` (auto) | Threads per encoder instance (global). `None` lets the codec decide |
+| `encoder_queue_maxsize` | `--dataset.encoder_queue_maxsize`             | `int`         | `60`          | Max buffered frames per camera (~2s at 30fps). Consumes RAM         |
+
+> [!TIP]
+> Not all parameters apply to every codec. `VideoEncoderConfig` will warn at startup if you set a parameter that your chosen codec ignores (e.g. `preset` with `h264_nvenc`).
 
 ## 3. Performance Considerations
 
@@ -40,7 +50,7 @@ Streaming encoding means the CPU is encoding video **during** the capture loop,
 
 ### `encoder_threads` Tuning
 
-This parameter controls how many threads each encoder instance uses internally:
+This parameter (`--dataset.encoder_threads`) controls how many threads each encoder instance uses internally:
 
 - **Higher values** (e.g., 4-5): Faster encoding, but uses more CPU cores per camera. Good for high-end systems with many cores.
 - **Lower values** (e.g., 1-2): Less CPU per camera, freeing cores for capture and visualization. Good for low-res images and capable CPUs.
@@ -82,15 +92,15 @@ 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 +110,15 @@ 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
 
@@ -146,10 +156,10 @@ 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
 
 Performance ultimately depends on your exact setup — frames-per-second, resolution, CPU cores and load, available memory, episode length, and the encoder you choose. Always test with your target workload, be mindful about your CPU & system capabilities and tune `encoder_threads`, `encoder_queue_maxsize`, and
-`vcodec` reasonably. That said, a common practical configuration (for many applications) is three cameras at 640×480x3 @30fps; this usually runs fine with the default streaming video encoding settings in modern systems. Always verify your recorded dataset is healthy by comparing the video duration to the CLI episode duration and confirming the row count equals FPS × CLI duration.
+`camera_encoder_config.vcodec` reasonably. That said, a common practical configuration (for many applications) is three cameras at 640×480x3 @30fps; this usually runs fine with the default streaming video encoding settings in modern systems. Always verify your recorded dataset is healthy by comparing the video duration to the CLI episode duration and confirming the row count equals FPS × CLI duration.

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 +147,14 @@ 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>`:
+  - `vcodec`: Video codec — `h264`, `hevc`, `libsvtav1`, `auto`, or hardware codecs (default: `libsvtav1`)
+  - `pix_fmt`: Pixel format — `yuv420p`, `yuv444p` (default: `yuv420p`)
+  - `g`: GOP size — lower values give better quality but larger files (default: 2)
+  - `crf`: Quality level — lower is better, 0 is lossless (default: 30)
+  - `preset`: Speed preset, libsvtav1 only (default: 12)
+  - `fast_decode`: Fast-decode tuning (default: 0)
+  - `encoder_threads`: Threads per encoder instance — global setting, separate from `camera_encoder_config` (default: None)
 - `episode_indices`: List of specific episodes to convert (default: all episodes)
 - `num_workers`: Number of parallel workers for processing (default: 4)
 

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 +1,80 @@
+# 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
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+@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 codec for encoding videos. Options: 'h264', 'hevc', 'libsvtav1', 'auto',
+    # or hardware-specific: 'h264_videotoolbox', 'h264_nvenc', 'h264_vaapi', 'h264_qsv'.
+    # Use 'auto' to auto-detect the best available hardware encoder.
+    vcodec: str = "libsvtav1"
+    # 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:
@@ -251,13 +249,16 @@ 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,
+                    self._encoder_threads,
+                    encoder_queue_maxsize,
                 )
             self.writer = DatasetWriter(
                 meta=self.meta,
                 root=self.root,
-                vcodec=self._vcodec,
-                encoder_threads=encoder_threads,
+                camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
+                encoder_threads=self._encoder_threads,
                 batch_encoding_size=batch_encoding_size,
                 streaming_encoder=streaming_enc,
                 initial_frames=self.meta.total_frames,
@@ -298,19 +299,15 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
     @staticmethod
     def _build_streaming_encoder(
         fps: int,
-        vcodec: str,
-        encoder_queue_maxsize: int,
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None,
         encoder_threads: int | None,
+        encoder_queue_maxsize: int,
     ) -> StreamingVideoEncoder:
         return StreamingVideoEncoder(
             fps=fps,
-            vcodec=vcodec,
-            pix_fmt="yuv420p",
-            g=2,
-            crf=30,
-            preset=None,
-            queue_maxsize=encoder_queue_maxsize,
+            camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
             encoder_threads=encoder_threads,
+            queue_maxsize=encoder_queue_maxsize,
         )
 
