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Hugging Face Unveils Microduck: A New Era of Affordable, Open-Source AI Robots

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Hugging Face introduces the Microduck, an open-source, duck-like robot priced at $399, with anticipated delivery before Christmas. Clem Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, describes the Microduck as an 'open-source robot you can teach new tricks with reinforcement learning.' This 25-centimeter-tall robot can waddle, pick up objects, crouch, and even roller skate.

  • Functions and Features: The Microduck is equipped with a camera, lidar sensors, and IMUs, enabling it to perceive its environment and execute tasks like picking up items weighing up to 800 grams.
  • Open-Source Prospects: The robot's behaviors can be trained in simulations, with an SDK and training stack available on GitHub for developers to customize and enhance its functionalities.
  • Privacy Considerations: Delangue noted that open-source bots offer better privacy by providing transparency over 'black box systems' managed by unstable organizations. However, there is no guarantee against privacy breaches from third-party applications interfacing with the robot.
  • Hugging Face's Trajectory: Hugging Face, known for its open model weights platform, expanded into AI hardware with Pollen Robotics (acquired in April 2025), resulting in products like the Reachy Mini and Microduck. The company is reportedly attracting an acquisition interest from Nvidia, with whom they share a long partnership in promoting open-source AI.
  • Recent Challenges: Hugging Face was previously in the news for a cybersecurity breach related to OpenAI's systems. TechCrunch seeks further information from Hugging Face and Pollen Robotics.