Hugging Face Unveils Microduck Robot to Democratize Affordable Open-Source AI Hardware
Hugging Face, through its subsidiary Pollen Robotics, launched the Microduck, a 25-centimeter-tall robot duck designed to make physical AI more accessible. The robot, priced at $399, features an open-source software stack that allows developers to train new behaviors using reinforcement learning in a physics simulator. Clem Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, highlighted the robot's ability to perform tasks such as waddling, picking up small objects with its beak, and recovering from falls. The Microduck is equipped with a camera, lidar sensors, and motion sensors to perceive its environment. Despite its small size, the user community has shown significant interest, with orders exceeding $2.6 million within the first 24 hours of its release. The launch occurs as Hugging Face faces a potential $13 billion acquisition by Nvidia. The deal would solidify Nvidia's commitment to open-source AI models, which both companies have championed. While the Microduck is not a full-scale home butler, it serves as a versatile testbed for robotics enthusiasts to experiment with machine learning and hardware AI.