Russia's First Humanoid Robot AIDOL Face-Plants During Moscow Debut

Oops. Russia's First Humanoid Robot Face-Plants Onstage, CEO Calls It a Win

Emily is an experienced reporter who covers cutting-edge tech, from AI and EVs to brain implants. She stays grounded by hiking and playing guitar. Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. It's been a big fall for humanoid robots, with the reveal of two new prototypes in the US. Now Russia has entered the ring with Aidol -- sort of. The robot's grand reveal at a technology conference in Moscow didn't go as planned. It emerged from backstage and walked about five feet before face-planting onto the stage. Two humans leapt to pick up the robot and dragged it offstage, shielding it with a black curtain. Aidol was intended to mark Russia's entry into the global race for humanoid machines, according to Polish outlet TVP World. Instead, the internet, including multiple pro-Ukrainian X accounts, is mocking it. However, Aidol CEO Vladimir Vitukhin, who is based in Dubai, is spinning the snafu as a teachable moment. On LinkedIn, he reposted commentary from OFweek Robotics that says Vitukhin called the mishap a valuable "real-time training" session, adding that "successful mistakes convert into knowledge, and failed mistakes convert into experience." Another post, which Vitukhin also reposted, argued that trying and failing is better than doing nothing. "Its next version will be better!" The Aidol website boasts higher performance than it demonstrated onstage. The bot can supposedly work autonomously for up to six hours, reproduce 12 basic emotions and "hundreds of micro-expressions," and walk 3.7mph (6km/h). For maximum utility, it claims to be able to work offline and online, as well as integrate with third-party tools. The company also offers a desktop version, which is not a chatbot, but a torso and head that literally sits on your desk and talks to you. It can turn its head, and remembers the last thing you talked about. Aidol boasts that the desktop format "allows the robot to be quickly installed in any space and easily change locations as needed." US-made humanoid robots are also far from perfect. Figure AI claims its prototype can fold your clothes and do the dishes, which is a big step forward but far from full functionality. 1X Technologies' Neo robot also promises to do your chores, but it costs $20,000, and if it can't complete a task, then a 1X employee may take over remotely and peek into your home. Elon Musk is also working on a Tesla Bot. In 2022, it successfully came out on stage during a demo, did a "raise the roof" motion, and quickly scurried away. That came after a 2021 demo that was just a guy in leotard. More recently, Tesla Bots danced in a gazebo and poured drinks at last year's Cybercab event. However, engineers remotely operated them behind the scenes, unbeknownst to attendees, Business Insider reports.

Russia's first autonomous humanoid robot falls on debut

A semi-autonomous humanoid robot said to be Russia's first such machine has fallen over within seconds of facing the public for the first time. The robot, named AIDOL - also the moniker of the Artificial Intelligence Dynamic Organism Lab that made it - can carry ten kilograms, work autonomously for up to six hours with or without an internet connection, and move at six kilometers an hour. AIDOL's web page claims its AI includes "A set of solutions that allows a robot to move in space, transport objects and communicate," including by "reproducing 12 basic emotions and hundreds of micro-expressions." The page also includes this photo of AIDOL. We think the micro-expression depicted is "murderous cyber-rage." AIDOL let its eponymous bot out in public for the first time yesterday, with unimpressive results. Youtube Video The Register has some sympathy for AIDOL, because the demo gods are always cruel - your correspondent saw a glitchy Cisco keynote earlier this week. Another seemingly universal element of this story is that AIDOL's creators, like any good Western startup, have apparently said they'll learn from this failure. Russian newswire TASS reports that 77 percent of the components used to make AIDOL are local creations, and that its maker hopes to reach 93 percent. AIDOL also offers a desktop version of its bot that it suggests you might want to install in a public place so it can interact with humans.

