Some demonstrations use accessories beyond the standard Microduck package.
Microduck is a small walking robot for people who want to play with movement and eventually change how it works. Pollen supplies a controller and ready-made behaviors, so the first activity need not be writing code. Its duck-like appearance should not be mistaken for a preschool toy: Pollen recommends its development platforms for ages 16 and over.314
Start with the experience you actually want. Would steering a little robot and trying its supplied movements be enough, or would you enjoy teaching it a different gait? Microduck supports both starting points. Pollen says the supplied behaviors work with a gamepad, while its software lets developers train behaviors in a simulated world and transfer them to the robot.3
The maker shows walking, sitting, standing, kicking, using the articulated beak and getting upright after a fall. Roller skating requires the skates. These examples explain its appeal as a moving character, but they are manufacturer-described behaviors, not a promise that it will recover from every fall or work on every household surface.1
Microduck makes creature-like sounds rather than speaking words. If your idea of a companion is something to ask questions and talk with, that distinction matters more than the cute shape. Its main attraction is watching and changing physical behavior.3
Pollen identifies Microduck as a development and experimentation platform, not a children's product. An adult choosing a family project should therefore start with the maker's age guidance and operating instructions. A useful question is who wants to manage the robot and any later software experiments, rather than simply who likes the duck.43
The official store describes an introductory US$399 preorder before taxes and shipping. Pollen targets first deliveries before Christmas 2026, with no guaranteed date. Its launch list includes the US, Canada, EU, UK, Norway, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea. Confirm the destination and dispatch estimate before planning a time-sensitive gift.24
For a first project, choose one concrete activity, such as steering the robot or experimenting with a new movement. Then check whether it uses the supplied equipment or needs an accessory, a computer or additional training resources. Buying the robot and undertaking a coding project are different commitments, even when the same machine supports both.13
Product identity, supplied contents and movement examples. The product page lists 800 g, while the store lists 780 g; weight remains unresolved.
Evidence checked: 2026-10-27
Official store linked from Pollen's product page. The price is an advertised preorder amount, with destination costs and delivery to be checked separately.
Evidence checked: 2026-10-27
Pollen's August 27, 2026 launch explanation distinguishes supplied behaviors, development work and nonverbal sounds.
Evidence checked: 2026-10-27
Current store terms supply age guidance, assembled delivery and estimated timing. This page does not assess product safety or promise arrival.
Evidence checked: 2026-10-27
