Nvidia CEO’s Duck Robots Become Instant Holiday Hit
Viral footage of Jensen Huang with Microducks led to a surge in preorders for the open-source toys expected to arrive before Christmas.
By Khalid Rahman ·
The tech world has seen plenty of strange moments, but few are as charming as a CEO playing with mechanical birds. Last week, a video of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang interacting with a group of Microducks at the GTC Berlin conference spread rapidly across social media.
The clip showed the robots waddling around while making small beeping sounds. They performed various actions on command, including sitting, falling over for a fake nap, and doing somersaults. The footage captured the robots' endearing movements, which quickly captured the attention of viewers worldwide.
The reaction from the public was immediate and strong. By the day after the keynote, preorders for the devices exceeded 20,000 units. This milestone was announced by Clem Delangue, the head of Hugging Face, via a tweet. Delangue suggested that these units could become the top-selling robot of the year.
It is unlikely that these toys will only appeal to children. Promotional materials show adults enjoying the devices as well. The timing of the release is strategic, with deliveries expected in time for the Christmas holiday season. This positions the Microducks as a potential standout gift for the upcoming winter.
The hardware is produced by Pollen Robotics, a company acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Hugging Face was later purchased by Nvidia in September, making the robot manufacturer a part of the larger GPU giant. This is not Hugging Face's first foray into robotics, as they previously released the Reachy Mini, another cute device.
The Microducks are built on an open-source platform. They were trained using Nvidia's technology stack, which allowed simulations to learn basic tricks like walking, sitting, and standing. These pre-loaded commands are what users see in the viral video.
Pollen Robotics states that owners can teach their specific robots new behaviors. Users can then share these custom tricks with the broader community. This feature adds a layer of engagement beyond the initial purchase. The success of the Microducks offers a bright note for an industry that has recently faced criticism over AI-related cyberattacks. It demonstrates that artificial intelligence can be both functional and fun.
Source: TechCrunch
