Russia‘s First Humanoid Robot Faceplants During Public Debut
Moscow – Russia’s highly anticipated first humanoid robot, ”AIdol,” stumbled and fell face-first during its public exhibition today, highlighting the challenges facing the nation’s enterprising artificial intelligence advancement goals. The incident occurred as the robot walked onto a stage accompanied by triumphant music, taking only a few steps before losing balance and collapsing.
The debut of AIdol, developed by a team at Idol, comes as Russia increasingly prioritizes advancements in AI, viewing leadership in the field as crucial for global power.In a widely quoted 2017 address, President Vladimir Putin declared that artificial intelligence represents “the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind,” warning that “whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world.” He pledged that Russia would share its AI know-how if it achieved leadership,”the same way we share our nuclear technologies today.”
However, Russia’s AI ambitions are unfolding against a backdrop of international sanctions and a push for “sovereign artificial intelligence” – AI built on the country’s “own cultural and linguistic foundations.” Last February, Putin signed a decree updating Russia’s National AI Development Strategy through 2030, explicitly citing “unilateral restrictive measures introduced by unfriendly countries” as a challenge to its progress. The strategy acknowledged barriers to access caused by “unfair competition on the part of unfriendly foreign countries.”
Developers at Idol envision AIdol being deployed in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and public services, including banks and airports. The specific AI system powering the robot and a timeline for mass production have not been disclosed.
