The Hugging Face Microduck is now available to preorder, marking the second cute AI robot from the company’s Pollen Robotics division. The one-eyed biped stands just under 10 inches tall and can be reserved for around £315, with shipping expected to begin “before Christmas 2026.”
Buyers can choose from four colours: cream, graphite, lavender, and sky blue. The little robot follows on from the earlier Reachy Mini, sharing its open-source software approach that lets users retrain the machine to perform new tricks.
What the Microduck can do
Video demonstrations show the Microduck picking up socks and markers, kicking a ball around, and zipping about on tiny rollerskates. According to Pollen Robotics, the robot can also “react to its surroundings” and follow a laser pointer. Alternatively, owners can take direct command using a game controller.
The emphasis on playful behaviour extends to sound. The Microduck can sing, and each unit is given its own distinct audio identity. As Pollen Robotics describes it, the robot “communicates through weird little sounds, closer to a creature than an assistant.” That audio identity is assigned the first time the robot wakes up and is tied to the individual unit, so it keeps the same voice for life.
Hardware and specifications
Inside, the Microduck runs on a Rockchip RK3566 processor. Its sensor suite includes a camera, motion sensors, and LiDAR, allowing it to perceive and respond to its environment. The robot also features articulated legs, head, and neck, giving it the range of movement seen across the demonstration clips.
The combination of open-source software and expressive hardware positions the Microduck as a customisable companion rather than a conventional voice assistant. Preorders are open now, with the first units due to ship before Christmas 2026.
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Image: theverge.com
