Remember Beni, the cute camera robot that follows you around like a tiny wheeled paparazzo? Pollen Robotics and Hugging Face have arrived with another adorable mobile machine, although this one would rather learn tricks than document your questionable life choices.
Meet Microduck, a 25 cm (9.8-inch) tall biped robot weighing under 800 g (1.8 lbs). It has 15 motors, a camera, a depth sensor, two IMUs, microphones, a speaker, and an articulated beak capable of picking up small objects.
Out of the box, Microduck can walk, sit, crouch, follow a laser pointer, recover from common falls, and make peculiar creature noises. Add the optional rollers, and it can skate around your home looking like it has urgent duck business elsewhere.
Unlike Beni, Microduck is not designed primarily for filming. It is an open-source robotics platform that lets developers train new movements in simulation before transferring them to the physical robot. In less technical terms, you can teach it new tricks without repeatedly launching a US$399 duck into the furniture.
Microduck is available to pre-order in Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and Sky for US$399 before taxes and shipping. First deliveries are targeted for before Christmas 2026. The US$39 accessory pack adds rollers, a ball, a laser pointer, and NFC goodies—everything required to turn your desk into an extremely small robotic circus.
Images: Pollen Robotics.