Story perspectives

NVIDIA’s $12.9B Pollen Robotics Deal Spurs Microduck Launch

8/28/2026

Summary

Pollen Robotics Launches

Pollen Robotics announced the Microduck, a 25 cm, 800-gram biped robot.
The Microduck will sell for $399 and ships before Christmas.
The robot runs on fully open-source software and supports reinforcement-learning training in simulation.
Representative Santiago Pavón said the robot can lift roughly 100 grams.
NVIDIA acquired Pollen Robotics for US$12.9 billion, prompting the Microduck release.

Summary

Delangue Warns

Clem Delangue, Hugging Face CEO, warned that open-source robots could be safer than black-box systems run by unstable CEOs.
He said open-source models enable auditability but cannot guarantee privacy when third-party apps use cameras or microphones.
Delangue noted the Microduck’s camera and lidar raise surveillance concerns in private spaces.
Nvidia, partnered with Hugging Face since 2023, may acquire the company for $13 billion, separate from its Pollen Robotics purchase.

History

Historical Context

In May 1997, IBM’s upgraded “Deeper Blue” beat world champion Garry Kasparov 3½–2½ in New York, the first computer defeat of a reigning chess champion and earning a $700,000 prize. Today, firms like NVIDIA and Hugging Face pair high-performance hardware with open-source robotics software, echoing Deep Blue’s blend of specialized processing and collaborative development.

1 of 3

Pollen Robotics Launches

Pollen Robotics announced the Microduck, a 25 cm, 800-gram biped robot.
The Microduck will sell for $399 and ships before Christmas.
The robot runs on fully open-source software and supports reinforcement-learning training in simulation.
Representative Santiago Pavón said the robot can lift roughly 100 grams.
NVIDIA acquired Pollen Robotics for US$12.9 billion, prompting the Microduck release.

1 / 3