Hugging Face Scores Huge Demand with Open-Source Microduck
Hugging Face and its Pollen Robotics team have opened pre-orders for Microduck, a compact $399 bipedal robot designed to lower the barrier of entry for physical AI development. The hardware achieved over $2.6 million in pre-orders within its first 24 hours of availability, extending delivery estimates to four to six months.
Equipped with 15 actuators, LiDAR, an onboard camera, dual motion sensors, microphones, and a speaker, the Microduck comes pre-programmed with several core behaviors, including self-righting after falling and carrying small items in its beak. Hugging Face has released its full simulation framework, reinforcement-learning models, and SDK under the Apache 2.0 license, letting researchers and developers build and modify autonomous behaviors at a fraction of traditional hardware costs.
ICE Plans $2M Investment in Boston Dynamics Spot Units
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is preparing to purchase up to $2 million worth of Boston Dynamics Spot quadruped robots. According to procurement forecasts from the Department of Homeland Security, the four-legged units will assist in reconnaissance, remote inspections, and evaluating hazardous environments.
Configured for emergency and security operations, these units typically carry robotic manipulators, thermal imaging systems, and optical sensors, offering around 90 minutes of runtime per charge to operate in spaces too dangerous for personnel.
Meta Pilots Automation Inside Server Facilities
Meta has begun deploying various robotic systems across its data centers to streamline routine maintenance tasks. At its facility in Altoona, Iowa, Meta is evaluating dual-armed robots from startup Watney to assist with server cabling, alongside robotic arms from Kinova and mobile platforms from ABB for component reseating and power cycles.
While human supervision remains necessary and automated systems are still slower than experienced technicians, Meta aims to automate repetitive operational tasks as the company continues to scale its AI compute infrastructure.
Foster + Partners Explores Top-Down Autonomous Construction
Architecture firm Foster + Partners has joined the European research initiative SWIFT-BUILD, backed by nearly €4 million from the European Innovation Council. The initiative develops coordinated robotic swarms to erect multi-story timber buildings from the top down.
Under this approach, robots assemble complete floors at ground level before hydraulic lifters elevate the structure, allowing workers and machines to build subsequent stories beneath without high-altitude scaffolding. Aerial drones oversee alignment and site coordination throughout the build cycle.
Other Notable Robotics Developments
- Autonomous Weapons Debate: The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross are urging binding international rules against lethal autonomous weapons systems.
- Humanoid Progress: Startups and international competitions continue to demonstrate improved agility and lower hardware costs across next-generation bipedal platforms.
- Autonomous Transit: Robotaxi operators including Waymo, Tesla, and Avride are expanding testing territories and operational zones across major metropolitan markets.