dts) on a Linux or macOS laptop builds and deploys Docker containers to the robot over Wi-Fi and streams its camera.Overview
The robot behind MIT's Duckietown autonomy class, now used in hundreds of universities. It is a small self-driving car that navigates a miniature city of lanes and rubber ducks. The software stack and course materials are the draw. The latest DB26-J moves to Jetson Orin Nano, a real upgrade over the older Nano.
- Type
- Wheeled robot · Ready-made dev rovers
- Maker
- Duckietown (MIT origin, Duckietown Inc., USA/Switzerland)
- Released
- 2016
- Price
- $429 – $1,799
- Status
- Available
- Best for
- Ages 14+
- Programming
- Open source (hardware + software)
Price and shipping
$429+ for DB21J-class kits. The Jetson Orin Nano DB26-J runs $749 (no Jetson) to $1,799 assembled (get.duckietown.com, September 2026).
Shipping: Days–weeks. Ordered from the Duckietown store. DIY and assembled options have different lead times.
Specifications
| Category | Wheeled rovers · Ready-made dev rovers |
|---|---|
| Released | 2016 |
| Country | USA, Switzerland |
| Availability | Available |
| Sales | 114 Kickstarter backers (2018, estimate) Kicktraq ↗ |
| Programmability | Open source (hardware + software) |
| Built-in autonomy | Reactive · Responds to its surroundings without a map, such as avoiding obstacles or following a person |
| LLM support | Possible via SDK · ROS-based Docker stack, no built-in or official LLM tooling. |
| MuJoCo simulation | Community model · A third-party Isaac Lab lane-following project also verifies its policy in MuJoCo. Issac_based_Duckiebot ↗ |
| NVIDIA Isaac simulation | Community model · Third-party Isaac Lab/Isaac Sim lane-following project with a DB21 model. Issac_based_Duckiebot ↗ |
| Gazebo simulation | Official model · Duckietown's duckietown-sim-server has a Gazebo Duckiebot model. Legacy (ROS Kinetic, Gazebo 7). duckietown-sim-server ↗ |
| Best for | Ages 14+ (estimated) |
| Vision sensors | Camera |
| Actuators | DC / gear motors |
| Audio | No audio |
| Compute type | NVIDIA Jetson |
| Remote control | Via SSH / web / bridge |
| Size | ~18×13×20 cm (est.) |
| Drive | 2-wheel differential with caster |
| Compute | NVIDIA Jetson Nano (DB21J) or Jetson Orin Nano Super (DB26-J) |
| Vision | Front fisheye camera |
| Lidar | None |
| Sensors | Time-of-flight sensor, IMU, wheel encoders, LEDs |
| Runtime | Several hours (est.) |
| Speed | Not published |
| SDK | Duckietown software stack (ROS-based, Docker), simulator and digital twin, MOOC materials |
Common questions
How much does Duckiebot cost?
Duckiebot is listed at $429 – $1,799. $429+ for DB21J-class kits. The Jetson Orin Nano DB26-J runs $749 (no Jetson) to $1,799 assembled (get.duckietown.com, September 2026).
Can Duckiebot be bought today?
Yes, it is on sale. Ordered from the Duckietown store. DIY and assembled options have different lead times.
Who makes Duckiebot?
Duckiebot is made by Duckietown (MIT origin, Duckietown Inc., USA/Switzerland). It came out in 2016.
Can Duckiebot be programmed?
Open source (hardware + software). Duckietown software stack (ROS-based, Docker), simulator and digital twin, MOOC materials.
Does Duckiebot have AI chat or LLM support?
Possible via SDK. ROS-based Docker stack, no built-in or official LLM tooling.
What age is Duckiebot for?
Ages 14+ (estimated).
Ratings & reviews
Ratings and reviews load on the live site.
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