Nvidia-backed Microducks Surpass 20,000 Preorders Following Viral GTC Demonstration

Preorders for the Microduck robotic companion have exceeded 20,000 units, a rapid surge in demand driven by a viral demonstration during Nvidia’s recent GTC Berlin conference. The milestone was confirmed by Clem Delangue of Hugging Face, who noted the significant uptake following the public unveiling of the devices. This early commercial success positions the small robots as potential leaders in the holiday toy market, with delivery timelines aligned for arrival before Christmas.

The trajectory of the Microducks’ popularity began earlier this week when Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang interacted with a group of the robots on stage. The footage, which spread widely across digital platforms, showed the devices executing programmed movements such as waddling, sitting, and performing somersaults in response to voice commands. The robots also exhibited a “nap” behavior, lying down motionlessly to simulate sleep, accompanied by small mechanical sounds reminiscent of classic science fiction droids. This charming presentation captured the public’s attention quickly, leading to the substantial increase in preorders within twenty-four hours of the keynote address.

The Microducks are the product of Pollen Robotics, a developer that was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Following Hugging Face’s own acquisition by Nvidia in September, the robot line has effectively become part of the GPU manufacturer’s portfolio. This represents the second robotic offering from the Hugging Face division, following the earlier release of the Reachy Mini. The integration places the Microducks within a larger ecosystem of artificial intelligence and hardware development, leveraging the technical resources of its new parent company.

Technically, the devices are built on open-source principles and utilize Nvidia’s proprietary technology stack for their foundational training. During the development phase, simulated versions of the robots were taught basic behaviors, including walking, standing, and sitting, which are pre-installed in the hardware shipped to consumers. Pollen Robotics has indicated that the design allows for user-driven customization, enabling owners to teach their specific units new tricks and subsequently share these custom behaviors with the broader community of users.

While the devices are marketed as playful companions, promotional materials suggest they may appeal to a demographic beyond children. Hugging Face’s leadership has speculated that the Microducks could become the best-selling robot of the year, potentially attracting an adult audience as well. The visual appeal of the devices, characterized by their waddling gait and responsive interactions, has been highlighted as a key factor in their broad appeal, offering a lighter, more accessible entry point into consumer robotics.

The launch occurs amidst a period of heightened scrutiny for the artificial intelligence sector, which has recently faced criticism regarding its role in various cyber incidents. In this context, the Microducks present a more positive, tangible application of the technology. As the devices begin to ship to early adopters, the market will closely watch whether the initial viral enthusiasm translates into sustained sales throughout the holiday season, potentially establishing a new benchmark for consumer robotics.