{
  "id": 3917298,
  "title": "Meet Microduck, Hugging Face’s new open-source AI robot that can learn new tricks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/meet-microduck-hugging-faces-new-open-source-ai-robot-that-can-learn",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-28T07:12:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/microduck-hugging-face-open-source-biped-robot-10853138/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the robot Olympics concluded in Beijing, China, the internet buzzed with videos of humanoid robots performing various feats. Hugging Face, known for its platform that enables open-source AI, unveiled Microduck, a new open-source AI robot that stands out in a different way. Unlike its counterparts, Microduck is a small, 25 centimeter tall robot that resembles a duck and sells for $399. This pint-sized robot can perform a range of tasks, including walking, sitting, standing, kicking, picking up objects with its beak, roller-skating, and even getting back up if it falls over. Microduck comes equipped with over 15 motors, a camera, lidar sensors, and two IMUs (inertial measurement units) for interaction with its environment. The robot is also open-source, meaning that customers can teach it new tricks using reinforcement learning. This aligns with Hugging Face's mission of providing open-source AI models on their platform. The robot is expected to be available for pre-order starting August 27, 2026, with various color options available.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ITP.net",
        "title": "NVIDIA to Reportedly Acquire Open-Source AI Platform Hugging Face for $12.9bn",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/nvidia-to-reportedly-acquire-open-source-ai-platform-hugging-face-for",
        "published": "2026-08-27T07:48:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Fortune",
        "title": "Nvidia agrees to buy Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/nvidia-agrees-to-buy-hugging-face-for-12-9-billion-reports",
        "published": "2026-08-27T11:05:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Quartz",
        "title": "Nvidia is reportedly agreeing to buy open-source AI hub Hugging Face for $12.9 billion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/nvidia-is-reportedly-agreeing-to-buy-open-source-ai-hub-hugging-face",
        "published": "2026-08-27T11:20:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechCrunch",
        "title": "Hugging Face is selling a cute $399 open-source duck robot, Microduck",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/hugging-face-is-selling-a-cute-399-open-source-duck-robot-microduck",
        "published": "2026-08-27T14:56:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Register Science",
        "title": "Hugging Face offers $399 robot duck to help you quack the AI code",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/hugging-face-offers-399-robot-duck-to-help-you-quack-the-ai-code",
        "published": "2026-08-27T16:25:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mashable",
        "title": "Hugging Face launches Microduck, a $399 open-source robot duck",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/hugging-face-launches-microduck-a-399-open-source-robot-duck",
        "published": "2026-08-27T17:11:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SiliconANGLE",
        "title": "Nvidia reportedly acquires AI project hosting platform Hugging Face for $12.9B",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/nvidia-reportedly-acquires-ai-project-hosting-platform-hugging-face",
        "published": "2026-08-27T20:14:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}