At the rate at which artificial intelligence is improving, advancements in robotics are sure to follow. In fact, leading names in the tech industry are already developing various commercial models to streamline household chores, provide companionship, assist in learning, and more. This is the Microduck — an “open-source” biped platform you can mess around with and learn from at the same time.
Although it looks like a glorified toy, each unit is a versatile system that encourages creativity from a software standpoint. No need to build the hardware from the ground up, as Pollen Robotics supplies one that’s ready for action out of the box. As its name suggests, its form factor resembles a familiar farm fowl.
Moreover, the Mircroduck arrives in four cool colorways at launch, which gives it a whimsical appeal. These shades are Graphite, Sky, Lavender, and Cream. We can safely say more hues will follow in the future. It may look odd and funny, but the range of movement users can tinker around with is fascinating.
Some of the basic actions it can do include walking, kicking objects, grabbing items, sitting, standing, and recovering from a fall. Attach skates to the feet and watch it zoom around like a pro. The system relies on a camera with a LiDAR system, two IMUs, and 15 motors. It stands approximately 9.85 inches tall.
“Microduck starts from the other side of physical AI: action. How do you teach a robot to move?” The manufacturer then adds: “It is an ideal platform for developers who want to train physical behaviors, experiment with reinforcement learning, and test how AI moves from simulation into the real world.”
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Images courtesy of Pollen Robotics
