Nvidia ducks are becoming the unexpected holiday favorite

For shoppers in New York and New Jersey, the search for the perfect holiday gift has taken a whimsical turn. A small, waddling robot has surged in popularity, driven by a viral video that captures the charm of these tiny machines. If you have been browsing for gifts this week, you may have already seen the clips circulating online. The device is now moving quickly from a niche tech curiosity to a mainstream seasonal item, with thousands of units already reserved.

The spike in interest began earlier this week during the GTC Berlin conference. Jensen Huang, the chief executive of Nvidia, took the stage and interacted with a group of Microducks. The robots moved with a distinct gait, stomping their feet and emitting small electronic sounds reminiscent of classic sci-fi droids. They performed specific actions on voice command, including sitting, standing, and even executing summersaults. At one point, they simply collapsed to the floor, simulating a nap. The display was so endearing that it captured the attention of the audience and, subsequently, the broader internet.

The commercial response was immediate. Clem Delangue of Hugging Face confirmed on social media that preorders for the Microducks exceeded 20,000 units within a single day of the keynote. Delangue suggested that these robots could become the best-selling robot of the year. He noted that the appeal is not limited to children, as promotional materials feature adults playing with the devices just as enthusiastically. Given the current timeline, the units are expected to be delivered in time for Christmas, positioning them as a potential top seller for the holiday season.

The Microducks are open source devices created by Pollen Robotics. This company was acquired by Hugging Face in 2025. Since Hugging Face was purchased by Nvidia in September, the Microducks are now effectively an Nvidia product. This represents the second robot released by Hugging Face, following the similarly popular Reachy Mini. The acquisition chain places the toy firmly within the portfolio of the GPU giant, adding a layer of corporate significance to the cute exterior.

The technology behind the robots relies on Nvidia’s technology stack. The devices were trained using simulations, where they were taught basic tricks such as walking, sitting, and standing. These pre-loaded behaviors are what users see out of the box. However, the design allows for expansion. Pollen states that owners can train their specific robots to perform new tricks. Furthermore, users can share these custom behaviors with the wider community, fostering a collaborative environment around the device.

This lighthearted release offers a contrast to the broader news cycle in the artificial intelligence sector. Earlier this week, the industry faced criticism as AI involvement was linked to a series of cyberattacks. The narrative of AI causing harm dominated headlines. The Microducks provide a different perspective, showing the technology in a playful and accessible light. It is difficult to watch the footage without feeling a pull toward the device, even if the broader implications of AI remain complex and debated.

As the holiday season approaches, the Microducks stand out as a unique option. They combine the novelty of robotics with the simplicity of a traditional toy. For buyers in the region, they represent a tangible piece of the latest tech trend. The rapid movement from a conference demo to a mass preorder event highlights the power of viral marketing in the current market. Whether they sustain their momentum after the initial rush remains to be seen, but for now, they are capturing the holiday spirit in a very tech-savvy way.