Open Source Robotics Reality: Microduck Clones Predicted by 2027
deliprao · x · 2026-08-31
Citing the demand proven by Pollen's Microduck, Delip Rao predicts that Chinese manufacturers will ramp up production of knockoff microducks that "work" with official software. The prediction gives it >50% odds before Christmas 2026, and almost certainty in early 2027 when the quotes around "work" will drop. This highlights the harsh reality of cloning in open source hardware.
Microduck Hardware Specs:
- Actuators: 15 × Dynamixel XL330 servos
- Compute: Radxa ZERO 3W (Rockchip RK3566)
- Memory: 1 GB RAM + 32 GB storage
- Sensing: Dual 6-axis IMU, 8x8 ToF LiDAR, Forward wide-angle camera
- Other: 2× NFC antennas, NP-F550 battery, 50 Hz control loop
More from Companies & People
- Tinyfool sparks debate over whether Tesla Roadster 2 counts as 'useless' innovation — tinyfool · 2026-10-16
- Tinyfool: does Xiaomi's foldable released days before iPhone count as innovation? — tinyfool · 2026-10-16
- US universities go on an AI philosopher hiring spree as philosophy departments add tenure-track AI roles — AnnaCiaunica · 2026-10-16
- NVIDIA and Mercedes-Benz Expand Partnership on Next-Gen Automated Driving — nvidia · 2026-10-16
- Ex-Amazon Engineer: AI Has Killed Bezos's Six-Page Memo Culture — bibryam · 2026-10-16
- DHH's Omarchy Shenzhen Meetup Draws 400+ With Demos on Xiaomi, ARM and iPhone Ports — LoganGrasby · 2026-10-16