Nvidia’s Microduck Robots Surpass 20,000 Preorders After GTC Berlin Debut

Preorders for the Microduck robot exceeded 20,000 units within 24 hours of a high-profile demonstration, signaling a rapid spike in consumer demand for the device. The surge was directly linked to a viral video from the GTC Berlin conference earlier this week, where Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang was seen interacting with a group of the small, autonomous units.

The immediate market reaction suggests the Microduck could become a dominant product in the holiday retail sector. Hugging Face Chief Executive Officer Clem Delangue noted on social media that the preorder count crossed the 20,000 mark by the day following the keynote. The company anticipates that these units will be delivered before the Christmas season, positioning them to capture significant holiday sales volume. Delangue has speculated that the device may finish as the year’s best-selling robot, potentially appealing to an adult demographic as much as to children, based on promotional materials that feature adults playing with the units.

From a corporate structure perspective, the Microduck represents a strategic asset within Nvidia’s expanding hardware portfolio. The robots are open-source devices originally developed by Pollen Robotics. Pollen was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025, and Hugging Face itself was purchased by Nvidia in September, effectively making the Microduck an Nvidia product. This is the second robotic offering from the Hugging Face team, following the release of the Reachy Mini.

The technical foundation of the device relies heavily on Nvidia’s internal technology stack. During the manufacturing process, simulated versions of the Microduck were used to train the hardware on fundamental behaviors, such as walking, sitting, and standing. These pre-programmed tricks are included in the standard shipment. Pollen Robotics has stated that the open-source nature of the device allows owners to train their specific units on new commands and subsequently share those custom programs with the broader community.

The viral video highlighted several specific capabilities of the robot, including the ability to waddle, execute somersaults upon voice command, and simulate a nap by falling motionless. The units also produce small, mechanical sounds reminiscent of classic science fiction droids. This combination of visual appeal and interactive functionality appears to be the primary driver behind the rapid accumulation of preorders.

The sudden popularity of the Microduck arrives during a period of heightened scrutiny for the artificial intelligence sector. Earlier this week, the industry faced criticism as AI involvement was cited in multiple cyberattack incidents. In contrast to this narrative, the Microduck serves as a tangible, consumer-facing application of AI technology that emphasizes entertainment and interaction. The rapid adoption of the device suggests that despite broader industry challenges, there remains strong consumer appetite for accessible, AI-driven hardware.

As the holiday season approaches, the Microduck is poised to test the market’s appetite for affordable, open-source robotics. The convergence of celebrity endorsement through the CEO’s keynote, the backing of Nvidia’s computational resources, and a design focused on cuteness and interactivity has created a unique market position. The next few weeks will determine if the initial preorder surge translates into sustained sales momentum.