Pobeda Airlines Trials Humanoid Robot asโ In-Flight Assistant
Russian low-cost airline pobeda recently conducted a trial โrun featuring aโ humanoid robot, named โVolodya, assisting โขwith in-flight duties.footage released โคby AirProNews โon YouTube on November 12th showcased the robot interacting with passengers adn cabin crew โduring a flight.
Volodya greeted passengers as they boarded andโฃ subsequently delivered safetyโ instructions,mimicking the actions of a flight attendant toโฃ provide detailedโข explanations. While the robotโฃ did not perform typicalโ cabin crew tasksโ like serving โfood and beverages, airline officials reported significant passenger interest, with both childrenโฃ and adults taking photos withโ the โขhumanoid.
The robot’s appearance bears resemblance to โฃa Unitree G1, thoughโข Pobeda has not officially confirmed this connection. The video demonstrates Volodyaโ utilizing reinforcementโ learning technologyโ to replicate the movements and โขactions of a human flight attendant.
Though, the introduction of the robot has sparked debate regarding the future of human roles within โthe aviation industry. A video shared on Instagram by valuetainment โignited aโ discussion, with many users expressing concerns about potential job โdisplacement. Comments suggested the โขflight attendant might be “training her replacement,”โ and some questioned theโค necessity of the technology, labeling it as “tryingโ to solve a problem that does not exist.” Concerns were also raised about potential malfunctions,with one user humorously speculating about the consequences โof the robot โฃinadvertently opening an airplaneโ door mid-flight. the onlineโฃ response indicated aโ greater level of apprehension โขthan enthusiasm.
Pobeda’sโ trial โmayโข represent theโข first instance of a humanoid robot participating inโข a flight as anโฃ assistant. โคNevertheless, other โairlines โฃareโข actively exploring automation in โคpassengerโค service. In March 2024, Qatar Airways unveiled humanoid robots designed to function as flight โattendants, equippedโ with conversationalโ AI to answer questions and perform various tasks.โข
Beyond passenger-facing roles, humanoid robots are alsoโฃ gainingโ tractionโ in aviationโ manufacturing. Hyundai Motors and Kia unveiled theโ X-bleโข Shoulder in June, a wearable robot intended โคto aid in aircraft assembly and maintenance.
As โthe โฃaviation โindustryโข continues to integrate robotic assistance, a key challengeโฃ will be ensuring โขthat technological advancements complement, rather than replace, the essential human element of the passenger experience.