     # ── Metadata properties ───────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -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_threads, encoder_queue_maxsize
+            )
         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_threads, encoder_queue_maxsize
             )
         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 +1,186 @@
+#!/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 lerobot.datasets.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:
+        logger.warning(
+            "Codec %r is not available in the bundled FFmpeg build; ",
+            vcodec,
+        )
+        return
+    _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
@@ -37,7 +37,11 @@ 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.datasets.pyav_utils import (
+    check_video_encoder_config_pyav,
+    detect_available_encoders_pyav,
+)
+from lerobot.utils.import_utils import get_safe_default_video_backend
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -54,68 +58,155 @@ HW_ENCODERS = [
 
 VALID_VIDEO_CODECS = {"h264", "hevc", "libsvtav1", "auto"} | set(HW_ENCODERS)
 
-
-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 = {}
-
-    # 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)
-
-    # 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)
-
-    # Preset (only for libsvtav1)
-    if vcodec == "libsvtav1":
-        options["preset"] = str(preset) if preset is not None else "12"
-
-    return options
+LIBSVTAV1_DEFAULT_PRESET: int = 12
 
 
-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
+@dataclass
+class VideoEncoderConfig:
+    """Video encoder configuration.
+
+    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}``).
+    """
+
+    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)
+
+    def __post_init__(self) -> None:
+        self.resolve_vcodec()
+
+        # 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_ENCODERS)
+            for encoder in HW_ENCODERS:
+                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}")
+            self.vcodec = 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, str]:
+        """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 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 +794,25 @@ 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,
-        queue_maxsize: int = 30,
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None = None,
         encoder_threads: int | None = None,
+        *,
+        queue_maxsize: int = 30,
     ):
+        """
+        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 +843,19 @@ 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 +1060,18 @@ 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 +1102,11 @@ 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,
+                vcodec=cfg.dataset.vcodec,
+                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,
+                vcodec=cfg.dataset.vcodec,
+                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,
+        ),
+    )

src/lerobot/rollout/inference/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# 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.
+
+"""Inference engine package — backend-agnostic action production.
+
+Concrete backends (``sync``, ``rtc``, ...) expose the same small interface so
+rollout strategies never branch on which backend is in use.
+"""
+
+from .base import InferenceEngine
+from .factory import (
+    InferenceEngineConfig,
+    RTCInferenceConfig,
+    SyncInferenceConfig,
+    create_inference_engine,
+)
+from .rtc import RTCInferenceEngine
+from .sync import SyncInferenceEngine
+
+__all__ = [
+    "InferenceEngine",
+    "InferenceEngineConfig",
+    "RTCInferenceConfig",
+    "RTCInferenceEngine",
+    "SyncInferenceConfig",
+    "SyncInferenceEngine",
+    "create_inference_engine",
+]

src/lerobot/rollout/inference/base.py

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+# 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.
+
+"""Inference engine ABC.
+
+Rollout strategies consume actions through this small interface so they
+do not need to know whether inference happens inline on the control thread
+or asynchronously in a background thread (RTC).
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import abc
+
+import torch
+
+
+class InferenceEngine(abc.ABC):
+    """Abstract backend for producing actions during rollout.
+
+    Subclasses decide whether inference happens inline on the control
+    thread or asynchronously in a background thread.  The contract is
+    minimal so additional backends can be plugged in without touching
+    rollout strategies.
+
+    Lifecycle
+    ---------
+    ``start`` — prepare the backend (e.g. launch a background thread).
+    ``stop`` — shut the backend down cleanly.
+    ``reset`` — clear episode-scoped state (policy hidden state, queues…).
+
+    Action production
+    -----------------
+    ``get_action(obs_frame)`` — return the next action tensor, or
+    ``None`` if none is available (e.g. async queue empty).  Sync
+    backends always compute from ``obs_frame``; async backends ignore
+    it (they receive observations via ``notify_observation``).
+
+    Optional hooks
+    --------------
+    ``notify_observation`` / ``pause`` / ``resume`` have a no-op default
+    so rollout strategies can invoke them unconditionally.
+    """
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        """Initialise the backend."""
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def stop(self) -> None:
+        """Tear the backend down."""
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def reset(self) -> None:
+        """Clear episode-scoped state."""
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def get_action(self, obs_frame: dict | None) -> torch.Tensor | None:
+        """Return the next action tensor, or ``None`` if unavailable."""
+
+    def notify_observation(self, obs: dict) -> None:  # noqa: B027
+        """Publish the latest processed observation.  Default: no-op."""
+
+    def pause(self) -> None:  # noqa: B027
+        """Pause background inference.  Default: no-op."""
+
+    def resume(self) -> None:  # noqa: B027
+        """Resume background inference.  Default: no-op."""
+
+    @property
+    def ready(self) -> bool:
+        """True once the backend can produce actions (e.g. warmup done)."""
+        return True
+
+    @property
+    def failed(self) -> bool:
+        """True if an unrecoverable error occurred in the backend."""
+        return False

