Pollen Robotics opened preorders for the device at $399, offering colorways in cream, graphite, lavender, and sky blue. The company expects to begin shipping units before Christmas 2026. Despite its diminutive frame, the robot packs a Rockchip RK3566 processor, a camera, LiDAR, and motion sensors, allowing it to track laser pointers or respond to environmental stimuli. Users can also take manual control via a standard game controller.
Pollen Robotics unveils Microduck, an open-source AI companion
Standing less than ten inches tall, the new Microduck robot from Hugging Face’s Pollen Robotics balances on tiny rollerskates while navigating domestic spaces. The bipedal machine, which features a single cyclopean eye and a distinct audio identity, aims to bridge the gap between functional household assistant and expressive robotic pet.
The hardware distinguishes itself through personality rather than utility. Each unit generates a unique vocal identity upon its first activation, producing creature-like sounds that remain consistent for the robot’s lifespan. Because the software remains open-source, owners can modify the code to teach the biped new behaviors, mirroring the community-driven approach established by the previous Reachy Mini project.
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