Microduck robots become holiday favorite after viral CEO demo

Preorders for the Microduck robot have exceeded 20,000 units following a viral video of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang interacting with the devices. The surge in demand occurred just one day after the footage was released, signaling a strong potential for the product to become a top holiday gift this year.

The momentum began at the GTC Berlin conference earlier this week. During his keynote presentation, Huang was seen playing with a group of the small robots. The video captured the devices performing various actions on command, including sitting, falling over to simulate a nap, and performing somersaults. They also produced small electronic sounds reminiscent of the droid from Star Wars. The charming nature of the clips contributed to their rapid spread across social media.

Clem Delangue, who leads Hugging Face, confirmed the preorder numbers in a recent social media post. He suggested that the Microduck could become the best-selling robot of 2026. Notably, he indicated that the product may appeal to a broad demographic, not just children. Promotional materials have already shown adults engaging with the robots, highlighting their potential as a novelty item for a wider audience.

The device is set to arrive in time for the Christmas holiday season. This timing positions the Microduck as a contender for the most popular toy of the year. The product is developed by Pollen Robotics, which was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Because Hugging Face was purchased by Nvidia in September, the Microduck is now effectively part of the Nvidia portfolio. This marks the second robot product released by the Hugging Face team, following the earlier launch of the Reachy Mini.

The Microduck is an open source device that utilizes Nvidia’s technology stack for its training. The robots are shipped with a set of basic programmed tricks, such as walking, sitting, and standing. These behaviors are initially taught through simulations. Owners can then use the open source nature of the device to teach their robots new moves. The community aspect allows users to share these custom trained behaviors with others.

The release comes at a time when the artificial intelligence industry has faced some criticism. In the same week as the demo, AI involvement was cited in several high profile cyberattacks. The positive reception of the Microduck offers a contrasting narrative to the recent news cycle. The product demonstrates a playful application of the technology, providing a lighter moment for consumers and industry observers alike. The ease with which the robots can be commanded and their visual appeal have driven the immediate sales spike.