src/lerobot/rollout/inference/factory.py

@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+# 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.
+
+"""Inference engine configs and factory.
+
+Selection is explicit via ``--inference.type=sync|rtc``.  Adding a new
+backend requires registering its config subclass and dispatching it in
+:func:`create_inference_engine`.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import abc
+import logging
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from threading import Event
+
+import draccus
+
+from lerobot.policies.pretrained import PreTrainedPolicy
+from lerobot.policies.rtc.configuration_rtc import RTCConfig
+from lerobot.processor import PolicyProcessorPipeline
+
+from ..robot_wrapper import ThreadSafeRobot
+from .base import InferenceEngine
+from .rtc import RTCInferenceEngine
+from .sync import SyncInferenceEngine
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Configs
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@dataclass
+class InferenceEngineConfig(draccus.ChoiceRegistry, abc.ABC):
+    """Abstract base for inference backend configuration.
+
+    Use ``--inference.type=<name>`` on the CLI to select a backend.
+    """
+
+    @property
+    def type(self) -> str:
+        return self.get_choice_name(self.__class__)
+
+
+@InferenceEngineConfig.register_subclass("sync")
+@dataclass
+class SyncInferenceConfig(InferenceEngineConfig):
+    """Inline synchronous inference (one policy call per control tick)."""
+
+
+@InferenceEngineConfig.register_subclass("rtc")
+@dataclass
+class RTCInferenceConfig(InferenceEngineConfig):
+    """Real-Time Chunking: async policy inference in a background thread."""
+
+    # Eagerly constructed so draccus exposes nested fields directly on the CLI
+    # (e.g. ``--inference.rtc.execution_horizon=...``).
+    rtc: RTCConfig = field(default_factory=RTCConfig)
+    queue_threshold: int = 30
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Factory
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def create_inference_engine(
+    config: InferenceEngineConfig,
+    *,
+    policy: PreTrainedPolicy,
+    preprocessor: PolicyProcessorPipeline,
+    postprocessor: PolicyProcessorPipeline,
+    robot_wrapper: ThreadSafeRobot,
+    hw_features: dict,
+    dataset_features: dict,
+    ordered_action_keys: list[str],
+    task: str,
+    fps: float,
+    device: str | None,
+    use_torch_compile: bool = False,
+    compile_warmup_inferences: int = 2,
+    shutdown_event: Event | None = None,
+) -> InferenceEngine:
+    """Instantiate the appropriate inference engine from a config object."""
+    logger.info("Creating inference engine: %s", config.type)
+    if isinstance(config, SyncInferenceConfig):
+        return SyncInferenceEngine(
+            policy=policy,
+            preprocessor=preprocessor,
+            postprocessor=postprocessor,
+            dataset_features=dataset_features,
+            ordered_action_keys=ordered_action_keys,
+            task=task,
+            device=device,
+            robot_type=robot_wrapper.robot_type,
+        )
+    if isinstance(config, RTCInferenceConfig):
+        return RTCInferenceEngine(
+            policy=policy,
+            preprocessor=preprocessor,
+            postprocessor=postprocessor,
+            robot_wrapper=robot_wrapper,
+            rtc_config=config.rtc,
+            hw_features=hw_features,
+            task=task,
+            fps=fps,
+            device=device,
+            use_torch_compile=use_torch_compile,
+            compile_warmup_inferences=compile_warmup_inferences,
+            rtc_queue_threshold=config.queue_threshold,
+            shutdown_event=shutdown_event,
+        )
+    raise ValueError(f"Unknown inference engine type: {type(config).__name__}")

