Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 27
Hugging Face Unveils $400 Microduck Robot as 2nd Open-Source AI Device
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 27

Hugging Face Unveils $400 Microduck Robot as 2nd Open-Source AI Device

3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 27

Summary

  • $400 Microduck, a one-eyed singing biped from Hugging Face, will go on sale later this year as the company’s second robot.
  • Beginner and advanced developers can teach it new tricks through reinforcement learning, simulation and open-source tools, using languages including Python and JavaScript.
  • Pollen Robotics, the Bordeaux startup Hugging Face acquired last year, helped develop the duck-like robot as part of its push to make AI and robotics more accessible.
  • Previous reports said the roughly $399 device is available for preorder, ships before Christmas 2026 and can waddle, roller skate and lift objects weighing up to 800 grams.

Insights

With shipping nearing, will Microduck's unique lifelong voice foster deep human attachment or just be a fleeting novelty?
Could this affordable open-source robot secretly be Hugging Face's Trojan horse to dominate the global AI robotics ecosystem?
How secure is a fully trainable, camera-equipped robot roaming your house if its open-source brain gets hacked?