Microduck Robots: 20,000 Preorders After Nvidia Demo

Jensen Huang spent part of his keynote at the GTC Berlin conference this week waddling alongside a flock of small robots. The video of the event spread across social media quickly, showing the Microducks stomping their feet and making high-pitched noises. On voice command, the units sat, fainted for a simulated nap, and performed somersaults.

The appeal of the devices translated into immediate sales. Clem Delangue of Hugging Face announced in a tweet that preorders for the Microducks passed the 20,000 unit mark by the day after the keynote. Delangue suggested the robots could become the best-selling robot of the year, noting that promotional material features adults interacting with the devices as often as children.

The Microducks are open source hardware created by Pollen Robotics. Pollen was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Hugging Face itself was purchased by Nvidia in September 2026. This acquisition makes the robot manufacturer a part of the GPU company. The Microducks represent Hugging Face's second robot product, following the release of the Reachy Mini.

Nvidia's technology stack was used to train the robots. Simulations taught the units basic maneuvers such as walking, sitting, and standing. These moves are included in the software that ships with the devices. Pollen Robotics states that owners can teach their units new tricks and share those custom movements with the user community.

The company expects to deliver the Microducks in time for the Christmas holiday season. The timing positions the robot as a potential top gift for the upcoming festive period. The viral nature of the demo video has already generated significant interest in the product ahead of delivery.

The success of the Microducks arrives during a week where the AI industry faced scrutiny over its role in several cyberattacks. The lighthearted reception of the robot demo offers a contrast to the serious technical discussions dominating the news cycle. The video of Huang and the robots has become a popular clip among industry observers.

Nvidia and Hugging Face did not announce a specific price point for the Microducks in the keynote materials. The preorders were managed through Hugging Face's platform. The company confirmed that production is underway to meet the holiday delivery deadline.