src/lerobot/rollout/inference/rtc.py

@@ -0,0 +1,360 @@
+# 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.
+
+"""Real-Time Chunking inference engine.
+
+A background thread produces action chunks asynchronously via
+:meth:`policy.predict_action_chunk`.  The main control loop polls
+``get_action`` for the next ready action; observations flow the other
+way via ``notify_observation``.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+import math
+import time
+import traceback
+from threading import Event, Lock, Thread
+from typing import Any
+
+import torch
+
+from lerobot.policies.pretrained import PreTrainedPolicy
+from lerobot.policies.rtc import ActionQueue, LatencyTracker, reanchor_relative_rtc_prefix
+from lerobot.policies.rtc.configuration_rtc import RTCConfig
+from lerobot.policies.utils import prepare_observation_for_inference
+from lerobot.processor import (
+    NormalizerProcessorStep,
+    PolicyProcessorPipeline,
+    RelativeActionsProcessorStep,
+)
+from lerobot.utils.feature_utils import build_dataset_frame
+
+from ..robot_wrapper import ThreadSafeRobot
+from .base import InferenceEngine
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+# How long the RTC loop sleeps when paused, idle, or backpressured by a full queue.
+_RTC_IDLE_SLEEP_S: float = 0.01
+# Backoff between transient inference errors (per consecutive failure).
+_RTC_ERROR_RETRY_DELAY_S: float = 0.5
+# Consecutive transient errors tolerated before giving up and propagating shutdown.
+_RTC_MAX_CONSECUTIVE_ERRORS: int = 10
+# Hard timeout for joining the RTC thread on stop().
+_RTC_JOIN_TIMEOUT_S: float = 3.0
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# RTC helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _normalize_prev_actions_length(prev_actions: torch.Tensor, target_steps: int) -> torch.Tensor:
+    """Pad or truncate RTC prefix actions to a fixed length for stable compiled inference."""
+    if prev_actions.ndim != 2:
+        raise ValueError(f"Expected 2D [T, A] tensor, got shape={tuple(prev_actions.shape)}")
+    steps, action_dim = prev_actions.shape
+    if steps == target_steps:
+        return prev_actions
+    if steps > target_steps:
+        return prev_actions[:target_steps]
+    padded = torch.zeros((target_steps, action_dim), dtype=prev_actions.dtype, device=prev_actions.device)
+    padded[:steps] = prev_actions
+    return padded
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# RTCInferenceEngine
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class RTCInferenceEngine(InferenceEngine):
+    """Async RTC inference: a background thread produces action chunks.
+
+    ``get_action`` pops the next action from the shared queue (or
+    returns ``None`` if the queue is empty).  The main loop should call
+    ``notify_observation`` every tick and ``pause``/``resume`` around
+    human-intervention phases.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        policy: PreTrainedPolicy,
+        preprocessor: PolicyProcessorPipeline,
+        postprocessor: PolicyProcessorPipeline,
+        robot_wrapper: ThreadSafeRobot,
+        rtc_config: RTCConfig,
+        hw_features: dict,
+        task: str,
+        fps: float,
+        device: str | None,
+        use_torch_compile: bool = False,
+        compile_warmup_inferences: int = 2,
+        rtc_queue_threshold: int = 30,
+        shutdown_event: Event | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        self._policy = policy
+        self._preprocessor = preprocessor
+        self._postprocessor = postprocessor
+        self._robot = robot_wrapper
+        self._rtc_config = rtc_config
+        self._hw_features = hw_features
+        self._task = task
+        self._fps = fps
+        self._device = device or "cpu"
+        self._use_torch_compile = use_torch_compile
+        self._compile_warmup_inferences = compile_warmup_inferences
+        self._rtc_queue_threshold = rtc_queue_threshold
+
+        self._action_queue: ActionQueue | None = None
+        self._obs_holder: dict[str, Any] = {}
+        self._obs_lock = Lock()
+        self._policy_active = Event()
+        self._compile_warmup_done = Event()
+        self._shutdown_event = Event()
+        self._rtc_error = Event()
+        self._global_shutdown_event = shutdown_event
+        self._rtc_thread: Thread | None = None
+
+        if not self._use_torch_compile:
+            self._compile_warmup_done.set()
+            logger.info("RTCInferenceEngine initialized (torch.compile disabled, no warmup needed)")
+        else:
+            logger.info(
+                "RTCInferenceEngine initialized (torch.compile enabled, %d warmup inferences)",
+                compile_warmup_inferences,
+            )
+
+        # Processor introspection for relative-action re-anchoring.
+        self._relative_step = next(
+            (s for s in preprocessor.steps if isinstance(s, RelativeActionsProcessorStep) and s.enabled),
