Microduck Preorders Surge Past 20,000 After Huang Demo

Consumer electronics demand is spiking for a specific robotic category following a high-profile demonstration involving Nvidia's leadership this week. The company's chief executive, Jensen Huang, presented a group of autonomous units during a keynote address, an event that immediately translated into significant commercial interest.

During his presentation at the GTC Berlin conference earlier this week, Huang showcased Microducks, small robotic devices capable of responding to voice commands. The units perform a variety of physical actions, including walking, sitting, and executing a 'nap' sequence where they lie flat. The demonstration also featured the robots producing audio sounds and performing somersaults.

The reaction to the demonstration was rapid and measurable. According to Clem Delangue, Chief Executive of Hugging Face, preorders for the Microduck exceeded 20,000 units by the following day. Delangue shared this sales figure via a social media post after the video of the event circulated online.

The units are manufactured by Pollen Robotics, a firm acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. This acquisition connects the hardware to Nvidia, which purchased Hugging Face in September. The Microduck represents the second robotic device produced by Hugging Face, following the release of the Reachy Mini.

The devices are constructed as open-source hardware. They utilize Nvidia’s technology stack for their operational capabilities. The initial set of physical maneuvers, such as walking and standing, were developed through simulation training, allowing the units to perform these tasks immediately upon arrival.

Owners of the hardware possess the ability to alter the programming. Users can train the robots to execute new tricks and subsequently upload those capabilities to a community platform for others to utilize. This functionality extends the utility of the device beyond the pre-installed capabilities provided by the manufacturer.

Logistics indicate the units will arrive ahead of the winter holidays. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed in time for Christmas. This schedule has positioned the item as a potential candidate for high-demand consumer products during the end-of-year retail period.

Market sentiment regarding the product's potential audience is broad. While the units are physically small, the promotional materials depict adults interacting with them. Delangue has suggested the device could become the highest-selling robot for the current year, a projection that includes sales to non-child consumers.