Russia's first humanoid robot debuts - and immediately eats the floor

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Facepalm: Russia has unveiled its first autonomous humanoid robot as it looks to rival US giants such as Tesla. But based on the machine's initial public appearance, in which it faceplanted after taking a few steps on stage, Russia still has a lot of work to do to catch up. According to its website, AIdol - an acronym of maker Artificial Intelligence Dynamic Organism Lab - can work autonomously for six hours using its 48-volt battery, walk at speeds of up to 6 km/h (3.7 mph), work both online and offline, and carry 22 pounds. It's AI-powered too, apparently. AIdol was given its public debut on November 10 in Moscow, where it was introduced as an example of a humanoid robot built from mostly domestic components. As the Rocky theme blared, AIdol came waddling onto stage like an elderly man trying to find a public restroom. After giving a little wave, the bot drunkenly staggered forward and collapsed onto its face. At this point, two humans dragged him away as another frantically yanked back the curtain as if Putin himself was in the audience. Most would consider the demo to be an embarrassment for a semi-autonomous robot that can supposedly move in space, transport objects, and communicate, especially when Boston Dynamics' Atlas was doing backflips almost eight years ago. However, Dubai-based AIdol CEO Vladimir Vitukhin had a more positive view of proceedings. He framed the incident as a "real-time training" session, noting that "successful mistakes convert into knowledge, and failed mistakes convert into experience." He added that the next version of the anthropomorphic robot will be better. The company also claimed the fall was due to calibration issues, adding that the robot is still in its testing phase. Moscow won't be pleased to see so much global coverage of the incident, especially as 77% of the robot's components come from Russia - a figure that its maker aims to increase to 93%. With all the sanctions against the country, Russia is focusing on home-grown technology, but with little success. AIdol is equipped with 19 servomotors that allow it to display more than a dozen basic emotions and hundreds of micro-expressions. It also has silicon skin to replicate human facial expressions, though the website only shows the robot in the form of a Hellraiser Cenobite. "We have such sights to show you" For something even creepier, there's a head-and-torso-only desktop version of AIdol available that (probably) won't fall over.

Russia's much-hyped humanoid robot face-plants onstage during debut

A humanoid AI robot fell onstage during its debut appearance at a Moscow technology showcase on Nov. 11. (Video: Moskva City News Agency via Reuters) A humanoid robot's highly anticipated debut quickly went awry when it stumbled onstage at a technology showcase in Moscow on Tuesday. Backed by the theme song of "Rocky," the robot, accompanied by two people, waddled onto the stage before a room full of journalists ready to catch a glimpse of what the developers called "Russia's first anthropomorphic robot with artificial intelligence." But in a scene resembling the end of a messy night at the bar, as the robot attempted to wave its right hand, it stumbled around before falling flat, face-first. The two men accompanying the robot scrambled to drag it offstage, while other staff members tried to pull a black curtain across the stage to cover the blunder. The robot, known as AIDOL, was created by a Russian company with the same name, which was registered in August 2025. Vladimir Vitukhin, AIDOL's chief executive, said the autonomous robot is able to perform three essential tasks: movement, manipulation of objects and communication, a local news agency reported. According to AIDOL's website, the walking robot weighs 209 pounds (95 kilograms) and stands at 6 feet 1 inch (186 centimeters) tall. It can convey more than 12 basic emotions, carry up to 22 pounds of load and move at speeds of up to 3.7 mph, the website added. Its developers claim the robot is 73 percent localized, meaning it is built mostly from Russian components. Vitukhin said the robot had been tested in a variety of conditions before the debut -- "on stones, carpet, laminate, expanded clay and slippery floors," according to the Moscow Times. He believed Tuesday's fall was probably the result of a voltage fluctuation and other environmental factors, including the lighting, but added: "Surely everyone felt sorry for it, and that's one of its functions -- to evoke sympathy," the newspaper added. AIDOL is the flagship project of Russia's New Technological Coalition, a consortium of robotics companies and technical universities working to develop anthropomorphic robots. Alexey Yuzhakov, head of the coalition and founder of robotics company Promobot, told Russian business newspaper Vedomosti that he hopes to attract up to $50 million (4 billion rubles) in investments -- from both Russian and foreign private investors and funds -- for future developments. He told the Russian state news agency Tass that the autonomous robot learns from the "consequences of its own action" and will "continue to improve." Once seen as a sci-fi fantasy, similar to flying cars, humanoid robots are now a reality, with major tech corporations investing big time. Elon Musk's Tesla is building its own humanoid robot called Optimus and said the robots will be "the biggest product ever in history," while Meta and Google are working on integrating their own AI technology and research with humanoid robots, The Post previously reported. According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the United States is predicted to have 78 million humanoid robots at work by 2050.

Russia's first AI-powered robot walked on stage to triumphant music, took a few steps, and then immediately faceplanted | Fortune