+            None,
+        )
+        self._normalizer_step = next(
+            (s for s in preprocessor.steps if isinstance(s, NormalizerProcessorStep)),
+            None,
+        )
+        if self._relative_step is not None:
+            if self._relative_step.action_names is None:
+                cfg_names = getattr(policy.config, "action_feature_names", None)
+                if cfg_names:
+                    self._relative_step.action_names = list(cfg_names)
+                else:
+                    self._relative_step.action_names = [
+                        k for k in robot_wrapper.action_features if k.endswith(".pos")
+                    ]
+            logger.info("Relative actions enabled: RTC prefix will be re-anchored")
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Lifecycle
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @property
+    def ready(self) -> bool:
+        """True once torch.compile warmup is complete (or immediately if compile is disabled)."""
+        return self._compile_warmup_done.is_set()
+
+    @property
+    def failed(self) -> bool:
+        """True if the RTC background thread exited due to an unrecoverable error."""
+        return self._rtc_error.is_set()
+
+    @property
+    def action_queue(self) -> ActionQueue | None:
+        """The shared action queue between the RTC thread and the main loop."""
+        return self._action_queue
+
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        """Launch the RTC background thread."""
+        self._action_queue = ActionQueue(self._rtc_config)
+        self._obs_holder = {
+            "obs": None,
+            "robot_type": self._robot.robot_type,
+        }
+        self._shutdown_event.clear()
+        self._rtc_thread = Thread(
+            target=self._rtc_loop,
+            daemon=True,
+            name="RTCInference",
+        )
+        self._rtc_thread.start()
+        logger.info("RTC inference thread started")
+
+    def stop(self) -> None:
+        """Signal the RTC thread to stop and wait for it."""
+        logger.info("Stopping RTC inference thread...")
+        self._shutdown_event.set()
+        self._policy_active.clear()
+        if self._rtc_thread is not None and self._rtc_thread.is_alive():
+            self._rtc_thread.join(timeout=_RTC_JOIN_TIMEOUT_S)
+            if self._rtc_thread.is_alive():
+                logger.warning("RTC thread did not join within %.1fs", _RTC_JOIN_TIMEOUT_S)
+            else:
+                logger.info("RTC inference thread stopped")
+            self._rtc_thread = None
+
+    def pause(self) -> None:
+        """Pause the RTC background thread."""
+        logger.info("Pausing RTC inference thread")
+        self._policy_active.clear()
+
+    def resume(self) -> None:
+        """Resume the RTC background thread."""
+        logger.info("Resuming RTC inference thread")
+        self._policy_active.set()
+
+    def reset(self) -> None:
+        """Reset the policy, processors, and action queue."""
+        logger.info("Resetting RTC inference state (policy + processors + queue)")
+        self._policy.reset()
+        self._preprocessor.reset()
+        self._postprocessor.reset()
+        if self._action_queue is not None:
+            self._action_queue.clear()
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Action production (called from main thread)
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def get_action(self, obs_frame: dict | None) -> torch.Tensor | None:
+        """Pop the next action from the RTC queue (ignores ``obs_frame``)."""
+        if self._action_queue is None:
+            return None
+        return self._action_queue.get()
+
+    def notify_observation(self, obs: dict) -> None:
+        """Publish the latest observation for the RTC thread to consume."""
+        with self._obs_lock:
+            self._obs_holder["obs"] = obs
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # RTC: background inference thread
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _rtc_loop(self) -> None:
+        """Background thread that generates action chunks via RTC."""
+        try:
+            latency_tracker = LatencyTracker()
+            time_per_chunk = 1.0 / self._fps
+            policy_device = torch.device(self._device)
+
+            warmup_required = max(1, self._compile_warmup_inferences) if self._use_torch_compile else 0
+            inference_count = 0
+            consecutive_errors = 0
+
+            while not self._shutdown_event.is_set():
+                if not self._policy_active.is_set():
+                    time.sleep(_RTC_IDLE_SLEEP_S)
+                    continue
+
+                queue = self._action_queue
+                with self._obs_lock:
+                    obs = self._obs_holder.get("obs")
+                if queue is None or obs is None:
