Holiday Robotics: Microducks become a viral sensation

Preorders for the Microduck robot surpassed 20,000 units within a single day of a viral video showing Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang interacting with the devices. The footage, captured during a recent keynote at the GTC Berlin conference, featured the CEO playing with a group of the small robots. The clip quickly spread across social media, capturing the attention of consumers and industry observers alike.

The Microducks are small robotic birds designed to perform basic movements. In the viral clip, they were seen stomping their feet, emitting high-pitched beeps reminiscent of a classic sci-fi droid, and reacting to voice commands. The robots demonstrated the ability to sit, fall over for a simulated nap, and perform somersaults. Their endearing nature appears to have driven the immediate surge in consumer interest.

Hugging Face executive Clem Delangue confirmed the preorder numbers in a public statement. He suggested that the Microducks could become the best-selling robot of the year. Notably, he indicated that the device may appeal strongly to adults rather than just children. Promotional materials currently show grown adults engaging with the robots, highlighting their potential as a novelty item for a broad demographic.

The robots are scheduled for delivery in time for the Christmas season. This timing positions them as a potential top toy for the upcoming holiday period. The combination of high visibility and limited availability has created a sense of urgency among buyers. The product is expected to arrive in homes across the region before the end of the year.

The Microduck is an open source device created by Pollen Robotics. Pollen was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025, which subsequently became part of Nvidia following a purchase in September. This makes the Microduck the second robot released by the Hugging Face team, following the earlier launch of the Reachy Mini. The acquisition chain places the product firmly within the Nvidia corporate structure.

The robots are trained using Nvidia's technology stack. During the development process, simulations of the Microducks were taught basic tricks such as walking, sitting, and standing. These pre-programmed behaviors are included in the standard shipment. Pollen Robotics states that owners have the option to teach their specific units new tricks. The company also encourages users to share these custom skills with the wider community.

The sudden popularity of the Microduck offers a lighthearted contrast to recent news in the artificial intelligence sector. This week has been marked by significant concerns regarding cyberattacks linked to AI involvement. While the industry grapples with serious security issues, the widespread appeal of these cute robots provides a moment of levity. The ease with which viewers were prompted to order the device underscores the strong emotional connection consumers have with accessible technology.