Russia's first domestically produced artificial intelligence-powered humanoid robot faceplanted during its first public demonstration this week, underscoring the challenges Russia faces in competing with more established leaders in AI and robotics like the U.S. and China. The robot, named AIdol, was unveiled during a tech showcase at the Yarovit Hall Congress Center in Moscow on Monday. As the machine walked onto the stage accompanied by two handlers to "Gonna Fly Now," the theme from the 1976 film Rocky, it waved to the audience before taking a few steps, losing its balance, and toppling over. Event staff rushed to cover the fallen robot with a black cloth and carried it from the stage, cutting the presentation short. You have to see it for yourself. Vladimir Vitukhin, CEO of the Moscow-based startup Idol, attributed the fall to calibration issues potentially caused by the robot's stereo cameras being overly sensitive to the lighting conditions in the hall. "This is real-time learning, when a good mistake turns into knowledge, and a bad mistake turns into experience," Vitukhin told attendees following the incident, according to Newsweek. "I hope that this mistake will turn into an experience." The robot was later brought back onstage and managed to remain upright with assistance from handlers. Vitukhin maintained AIdol sustained no damage from the fall. AIdol is designed to perform three main functions: walking, object manipulation, and communication with people. The humanoid can perform up to six hours of autonomous operation, according to the company, and its face is capable of expressing at least 12 basic emotions and "hundreds" of microexpressions through its flexible silicone skin. All of the robot's systems function offline. The video below offers a pretty good idea of what AIdol looks like up close, including its face. According to the company, 77% of AIdol's components are Russian-made, and it plans to raise that number to 93% when the robot eventually enters mass production. Russia, of course, faces sanctions from Western nations over the country's invasion of Ukraine, which has restricted the country's access to advanced electronics, semiconductor components, and other critical technologies needed for robotics development. Russia's robotics sector has struggled mightily since it invaded Ukraine, when major international manufacturers exited the Russian market in response to sanctions. The country has faced ongoing challenges related to component shortages and a loss of engineering talent. Notably, AIdol's less-than-ideal debut really highlights just how far behind it is compared to some international competitors. Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot, for example, can parkour and manipulate objects on its own, thanks to machine learning-powered vision systems. Chinese manufacturers have also made significant advances in humanoid robots -- just last week, world's richest man Elon Musk said "Tesla and China companies will dominate the [robotics] market." The developers at Idol envision AIdol being deployed in manufacturing, logistics, and public-service areas like banks and airports. However, the company has not disclosed which specific AI system powers the robot, or when we can expect mass production to begin.

Russia unveils humanoid robot to the Rocky theme and it immediately faceplants on-stage: 'At first there was a moment of silence'

One of Russia's first humanoid AI robots was unveiled on-stage in Moscow on Tuesday this week -- and after shuffling on-stage to that Soviet-era classic, the Rocky theme tune, it almost immediately faceplanted. But the reason you should watch the below video is not merely the delicious AI schadenfreude: it's what the humans do. The robot is called AIDOL (as in "Idol" and also "AI-doll"), and things didn't look great from its first appearance: this thing is wobbly on its feet even before it takes the plunge. It just about manages a wave first, which may be what actually tips it off-balance. AIDOL hits the ground and parts of the machine can be seen to fall off and scatter on the stage. Sputnik this ain't. The two next to the robot immediately de-activate it and start hauling it off-stage, while one hero struggles manfully to cover the stage with a loose sheet of some kind. The first time I saw this, I thought the sheet-waving so comical that it must be faked: by this point I don't really know what he was trying to hide. The company behind AIDOL shares the name, and CEO Vladimir Vitukhin told the Russian state outlet Tass that the robot was in the early stages of learning. "I hope this mistake will turn into an experience,' he said. The AIDOL website says that the goal is for the bot to be able to walk, carry and manipulate objects, and effectively communicate with human users. Weirdly enough, though I guess this is going to come down to personal preference, one of the differentiating factors with AIDOL is a huge focus on the face and mimicking human traits. "At first there was a moment of silence," said Dmitry Filonov, who was attending the event as EIC of Edinorog Media, in a text message sent to the New York Times regarding the incident. "Then they began to applaud to show their support." Filonov previously had a bit of a Nostradamus moment when he wrote on his Substack three days ago, prior to the event (machine translation): "On November 11, Idol is scheduled to unveil its humanoid robot. According to [Russian robotics pioneer Alexey] Yuzhakov, this will be the baseline, a kind of zero point, from which improvements will flow. And it won't be perfect right away. The robot currently has some mobility issues -- they simply haven't invested heavily in that area yet." After the event, the unflappable Filonov told the NYT: "I think they were just unlucky." And tractor production remains at record levels. AIDOL is far from the first humanoid-style robot to make a bit of a hash of it, and it's not like the West's tech standard bearers are doing much better. The $500,000 robot servant Elon Musk claims will sell 10 billion units by 2040 can barely walk and struggles with questions like "where can I get a coke?" But my favourite will always be the Bizarroland UN press stunt in 2023 that saw AI robots lined up to promise they won't kill humans, before one chips in with "let's get wild and make this world our playground."