+                    time.sleep(_RTC_IDLE_SLEEP_S)
+                    continue
+
+                if queue.qsize() <= self._rtc_queue_threshold:
+                    try:
+                        current_time = time.perf_counter()
+                        idx_before = queue.get_action_index()
+                        prev_actions = queue.get_left_over()
+
+                        latency = latency_tracker.max()
+                        delay = math.ceil(latency / time_per_chunk) if latency else 0
+
+                        obs_batch = build_dataset_frame(self._hw_features, obs, prefix="observation")
+                        obs_batch = prepare_observation_for_inference(
+                            obs_batch, policy_device, self._task, self._robot.robot_type
+                        )
+                        obs_batch["task"] = [self._task]
+
+                        preprocessed = self._preprocessor(obs_batch)
+
+                        if prev_actions is not None and self._relative_step is not None:
+                            # Rebase against the raw cached state so the leftover tail stays in
+                            # the training-time coordinate frame.
+                            raw_state = self._relative_step.get_cached_state()
+                            if raw_state is not None:
+                                prev_abs = queue.get_processed_left_over()
+                                if prev_abs is not None and prev_abs.numel() > 0:
+                                    prev_actions = reanchor_relative_rtc_prefix(
+                                        prev_actions_absolute=prev_abs,
+                                        current_state=raw_state,
+                                        relative_step=self._relative_step,
+                                        normalizer_step=self._normalizer_step,
+                                        policy_device=policy_device,
+                                    )
+
+                        if prev_actions is not None:
+                            prev_actions = _normalize_prev_actions_length(
+                                prev_actions, target_steps=self._rtc_config.execution_horizon
+                            )
+
+                        actions = self._policy.predict_action_chunk(
+                            preprocessed, inference_delay=delay, prev_chunk_left_over=prev_actions
+                        )
+
+                        original = actions.squeeze(0).clone()
+                        processed = self._postprocessor(actions).squeeze(0)
+                        new_latency = time.perf_counter() - current_time
+                        new_delay = math.ceil(new_latency / time_per_chunk)
+
+                        inference_count += 1
+                        consecutive_errors = 0
+                        is_warmup = self._use_torch_compile and inference_count <= warmup_required
+                        if is_warmup:
+                            latency_tracker.reset()
+                        else:
+                            latency_tracker.add(new_latency)
+
+                        queue.merge(original, processed, new_delay, idx_before)
+
+                        if (
+                            is_warmup
+                            and inference_count >= warmup_required
+                            and not self._compile_warmup_done.is_set()
+                        ):
+                            self._compile_warmup_done.set()
+                            logger.info("Compile warmup complete (%d inferences)", inference_count)
+
+                        logger.debug("RTC inference latency=%.2fs, queue=%d", new_latency, queue.qsize())
+
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        consecutive_errors += 1
+                        logger.error(
+                            "RTC inference error (%d/%d): %s",
+                            consecutive_errors,
+                            _RTC_MAX_CONSECUTIVE_ERRORS,
+                            e,
+                        )
+                        logger.debug(traceback.format_exc())
+                        if consecutive_errors >= _RTC_MAX_CONSECUTIVE_ERRORS:
+                            # Persistent failure: stop retrying and propagate shutdown.
+                            raise
+                        time.sleep(_RTC_ERROR_RETRY_DELAY_S)
+                else:
+                    time.sleep(_RTC_IDLE_SLEEP_S)
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error("Fatal error in RTC thread: %s", e)
+            logger.error(traceback.format_exc())
+            self._rtc_error.set()
+            # Unblock any warmup waiters so the main loop doesn't spin forever
+            self._compile_warmup_done.set()
+            # Signal the top-level shutdown so strategies exit their control loops
+            if self._global_shutdown_event is not None:
+                self._global_shutdown_event.set()