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A Duck with Artificial Intelligence: What Can B.Duck NAVI Do?
Mint Incorporation Limited (NASDAQ: MIMI) announced on May 28, 2026 the formation of a joint venture Rice Robotics AGI Holding Limited, into which it invested approximately 15 million Hong Kong dollars (roughly 45 million Czech koruna). The goal is clear — to get AI robots out of factories and offices and into homes.
The first product of the new joint venture is the robot B.Duck NAVI. Its name references the English word "navigation" and hints at its key capability — autonomous walking. The robot can move around a room on its own, which sets it apart from common tabletop assistants like Amazon Alexa.
Beyond mobility, it integrates AI-driven emotional interaction, voice control, intelligent learning, and everyday life assistance. According to the press release, the robot is designed as an "intelligent everyday companion for families" — it can recognize emotions, hold conversations, and gradually adapt to its owners' preferences.
B.Duck — An Icon That Opens Doors to Consumers
The project's key trump card is its partnership with B.Duck Semk Holdings International Limited (HKEX: 2250), which owns the rights to the B.Duck character — a yellow duck that has been a cult phenomenon in Hong Kong and across Asia for more than two decades. B.Duck appears on clothing, school supplies, toys, and now for the first time comes to life as a physical AI robot.
"By combining the proven B.Duck brand with the autonomous navigation and emotional AI technology of Rice Robotics AGI, we are creating something truly new — an AI companion that families will welcome into their homes not as a device, but as a friend," said Ha Lam Hui, Chairman of the Board of B.Duck Semk.
According to the company, leveraging a well-known and beloved character is meant to lower the barrier to adoption — parents and children are more willing to accept a robot that looks like their favorite duck than an anonymous technological assistant. It's a deliberate strategy that combines licensing of popular IP with robotics.
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This is not Mint's first experience with robotics. The company previously partnered with Rice Robotics to deliver the first FLOKI Minibot M1 robot, which was aimed at commercial clientele — shopping malls, office buildings, government agencies.
"After successfully delivering the FLOKI Minibot M1 prototype, we recognized the enormous potential of AI companions," said Damian Chan, Chairman and CEO of Mint. "B.Duck NAVI is the first tangible result of our strategy to expand from the commercial sector to everyday consumers."
Rice Robotics AGI represents a transition from a business-to-business model to business-to-consumer. While FLOKI Minibot M1 targeted companies, B.Duck NAVI aims at homes — specifically the market of parents with children and younger consumers looking for an emotional companion with technological added value.
Las Vegas as a Launch Pad
B.Duck NAVI debuted at the Licensing Expo Las Vegas, held May 19–21, 2026 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. It is the world's largest event in brand licensing, where the owners of the most influential global IPs gather every year — from film studios to gaming giants.
For the Hong Kong project, this premiere holds symbolic significance. Not only does it introduce the robot to a global audience, but it also signals an ambition to expand beyond Asia. Victor Lee, founder of Rice Robotics and CEO of Rice Robotics AGI, summed it up: "We want B.Duck NAVI to show that social robots can be accessible to more families — not just in Asia, but around the world."
What It Means for Europe and the Czech Republic
AI social robots for homes are so far primarily the domain of Asian markets — Japan, China, South Korea, and now Hong Kong are investing heavily in this category. In Europe and the Czech Republic, similar products remain more of a curiosity for now.
Nevertheless, the personal AI robot market is developing rapidly. According to available analyses, the value of this segment could reach tens of billions of dollars by 2032. Whether B.Duck NAVI ever appears on European shelves will depend on certification, localization (Czech is not yet planned), and the ability to compete with established toy giants.
What's certain is that combining a popular character with autonomous robotics and AI represents a trend that will only grow stronger. In a few years, parents in the Czech Republic might not be choosing just a plush toy or a tablet, but an AI robot with the face of a beloved character.
How much will B.Duck NAVI cost?
The price has not yet been officially announced. Given that this is the first prototype for the consumer market and the project is at the memorandum of understanding (MOU) stage, the price will be specified only after development is completed and the final licensing agreement is signed. As a rough estimate, a price in the range of hundreds of dollars can be expected, similar to competing high-end robotic toys.
Will B.Duck NAVI be available in Czech?
Not yet. The primary market is Asia, particularly Hong Kong and China. Voice interaction will likely support Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) and English. Czech localization is not planned in the foreseeable future, though expansion of language support cannot be ruled out over time if the product reaches the European market.
How does B.Duck NAVI differ from regular smart speakers like Alexa or Google Home?
The fundamental difference is autonomous movement — B.Duck NAVI can move around a room on its own, while smart speakers are static. The robot also integrates emotion recognition and is focused on building an emotional bond with the user. So it's not just a voice assistant, but a physical companion that combines robotics, AI, and the design of a beloved character.
