Pollen Robotics: Microduck Home Robot, Pricing, and Alternatives

What Pollen Robotics Builds

Pollen Robotics creates AI-powered robots for home users who want interactive and customizable companions. The company's core product is the Microduck, a small biped robot that combines physical engagement, customizable behaviors, and character-driven interactions. Pollen Robotics uses open-source software, enabling users and developers to retrain and add new features to its robots. The business model centers on direct consumer sales, with robots marketed as playful companions rather than productivity assistants or household appliances. Purchasers pay for the robot itself, with pricing published and support handled directly. User customization is encouraged, as the open-source ecosystem allows for modifications, contributions, and even software-driven accessories. Hugging Face acquired Pollen Robotics in April 2025, and the robots are sold through the Hugging Face store rather than independently. The company does not appear to license its robots for commercial deployments or offer institutional versions at this time. The focus is on individual consumers and hobbyists seeking a fun, approachable experience with physical AI.

Who Pollen Robotics Is

Pollen Robotics was founded in 2016 in Bordeaux, France by Matthieu Lapeyre and Pierre Rouanet, both former roboticists at the French research institute Inria. That research background shows in what the company ships: one of its earliest projects was Poppy, an open-source 3D-printed humanoid built for labs and classrooms rather than for sale.

The company built the Reachy line before Microduck. Reachy 2 is the $70,000 research humanoid deployed at institutions including Cornell University and Carnegie Mellon University, and Reachy Mini is the consumer-scale desk robot that followed it. Microduck, announced on 27 August 2026, is the first of the line that walks.

Hugging Face acquired Pollen Robotics on 14 April 2025, bringing roughly 20 employees across, including both co-founders. Reporting at the time described it as Hugging Face’s largest acquisition by headcount. Deal terms were not disclosed, so any figure quoted elsewhere is an estimate rather than a published number.

The practical effect for a buyer is that Pollen Robotics designs the hardware and Hugging Face sells it through its own store, with the app ecosystem hosted on Hugging Face Spaces. Support and community run through the same channels as the rest of the open robotics stack.

Pollen Robotics Products and Models

These are the Pollen Robotics models a buyer is most likely to be evaluating, and what each one actually does.

• Microduck — Microduck is a bipedal, rollerskating robot companion for home users. Standing under 10 inches tall, it features a one-eyed design, articulated legs, neck, and head, and can zip around on small wheels. Video demos show it picking up light items, kicking a ball, following a laser pointer, and reacting to its environment. Microduck is equipped with a Rockchip RK3566 processor, camera, LiDAR, and motion sensors. Each robot has a unique generated singing voice and distinct audio identity from first use. The software is open-source, allowing user-driven retraining.

Pollen Robotics Pricing and Availability

Pollen Robotics lists the Microduck for preorder at a published price of $399, with several color options including cream, graphite, lavender, and sky blue. The company states shipments are planned to start before Christmas 2026, but as of now, Microduck is not yet in regular retail stock. Sales appear to be direct-to-consumer and global, but the company has not published precise regional delivery details or supported territories. There is no mention of leasing, monthly fees, or required subscriptions; the stated price is for outright purchase. Buyers should confirm shipping costs and taxes based on their location. For ongoing support, and to access user or developer communities, buyers should check Pollen Robotics' official resources and forums tied to its open-source software. Confirm current timelines and refund policies before ordering, as preorders carry a risk of delay.

Who Pollen Robotics Products Are For

Microduck is intended for home users looking for an interactive robot companion that focuses on play and engagement rather than productivity. The target audience includes hobbyists, families, children (with adult supervision), and anyone interested in customizing or programming a friendly home robot. Microduck suits buyers who want a character-driven device with open-source flexibility and minimal technical setup required to get started. Buyers expecting a functional household helper, advanced voice assistant features, or serious utility (like cleaning or complex manipulation) should look elsewhere. Those needing fully autonomous home robots for chores, security, or elderly care will not find those functions in Microduck. Instead, the product appeals to buyers who value personality, playfulness, and hands-on tinkering.

• Check if Microduck's open-source software matches your technical interest and comfort with tinkering, as user-driven retraining and customization are key features.
• Confirm available support channels, parts availability, and repair/service policies before purchase, especially as user-led hardware fixes may be part of ownership.
• Verify home safety certifications and age suitability, especially for families with small children, as Microduck is an interactive toy with moving parts.
• Assess training resources and online community support, as learning to teach new behaviors or manage open-source modules may require guidance.
• Check the battery life and expected duty cycle for your use case, since the company has not disclosed detailed run-time specifications.
• Consider total cost, including shipping, tax, and any accessories or spares you might need, since only the base price is public.
• Compare with other robots on companion features, hardware robustness, and software flexibility, especially if you have used home robots before.

Pollen Robotics Alternatives

Robots and vendors a buyer typically cross-shops against Pollen Robotics.

• Sony Aibo — Sony Aibo is a robotic dog companion with advanced sensors, lifelike movement, and a focus on emotional interaction. It is more established in the companion robot market, but costs significantly more.
• Embodied Moxie — Embodied Moxie is designed for children's social learning and features advanced conversation and expression. It focuses on education and emotional development, with stricter setup and usage guidelines.
• Loona by KEYi Tech — Loona is a rolling home robot with expressive face and gestures, aimed at playful engagement with users. It lacks articulated legs but offers similar customizability and developer options.
• Anki Vector (revived by Digital Dream Labs) — Anki Vector is a compact rolling robot for home users, offering voice interactions, simple tasks, and personality. Hardware is less physically expressive than Microduck but includes smart assistant features.

Recent news

A dated log of developments, each tied to its primary source.

• 2026-09 — Pollen Robotics' Microduck robot, now under Hugging Face ownership, has reportedly passed 10,000 orders and runs on Rockchip’s RK3566 chip rather than NVIDIA hardware, according to a Reddit post. There is no public indication from NVIDIA about changing Microduck’s hardware if its planned Hugging Face acquisition is finalized. Reddit r/robotics
• 2026-08 — Pollen Robotics, working with Hugging Face, launched Microduck, a one-eyed open-source biped roughly 25 cm tall and 780 g, on preorder at $399 in four colors with shipping planned before Christmas 2026. Microduck picks up small objects, skates, follows a laser pointer or game controller, sings with a voice generated uniquely per unit, and runs open-source software on a Rockchip RK3566 with a camera, motion sensors, and LiDAR. The Verge, IEEE Spectrum
• Monitor Microduck’s shipping timeline and real-world delivery to see if preorders arrive as stated.
• Check for third-party accessories, software additions, or community-driven skills that expand Microduck’s abilities.
• Watch for updates on regional support, warranty coverage, and repair logistics as Pollen Robotics scales operations.