Robotis signs a joint-drive supply agreement for MicroDuck
Robotis and Pollen Robotics signed an agreement to secure joint-drive components for MicroDuck, a small duck-shaped walking robot. Pollen Robotics reports initial demand for 50,000 robots, corresponding to about 750,000 actuators. Existing Robotis production is already at capacity, and the manufacturer expects to accommodate additional orders more fully next year.
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The partners arrange parts for the walking robot
South Korean robot-component manufacturer Robotis and French robot developer Pollen Robotics signed a supply agreement for MicroDuck on October 26. The ceremony took place at Robotis headquarters in Seoul, South Korea’s capital. The agreement is intended to secure a steady supply of the small drive units that move the duck-shaped bipedal robot’s joints. Robotis supplies the components, while Pollen Robotics leads the robot’s planning and development.[1], [2]
Pollen Robotics reported demand for 50,000 MicroDucks, corresponding to approximately 750,000 actuators. The company introduced the robot in August. Its chief executive said a demonstration by NVIDIA, the AI-chip designer, brought an additional 15,000 orders. Demand above the company’s expectations delayed deliveries, with the first shipments planned around December.[1], [2]
Fifteen drive units move each MicroDuck
Each robot uses 15 Dynamixel XL330 actuators made by Robotis. These units move its joints, fitting multiple drive components into a small body. Pollen Robotics had already used Dynamixel components in Reachy Mini, its small desktop robot, and cited that experience when describing the partnership. Robotis says the cooperation also includes exchanges of mechanical knowledge during development, and it is exploring supplying components beyond actuators.[1], [2]
Pollen Robotics says MicroDuck was originally developed for reinforcement learning, a way of training systems through the results of their actions. Its chief executive said some people now see the robot as a companion. Robotis, whose component customers have mainly been businesses, also wants the project to make its parts’ role in a recognizable robot more widely known.[2]
Full production lines constrain additional orders
Robotis reports annual capacity of 500,000 actuators at its Magok facility and says production is already running at full capacity. Chief executive Kim Byeong-soo expects the company could accommodate additional orders more fully from the second quarter of next year. The company says existing orders need adjustment, and the new agreement will be difficult to reflect in this year’s revenue.[1], [2]
Pollen Robotics separately set a goal of selling 100,000 MicroDucks this year. Reaching that target would require 1,500,000 actuators at 15 per robot. That figure is a component requirement conditional on the sales goal, rather than the volume of completed deliveries. Robotis is preparing more production capacity, including a facility under construction in Uzbekistan that it plans to bring into full operation next year.[1], [2]
