GoKawiilHugging Face's Pollen Robotics unveils $399 Microduck robot for preorder
Pollen Robotics, the robotics arm behind Hugging Face's Reachy Mini, has revealed the Microduck, a small one-eyed biped robot under 10 inches tall. It costs $399, comes in four colors, and is expected to ship before Christmas 2026, with demos showing it rolling on skates, kicking balls, and picking up small objects.
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The Microduck extends Hugging Face's push into affordable, open-source consumer robotics, building on the momentum from Reachy Mini. By making the software hackable and giving each unit a unique persistent voice, Pollen Robotics is betting on hobbyist and developer communities to drive adoption of low-cost robotic companions rather than pure utility devices.
- Microduck is Pollen Robotics' second consumer robot after Reachy Mini, priced at $399.
- It features open-source software, LiDAR, motion sensors, and a Rockchip RK3566 processor.
- Preorders are open now, with shipping targeted before Christmas 2026.
8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller — Since the Microduck can be driven around with a game controller, a solid Bluetooth gamepad like the 8BitDo Ultimate is a natural companion. It pairs with all sorts of devices, so you can use it for robot wrangling now and PC or Switch gaming later. Comfortable enough for long sessions of steering a rollerskating duck around the living room.
See 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Stevie Bonifield, 2026-08-27
Published there as: “Hugging Face’s new robot is an adorable rollerskating duck”
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