Wired writer uses an OpenAI model to train a tiny robot duck as a cat helper

In short: A WIRED writer says an OpenAI model helped him train a small robot “Microduck” to waddle and act like a tiny helper for his cats.

The details

Will Knight, a senior writer at WIRED who covers artificial intelligence, described a personal project to build a “robot cat butler.” The idea is simple, even if the tech is not, he wants a small robot that can move around his home and help with basic cat-related chores.

In the story, Knight says an OpenAI model helped teach the Microduck how to waddle, meaning walk with short, careful steps like a duck. Think of it like using a very smart coach that suggests how the robot should move, then the robot practices until it can repeat the motion reliably.

The project also highlights a common approach in robotics today. People increasingly use AI models, which are computer programs trained on lots of examples, to help robots learn skills that used to require long, manual programming. In plain terms, instead of telling a robot every step like a detailed recipe, you can sometimes let it learn by trying, failing, and adjusting.

Why it matters

Home robots are still limited, and most can only do narrow tasks. Stories like this show how AI is being used to make small robots more capable, starting with simple movements and basic household routines. Over time, this could affect what consumer robots can realistically do, and how quickly hobbyists and small teams can build them.

Source: Wired