Hugging Face Launches Microduck: Open-Source AI Robot Available for Preorder
Hardware Specifications and Capabilities of the Microduck
The Microduck runs on a Rockchip RK3566 processor and features a built-in camera, motion sensors, LiDAR, and articulated legs, head, and neck. TechCrunch notes that the robot also includes two IMUs, or inertial measurement units, to measure and report its movement. Video demonstrations cited by The Verge show the Microduck picking up socks and markers, kicking a ball, getting back up after falling, crouching, and zipping around on rollerskates.
Pollen Robotics designed the creature-like assistant to communicate through unique audio identities rather than standard synthesized speech. Each Microduck generates its own distinct sound the first time it wakes up, maintaining that same voice for life. Users can control the robot using a game controller, follow a laser pointer, or let it react autonomously to its surroundings, as reported by The Verge.
Open-Source Software and Reinforcement Learning
The Microduck operates on open-source software, allowing developers to retrain the hardware to learn new tricks. Clem Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, stated that the robot is an open-source machine you can teach new tricks with reinforcement learning. Delangue added, Welcome to the era of open-source affordable robots to democratize physical AI and world models!
TechCrunch reports that developers can train the Microduck’s behaviors directly in simulation before deploying them onto the robot. The software development kit, simulation environment, and full reinforcement learning training stack are accessible on GitHub, according to TechCrunch.
Pollen Robotics Integration and Pricing Strategy
Hugging Face acquired French startup Pollen Robotics in April 2025 to develop affordable open-source AI hardware. Following that acquisition, the companies launched the Reachy Mini desktop robot, which is currently sold in a $499 version powered by a Raspberry Pi and a $399 Reachy Mini Lite powered by a Mac or PC. The new Microduck expands that hardware lineup at a $399 price point and is offered in cream, graphite, lavender, and sky blue, according to The Verge.
Regarding privacy considerations for a camera-equipped device operating inside private spaces, Delangue previously told TechCrunch that systems powered by open-source models offer better auditability and control than black-box systems managed by a few organizations. However, TechCrunch notes that installing software applications on top of the model can still grant those applications access to cameras and microphones, potentially sending data to external services depending on their implementation.