Microduck robots surpass 20,000 preorders after Huang demo
A keynote video of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang playing with Microduck robots helped drive more than 20,000 preorders. The open-source robots are made by Pollen Robotics, which Hugging Face acquired; Nvidia's recent purchase of Hugging Face makes them part of Nvidia. Deliveries are expected before Christmas, and the robots may become a sought-after holiday gift.
Pollen Robotics created the open-source Microduck, and Hugging Face acquired Pollen in 2025. Nvidia’s September purchase of Hugging Face brought the robot line under Nvidia, following Hugging Face’s earlier Reachy Mini.
The devices learned basic actions—walking, sitting, standing—through simulated training on Nvidia’s stack. Buyers can teach additional behaviors and distribute them to other owners. Clem Delangue reported the 20,000-plus preorder milestone after Jensen Huang’s GTC Berlin keynote demonstration.
The Microduck’s viral moment could broaden public familiarity with open-source robotics, especially among hobbyists, educators, and families considering interactive toys. If deliveries arrive before Christmas, demand may test Pollen and Nvidia’s ability to support a consumer robot community, while shared tricks could encourage collaborative learning. Adults may also adopt the devices as desk companions or experimentation platforms. Still, the long-term effect depends on price, reliability, privacy practices, and whether novelty translates into sustained use.