Nvidia's new Microduck robots see 20,000 preorders after viral CEO demo

Nvidia is set to capture a significant share of the holiday toy market through its newly acquired robotics division. The company's CEO, Jensen Huang, demonstrated the Microduck robots during his keynote address at the GTC Berlin conference earlier this week. The video of the demonstration quickly gained widespread attention, showing the small robots performing various movements in response to voice commands. This public display served as a powerful marketing catalyst for the product line.

The immediate commercial response to the viral video was substantial. By the day following the keynote, preorders for the Microducks had exceeded 20,000 units. Clem Delangue, a key figure at Hugging Face, confirmed these sales figures in a public social media post. This rapid uptake suggests strong consumer interest in the device ahead of the Q4 holiday shopping season.

The Microducks are expected to be delivered to customers in time for Christmas. This timing positions the robots as potential top sellers for the year. Delangue suggested that the devices might become the best-selling robot of the year, noting that the promotional materials feature adults interacting with the robots, not just children. This broadens the target demographic beyond the traditional toy market.

The technology behind the Microducks stems from a recent corporate restructuring in the AI and robotics sector. The robots are produced by Pollen Robotics, a company that was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Nvidia subsequently purchased Hugging Face in September, making Pollen Robotics and its products part of the Nvidia corporate family. The Microducks represent the second robot released by Hugging Face, following the earlier launch of the Reachy Mini.

The devices are built on open source hardware and software principles. They were trained using Nvidia's proprietary technology stack. During the development phase, simulations of the robots were taught basic behaviors such as walking, sitting, and standing. These pre-loaded tricks are included in the hardware when it ships to consumers. The open nature of the platform allows for further customization by the user base.

Pollen Robotics has highlighted the community aspect of the product in its marketing. Owners are encouraged to train their individual robots with new tricks. Once developed, these custom behaviors can be shared with the broader user community. This feature aims to extend the lifespan and utility of the device beyond its initial factory settings.

The Microducks perform a variety of actions that have been described as charming and entertaining. They stomp their feet, make small mechanical noises reminiscent of classic sci-fi droids, and can perform somersaults. They also have a specific mode where they sit and appear to rest. These features were central to the viral video that drove the initial spike in preorders.

The launch comes at a time when the artificial intelligence industry has faced some scrutiny regarding its role in recent cyberattacks. However, the Microducks offer a lighthearted contrast to these technical concerns. The product focuses on consumer engagement and fun, providing a tangible example of AI technology in a home setting. The strong preorder numbers indicate that consumers are eager to adopt this new category of smart hardware.