Duckietown for independent learners
Duckietown software is free for personal and non-commercial use. Learn robotics and AI using the same tools used in universities and research labs. No hardware required to get started.
Duckietown for independent learners
We provide full access to our robotics software, learning experiences, and community support at no cost for independent learners using the platform for personal and non-commercial purposes.
All that is required to begin is a computer and an internet connection.
Duckietown robot kits are optional and available separately through the Duckietown store. Working with hardware is recommended to maximize learning.
If you are an instructor, check out the academic plans for students and instructors.
If you are a researcher, check out the research and enterprise plans.
Software
Free for personal and non-commercial use-
Duckietown Shell (CLI)
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Duckietown desktop applications (GUI)
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Duckiematrix robotics simulator
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Virtual robots
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Self-Driving Cars with Duckietown online course
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Duckietown library
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Community support channels
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Cross-platform support (Win, macOS, Ubuntu)
Hardware
Robot and kits available worldwide-
Powered by Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson
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Browser-based robotics dashboard
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Fully open software platform
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Modular hardware system that grows with you
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Self-driving cars
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Smart-city robotics environment
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Autonomous quadcopter drones
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6-month hardware warranty
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30-day return policy
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Worldwide shipping
Who is the Duckietown independent learner plan for?
Included uses
The Independent Learner plan is intended for personal, self-directed learning.
Examples include:
- enrolling in the Self-Driving Cars with Duckietown online course for personal interest
- experimenting with robotics and AI at home
- building personal projects
- learning robotics skills independently
Not included
The Independent Learner plan does not cover institutional or commercial use.
Examples include:
- use within a school or university course
- academic teaching or laboratory activities
- research projects conducted by an organization
- commercial or company use
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. Is Duckietown really free?
Yes.
Duckietown software is free for personal and non-commercial use under the Independent Learner plan.
No payment or credit card is required to create an account.
Q. Do I need to buy a robot to start?
No.
Duckietown software can be used without hardware, using simulation and virtual robots (check the Duckiematrix documentation).
Of course, the nuisances of robotics are best experienced through hands-on work with hardware, but this is optional and can be added later.
Q. What counts as personal and non-commercial use?
Personal use means learning or experimenting independently.
Examples include:
- taking the Self-Driving Cars with Duckietown course
- building robotics projects at home
- learning robotics skills independently
Q. When do I need a paid license?
You need a paid license if Duckietown is used in:
- a school or university course
- an academic research lab
- a company or commercial environment
- an organized training program
Q. How do I get access to Duckietown software?
Create a Duckietown account and select the Independent Learner plan.
Access is activated immediately after account creation. You can create an account through the Duckietown Hub signup page.
Q. Can I upgrade my plan later?
Yes.
You can upgrade to an academic or professional license at any time if your use changes.
Q. What kind of computer do I need?
A mid-tier commercial laptop is sufficient to work with Duckietown. More detailed specifications are provided on the Duckietown Documentation – Your Computer page.
Q. What kind of internet connection do I need to learn with Duckietown?
A non-metered broadband internet connection. You will have to download tens of gigabytes of data (learning experiences, software updates, etc.).
Q. Do I need programming experience?
Some experience in any programming language will be helpful.
Duckietown provides guided learning experiences for beginners as well as advanced robotics tools for experienced users.
Q. What is the Duckietown Independent Learner plan?
The Independent Learner plan provides free access to Duckietown robotics software for personal and non-commercial use.
Beginner
experience
Try out Duckietown in simulation
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Duckietown Shell
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Terminal UI
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Duckietown Simulator
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Massive open online course (simulation track)
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Assignment Evaluations
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Duckietown Library
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Community of learners
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Q&A knowledge base
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Community-based support
Roboticist
experience
Learn with a real Duckie-robot
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Same as Beginner experience
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Massive open online course
(sim and hw tracks) -
Powered by Raspberry Pi and NVIDA Jetson Nano
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Browser-based Dashboard
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Open software (white box)
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Modularity: grow setup as you learn
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Self-Driving Cars (Duckiebots)
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Smart-city (Duckietown)
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Quadcopters (Duckiedrones)
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6 month hardware warranty
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30 days return no questions
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Worldwide shipping