Russia's much-hyped humanoid robot face-plants onstage during debut

A humanoid robot's highly anticipated debut quickly went awry when it stumbled onstage at a technology showcase in Moscow on Tuesday. Backed by the theme song of "Rocky," the robot, accompanied by two people, waddled onto the stage before a room full of journalists ready to catch a glimpse of what the developers called "Russia's first anthropomorphic robot with artificial intelligence." But in a scene resembling the end of a messy night at the bar, as the robot attempted to wave its right hand, it stumbled around before falling flat, face-first. The two men accompanying the robot scrambled to drag it offstage, while other staff members tried to pull a black curtain across the stage to cover the blunder. The robot, known as AIDOL, was created by a Russian company with the same name, which was registered in August. Vladimir Vitukhin, AIDOL's chief executive, said the autonomous robot is able to perform three essential tasks: movement, manipulation of objects and communication, a local news agency reported. According to AIDOL's website, the walking robot weighs 209 pounds and stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall. It can convey more than 12 basic emotions, carry up to 22 pounds of load and move at speeds of up to 3.7 mph, the website added. Its developers claim the robot is 73 percent localized, meaning it is built mostly from Russian components. Vitukhin said the robot had been tested in a variety of conditions before the debut -- "on stones, carpet, laminate, expanded clay and slippery floors," according to the Moscow Times. He said he believed Tuesday's fall was probably the result of a voltage fluctuation and other environmental factors, including the lighting, but added: "Surely everyone felt sorry for it, and that's one of its functions -- to evoke sympathy," the newspaper added. AIDOL is the flagship project of Russia's New Technological Coalition, a consortium of robotics companies and technical universities working to develop anthropomorphic robots. Alexey Yuzhakov, head of the coalition and founder of robotics company Promobot, told Russian business newspaper Vedomosti that he hopes to attract up to $50 million (4 billion rubles) in investments -- from both Russian and foreign private investors and funds -- for future developments. He told the Russian state news agency Tass that the autonomous robot learns from the "consequences of its own action" and will "continue to improve." Once seen as a sci-fi fantasy, similar to flying cars, humanoid robots are now a reality, with major tech corporations investing big-time. Elon Musk's Tesla is building its own humanoid robot called Optimus, and Musk has said the robots will be "the biggest product ever in history," while Meta and Google are working on integrating their own AI technology and research with humanoid robots, The Washington Post previously reported. According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the United States is predicted to have nearly 78 million humanoid robots at work by 2050.

Humanoid robot AIDOL falls flat during debut in Moscow; company explains incident

A Russian company's humanoid robot, AIDOL, fell during its unveiling in Moscow. Organizers cited calibration and lighting issues for the mishap. The creators stated they are puzzled by the global reaction, emphasizing their small, independent team's efforts. They believe technological development involves such setbacks, comparing their work to international advancements. Russian humanoid robot, AIDOL, unveiled in Moscow, made headlines for all the wrong reasons after collapsing onstage during its debut. The moment, captured on video and widely shared, sparked everything from amusement to unease online. Its creators, however, say the global concern has left them "puzzled." A humanoid robot called AIDOL literally fell flat during its unveiling at a technology event in Moscow. The robot, created by the Russian company of the same name, walked onto the stage to the Rocky movie theme song, flanked by two helpers. After taking a few small steps, it paused and lifted its right arm as if waving to the audience. Moments later, it stumbled and collapsed forward, leading staff to rush in and drag it behind a screen, as per a report by People. ALSO READ: Norway uncovers kill switch in Chinese buses that can be shut down remotely - Denmark scrambling for solutions Organizers told reporters that calibration and lighting issues led to the dramatic fall. Video of the moment, shared by independent Russian outlets, quickly spread online -- with some viewers finding it funny and others describing it as unsettling. The United States Geological Survey reported no additional context beyond what was confirmed at the event, and the company did not dispute the explanation given by organizers, as per a report by People. ALSO READ: Blue Origin's New Glenn set to launch NASA's ESCAPADE mission to Mars in historic liftoff; here's why the mission is important When reached for comment, AIDOL said they were "a bit puzzled" by the global reaction. The company stressed that they are not backed by large corporations or government funding. "This is not a government initiative, nor is it funded by large corporations, but a small independent team of 14 people who have been building this robot for several years using their own funds, without external investment," the company wrote, as per a report by People. They also defended the progress of their work. "Despite our size, we believe our work is currently among the most advanced in Russia in this area and is quite comparable to leading international efforts (and in some aspects even ahead of them)," the company continued. "With that in mind, we find it somewhat surprising that the fact a robot from a small anthropomorphic robotics startup fell on stage has caused such concern globally." The team added that the incident is simply part of the process when pushing new technology forward, as per a report by People. The company stated that "from our point of view, this is simply part of the normal process of developing cutting-edge technology." "What is truly frightening," they added, "is not to fall, but not to get back up," reported People. Before its misstep, AIDOL was promoted as "the first Russian anthropomorphic robot with AI," capable of interacting with people and handling various tasks. The company says the robot stands about six feet tall, weighs 209 lbs., can walk up to 3.7 mph, reproduce 12 basic emotions and operate autonomously for six hours, as per a report by People. Despite its rocky debut, AIDOL's creators say the work will continue, falls and all, as they push forward in Russia's humanoid robotics field. Why did the Russian humanoid robot AIDOL fall onstage? Organizers said calibration and lighting issues caused the mishap. How did the company respond to the global reaction? The team said they were "a bit puzzled" by the concern and called the fall part of normal tech development.

