Pobeda Airlines Trials Humanoid Robot as In-Flight Assistant
Russian low-cost airline pobeda recently conducted a trial run featuring a humanoid robot, named Volodya, assisting with in-flight duties.footage released by AirProNews on YouTube on November 12th showcased the robot interacting with passengers adn cabin crew during a flight.
Volodya greeted passengers as they boarded and subsequently delivered safety instructions,mimicking the actions of a flight attendant to provide detailed explanations. While the robot did not perform typical cabin crew tasks like serving food and beverages, airline officials reported significant passenger interest, with both children and adults taking photos with the humanoid.
The robot’s appearance bears resemblance to a Unitree G1, though Pobeda has not officially confirmed this connection. The video demonstrates Volodya utilizing reinforcement learning technology to replicate the movements and actions of a human flight attendant.
Though, the introduction of the robot has sparked debate regarding the future of human roles within the aviation industry. A video shared on Instagram by valuetainment ignited a discussion, with many users expressing concerns about potential job displacement. Comments suggested the flight attendant might be “training her replacement,” and some questioned the necessity of the technology, labeling it as “trying to solve a problem that does not exist.” Concerns were also raised about potential malfunctions,with one user humorously speculating about the consequences of the robot inadvertently opening an airplane door mid-flight. the online response indicated a greater level of apprehension than enthusiasm.
Pobeda’s trial may represent the first instance of a humanoid robot participating in a flight as an assistant. Nevertheless, other airlines are actively exploring automation in passenger service. In March 2024, Qatar Airways unveiled humanoid robots designed to function as flight attendants, equipped with conversational AI to answer questions and perform various tasks.
Beyond passenger-facing roles, humanoid robots are also gaining traction in aviation manufacturing. Hyundai Motors and Kia unveiled the X-ble Shoulder in June, a wearable robot intended to aid in aircraft assembly and maintenance.
As the aviation industry continues to integrate robotic assistance, a key challenge will be ensuring that technological advancements complement, rather than replace, the essential human element of the passenger experience.
