Meet Microduck: The Tiny $399 AI Robot That Stole Nvidia’s Berlin Show
Meet Microduck, the 25cm AI-trained robot featured at Nvidia's Berlin keynote. What it does, how it learns and what UK buyers should know about the $399 price.
Four tiny duck-shaped robots have become one of the talking points of Nvidia's GTC Berlin conference after appearing on stage with CEO Jensen Huang on 21 October 2026. The robots, called Microduck, are designed by French robotics company Pollen Robotics, part of Hugging Face. They are not simply novelty toys: their movements offer a public demonstration of how software can train physical robots in simulation before transferring those skills to real machines.
What happened at Nvidia's Berlin event?
Huang introduced four Microducks during his keynote. The robots walked and responded to requests to sit, stand and lie down. The routine was not perfectly synchronised: Reuters reported that three lay down promptly while a fourth needed encouragement, and another turned the wrong way towards the end. The unscripted-looking moments made the demonstration memorable, but they also illustrated a serious point: physical AI is still difficult to make reliable.
Rather than claiming the robots can understand any spoken command or perform every requested trick flawlessly, the demonstration should be understood as a showcase of trained movement policies.
What is Microduck?
Microduck is a 25cm-tall, two-legged robot weighing under 800g. According to its developer, it contains 15 motors, a camera, a depth sensor, two inertial measurement units and an articulated beak that can grasp objects. It can walk, sit, crouch and recover from many common falls. Pollen Robotics has also demonstrated roller-skating movements.
Its approachable appearance hides a technical purpose: developers and students can experiment with robot control, reinforcement learning and the gap between virtual training and real-world movement. It is an open-source robotics platform, not a household assistant that will automatically perform chores.
How does the AI training work?
Pollen Robotics and Nvidia have published a technical guide explaining how Microduck can learn to walk using Nvidia Isaac Lab and the Newton physics engine. Developers train a movement policy in a simulated environment, export it and deploy it to a physical robot. The simulation can run many experiments without repeatedly risking damage to the hardware.
That does not mean the robot learns every movement instantly. Real motors have delays, mechanical play and different friction from a computer model. The process involves testing and adjustment. Nvidia's Berlin presentation used cloud computing alongside other hardware in its demonstration; it should not be taken as proof that an ordinary laptop alone can replicate the entire training workflow.
How much does Microduck cost in the UK?
Pollen Robotics lists an introductory pre-order price of $399 before taxes and shipping. This is not a confirmed all-inclusive UK retail price. Its official announcement says first deliveries are targeted before Christmas 2026 in the UK, Europe and North America, although that is a target rather than a guarantee.
The company's shipping policy says UK orders ship from France and undergo customs clearance. Import VAT and applicable duties may be collected at checkout or payable on delivery, depending on the order. UK buyers should review the final checkout total and import terms before paying.
Can you buy one now?
Microduck has been offered for pre-order through Pollen Robotics. Availability can change, so readers should check the manufacturer's current store listing rather than rely on reports of stock levels from social media. The manufacturer provides four colour options: Cream, Graphite, Lavender and Sky.
Is Microduck worth buying?
For a robotics hobbyist, university student or developer, the appeal is the opportunity to experiment with a small physical platform and publicly documented training tools. For someone expecting a fully autonomous pet or an AI-powered home helper, the limitations matter. Microduck is best viewed as an educational and experimental robot, with entertainment value as a bonus.
The Berlin appearance was a clever demonstration of a broader industry trend: AI is moving beyond text and images into machines that must cope with gravity, balance and imperfect real-world conditions. Microduck's occasional missteps may have made the moment more relatable, but they are also a reminder of how much engineering remains between a compelling stage demonstration and dependable everyday robotics.