Pollen Robotics has opened pre-orders for Microduck, a 25 cm open-source biped robot priced at $399 before taxes and shipping. The pre-orders began on August 27, 2026, with units expected to ship before Christmas 2026. Microduck is designed to be playable out of the box and can be trained using reinforcement learning techniques.
Microduck is a tiny biped robot that users can teach new tricks through reinforcement learning, making it a hands-on educational tool. The robot is open source, allowing developers and hobbyists to customize and expand its capabilities. Pollen Robotics has also released a simulator and a press kit to support users in exploring Microduck’s features. The company’s collaboration with Hugging Face highlights the integration of AI and robotics in this product.
The launch of Microduck comes amid growing interest in accessible robotics platforms that combine physical interaction with AI training. Compared to other educational robots, Microduck’s open-source nature and reinforcement learning focus position it as a versatile device for both beginners and advanced users. This move aligns with broader trends in AI and robotics democratization, where affordable, programmable robots are increasingly used for learning and experimentation.
Pre-orders for Microduck are available now through Pollen Robotics’ online store, with shipping scheduled before the end of 2026. The company has also provided a simulator on Hugging Face’s platform to enable users to experiment with the robot virtually ahead of delivery.