Microducks become holiday sensation after CEO demo

A moment of pure whimsy cut through the week’s tech anxiety. At the GTC Berlin conference earlier this week, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took the stage to play with a group of small, waddling robots. The video of the interaction quickly spread across the internet. The robots, known as Microducks, performed simple tricks like sitting, falling down for a nap, and doing somersaults on voice commands. They even made small R2-D2-like noises. The charm was undeniable.

The viral nature of the footage drove immediate sales. By the day after the keynote, preorders for the devices surpassed 20,000 units. Clem Delangue, from Hugging Face, confirmed the figure in a tweet. The speed of the sales suggests the toy is becoming a major player in the holiday season. The devices are expected to be delivered in time for Christmas.

Delangue believes the Microducks may end up as the best-selling robot of the year. Interestingly, he thinks they might not even be primarily for children. Promotional materials show adults playing with the units as well. This broad appeal could help them stand out in a crowded market. The combination of cuteness and open-source technology seems to be a winning formula.

The Microducks are open-source devices. They are produced by Pollen Robotics. This company was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Since Nvidia bought Hugging Face in September, the robots are now technically part of the GPU giant’s portfolio. This is the second robot from Hugging Face. Their previous release, the Reachy Mini, was also noted for its cute design.

The robots were trained using Nvidia’s technology stack. During development, simulations of the ducks were taught basic tricks. These include walking, sitting, and standing. These pre-loaded tricks are what the units ship with. The technology allows for consistent performance out of the box. The integration of Nvidia’s stack highlights the company’s reach beyond just graphics processing.

Pollen Robotics notes that owners can do more than just use the pre-loaded moves. Users can train their specific robots with new tricks. Once a new move is learned, owners can share it with the wider community. This feature encourages customization and interaction among users. It turns a simple toy into a platform for creativity. The community aspect adds a layer of engagement beyond the physical object.

The timing of the launch is notable. The AI industry had a rough week. AI involvement was blamed for several cyberattacks. The mood in the sector was tense. The Microduck video served as a palate cleanser for many observers. It reminded people that artificial intelligence can be fun. The contrast between the scary news and the cute robots was stark. It is hard to watch the video without feeling an urge to order one.

The success of the Microducks shows a different side of tech. It is not always about complex algorithms or serious infrastructure. Sometimes, it is about a small robot waddling across a stage. The quick sales indicate a strong demand for accessible AI hardware. As Christmas approaches, the pressure will be on manufacturers to deliver. The fate of these little ducks will be a key indicator of consumer interest in robotic toys this year.