Hugging Face Launches a $399 Robot in the Shape of a Duck
The open-source app-building platform Hugging Face has launched another small robot, this time shaped like a duck. Called Microduck, the gadget costs $399 and is expected to ship before Christmas 2026.
Pollen Robotics, a French robotics company Hugging Face acquired in 2025, announced the open-source bot on Thursday. Designed for physical development projects, it comes in Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and Sky colorways and can hang out on your desk or do “tricks” on the floor.
Microduck is 25 centimeters (approximately 9.8 inches) tall and weighs just under 800 g (about 1.8 pounds). It contains 15 motors that let it walk, sit, crouch, and stand back up on its own after it falls. It uses a camera, a small LiDAR sensor, and two IMUs to sense its surroundings and maintain its balance. These help it pick up small objects, follow a laser pointer, and react to users’ movements. It can even “roller-skate” using optional wheels.
The bot offers Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and contains a microphone and speaker for audio-based projects. With its 2,600mAh battery, it only lasts about an hour on a single charge.
Preorders opened on August 27 and surpassed $2.6 million within the first 24 hours, Hugging Face cofounder Thomas Wolf shared Friday. The first shipment will go to North America and Europe, including the UK.
