Nvidia’s Microducks Smash Preorder Records After Keynote Debut

Jensen Huang’s playful demonstration of robotic ducks during his recent keynote in Berlin has ignited a wave of consumer demand for the tiny gadgets. The video, which quickly spread across social media platforms, shows the Nvidia chief interacting with a group of Microducks that waddle, stumble, and perform synchronized movements. The robots emit small R2-D2-like sounds as they stomp their feet, adding to their appeal. Their ability to sit, fall over for simulated naps, and execute somersaults on voice commands made the clip a viral sensation within hours of its release.

The commercial impact of the viral moment was immediate and significant. By the day following the GTC Berlin conference, preorders for the Microducks exceeded 20,000 units. Clem Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, confirmed the milestone on social media. Given the current timeline, the devices are expected to arrive in time for the holiday season. This positioning suggests they could become one of the top-selling toys of the year, potentially surpassing traditional electronic gadgets in popularity among both children and adults.

Delangue believes the Microducks may become the best-selling robot of the year, noting that promotional material features adults playing with the devices as well as children. The robots are open-source hardware developed by Pollen Robotics. This company was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Subsequently, Hugging Face was purchased by Nvidia in September, making the Microducks an official product of the GPU giant. This is the second robot to emerge from Hugging Face’s portfolio, following the similarly cute Reachy Mini.

The technology behind the Microducks relies heavily on Nvidia’s internal tools. The robots were trained using the company’s technology stack, where digital simulations were taught basic behaviors such as walking, sitting, and standing. These pre-programmed tricks are included in the units shipped to customers. Pollen Robotics states that owners have the ability to train their specific robots with new behaviors. Users can then share these custom-trained models with the broader community, fostering a collaborative ecosystem around the hardware.

The timing of this launch offers a distinct contrast to the broader mood in the artificial intelligence sector. This week, the industry faced scrutiny as AI involvement was linked to a series of high-profile cyberattacks. Those incidents raised serious concerns about the potential risks of AI integration in critical infrastructure. In that context, the lighthearted viral success of the Microducks serves as a refreshing interlude. It demonstrates that AI technology can be engaging and accessible, not just complex or intimidating.

The combination of cuteness, open-source accessibility, and backing from a major tech corporation has created a unique market position for the device. The viral nature of the keynote video lowered the barrier to entry for potential buyers who may not have otherwise followed robotics news. The rapid accumulation of preorders indicates a strong market appetite for interactive, open-source consumer robotics. As delivery dates approach, the Microducks are poised to test whether novelty can drive sustained sales in a crowded holiday market.