Nvidia's Microducks Smash Preorder Records After Viral Keynote Moment
Cute AI robots surged past 20,000 preorders following a viral video of Jensen Huang interacting with them at GTC Berlin, positioning them as a top contender for Christmas sales.
By Kaito Sokolov ·
Preorders for the Microduck robot have surged past 20,000 units in a single day, cementing the device as a potential holiday sensation. The rapid spike in demand followed the viral spread of footage showing Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang playing with a group of the small, waddling robots during his keynote speech at the GTC Berlin conference earlier this week.
The timeline of the surge began with the demonstration at the conference. In the video, the robots performed a series of charming actions, including stomping their feet, emitting small R2-D2 style noises, and executing somersaults on voice commands. They also sat and fell over to simulate napping, a behavior that resonated strongly with viewers. By the following day, Hugging Face CEO Clem Delangue confirmed the preorder milestone on social media, noting the overwhelming public response.
Delangue suggested that the Microducks could become the best-selling robot of the year. He noted that the product may not be limited to children, as promotional materials feature adults interacting with the devices. This broader appeal could drive significant sales volume as the holiday season approaches.
The robots are expected to be delivered in time for Christmas, which positions them perfectly for the peak gifting period. If current trends continue, the Microducks could rival established toys for market share. The combination of cuteness and interactive AI features appears to be a compelling selling point for consumers looking for unique holiday gifts.
The Microducks are open source devices originally produced by Pollen Robotics. Pollen was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Subsequently, Nvidia purchased Hugging Face in September, making the Microducks part of the GPU giant's portfolio. This makes the Microducks the second robot from Hugging Face, following the similarly popular Reachy Mini.
The technology behind the robots relies on Nvidia’s stack. Simulations of the Microducks were trained to perform basic tricks such as walking, sitting, and standing. These pre-trained behaviors are included when the device ships to customers. Pollen also states that owners can train their specific robots with new tricks and share these custom moves with the wider community.
The viral success of the Microducks provides a lighter note for the AI industry. This week, the sector faced scrutiny as AI involvement was blamed for a series of cyberattacks. The contrast between the serious concerns about AI security and the playful nature of the Microducks has drawn attention. The video of the robots has served as a palate cleanser for many observers, highlighting the fun side of artificial intelligence.
With delivery windows set for the holidays, the Microducks are poised to make a significant impact on the toy market. The rapid adoption following the keynote suggests strong consumer interest. As the year comes to a close, the Microducks may well define the conversation around AI-powered consumer hardware.
