Microduck Robots Steal the Show at GTC Berlin
Microduck robots have become an unexpected sensation. Earlier this week, a video of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang playing with a flock of waddling Microduck robots during his keynote at the company’s GTC Berlin conference went viral. The robots stomped their little feet, made tiny R2-D2 noises, sat, fell down for a “nap,” and somersaulted on voice command.
They were so cute that by the next day, preorders of the Microduck robots surpassed 20,000 units, according to Hugging Face’s Clem Delangue, who shared the news in a tweet. The response shows just how quickly a charming demo can turn into a genuine consumer phenomenon.
What Are Microduck Robots?
Microduck robots are small, open source devices produced by Pollen Robotics, a company acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Hugging Face itself was bought by Nvidia in September, which means Pollen Robotics now operates as part of an Nvidia company.
These robots are Hugging Face’s second foray into consumer robotics, following the also-cute Reachy Mini. The Microducks waddle on tiny feet, emit little R2-D2-style noises, and respond to voice commands. They can walk, sit, stand, lie down for a “nap,” and somersault — a set of basic tricks that come pre-installed.
Why Microduck Robots Could Be the Hottest Toy for Christmas
The Microduck robots are expected to be delivered in time for Christmas, meaning they might already be on their way to becoming the hottest toy of the holiday season. Delangue believes they could end up being the best-selling robot of the year — and possibly not even for kids.
The promotional videos show adults playing with the robots just as enthusiastically as children might. That broad appeal is part of what makes the Microduck robots stand out: they are simple, expressive, and genuinely fun to watch, which helps explain the rapid preorder surge.
How Microduck Robots Learn New Tricks
Microduck robots were trained using Nvidia’s technology stack. Simulations of the robots were taught basic tricks — walking, sitting, standing, and more — that they ship with out of the box. Pollen says owners can then train their robots with new tricks and share those tricks with the community.
Because the devices are open source, owners are not limited to the behaviors that come pre-installed. They can teach new actions and pass them along to other Microduck robots owners, creating a growing library of shared skills.
The Technology Behind the Cute Factor
The Microduck robots rely on simulation-based training, a method in which virtual versions of the robots practice behaviors before those skills are transferred to the physical devices. This approach lets the robots ship with reliable, polished tricks rather than requiring owners to program everything from scratch.
The open source nature of the Microduck robots also means the community can contribute to their development. Owners who teach their robots something new can share it, so each trick added by one person becomes available to others.
A Lighter Moment for the AI Industry
The viral Microduck robots video offers a welcome contrast to a difficult week for the AI industry. AI involvement was blamed for cyberattack after cyberattack, giving the technology a serious black eye. Against that backdrop, a flock of waddling, somersaulting robots is a palate cleanser.
As the original coverage put it: AI might seriously damage the world, but it can be fun, too. It’s hard to watch the Microduck robots in action without wanting to order one. That blend of charm and approachable technology is exactly what has driven the surge in preorders.
What the Preorder Numbers Tell Us
Surpassing 20,000 preorders in roughly a day is a notable signal for a small open source robot. It suggests demand extends well beyond hobbyists and early adopters. With delivery timed for Christmas, the Microduck robots are positioned to become a sought-after gift.
Whether they end up as the best-selling robot of the year remains to be seen, but the early momentum is strong. For now, the Microduck robots have achieved something rare: turning a conference keynote demo into a genuine holiday contender.