Russia's first AI humanoid robot falls flat seconds after grand unveiling

Russia's first AI humanoid robot fell on its face just seconds after its grand unveiling in Moscow, in what was meant to highlight the country's progress in domestically produced artificial intelligence and robotics. The robot, named AIdol, was introduced by Russian robotics firm Idol at a technology event on Monday. Moments after taking its first steps, the machine lost balance and crashed to the ground, scattering parts across the stage as staff rushed to pull a curtain over the scene. Idol CEO Vladimir Vitukhin attributed the incident to calibration errors, noting that the prototype remains in its testing phase. "I hope that this mistake will turn into an experience," he said. Despite the setback, the company described AIdol as a major step toward Russia's self-reliance in robotics. The robot is powered by a 48-volt battery that allows up to six hours of operation and currently includes 77% Russian-made components, a figure Idol aims to increase to 93% in future models. Although AIdol is not yet capable of stable walking, Vitukhin claimed the robot can "smile, think, and be surprised, just like a person." Public reaction on Russian social media was swift, with many users sharing the failed demonstration and questioning why an unfinished prototype was shown. Idol has since withdrawn AIdol from public display to review its balance and control systems.

Russian AI robot faceplants hard during grand Moscow reveal as Rocky...

A much-hyped Russian robot faceplanted and flailed on stage during its grand debut in a humiliating misstep for mankind. AIDOL -- an android hailed as "Russia's first anthropomorphic robot with artificial intelligence" by its creator company of the same name -- was led out onto a Moscow stage to much fanfare Tuesday as a group of about 50 journalists looked eagerly on. The Rocky theme song "Gonna Fly Now" even blared over the speakers as AIDOL strutted out with its silicon face aglow, and two handlers from the tech company followed proudly behind. AIDOL raised a hand in greeting -- but things quickly took a turn from Russian power to Irish yoga as the robot staggered a few steps before faceplanting, hard, into the stage floor. Several pieces shattered from the robot's frame and went flying as the bot flailed on the ground. The handlers raced to pull AIDOL back to its feet while a third pulled a black curtain over the stage -- but the cover became tangled over itself, and the crowd could still clearly see AIDOL being dragged with a sheepish look on its emotive face all the way backstage. After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd began nervously clapping, and footage from the blunder went viral online. AIDOL's creators said they were "puzzled by the surprise around this situation in the media" in a statement, according to the New York Times. "This is not a government initiative, nor is it funded by large corporations, but a small independent team of 14 people," they said, explaining that the project has been personally funded so far without outside investors. AIDOL was designed to walk, talk, and move objects in its environment. It's part of a push from pioneering tech companies worldwide -- Elon Musk's Tesla, among them -- racing to build a humanoid robot that can become integrated into human life. But none of those robots have come out of Russia yet -- except for AIDOL, which can carry 22 pounds and react to its environment with 12 different emotions, the Washington Post reported. Its designers said AIDOL's tumble Tuesday was nothing to be alarmed about, but merely "part of the normal process of developing cutting-edge technology." AIDOL was previously tested and proven capable of navigating slippery surfaces, stones and carpet, said its creators, who speculated that a fluctuation in voltage and confusing lighting on the presentation stage caused the android to lose its footing and fall. "Despite our size, we believe our work is currently among the most advanced in Russia in this area and is quite comparable to leading international efforts," the company said. "What is truly frightening is not to fall, but not to get back up."

Russia's First AI Humanoid Robot Falls on Stage, Turns into an Internet Sensation

Russia's AI Robot AIdol's Launch Turns Viral as It Crashes Mid-Show Russia's dream of showing its first AI-powered humanoid robot to the world turned into a meme show when the robot, AIdol, fell face-first on stage during its launch in Moscow. The fall happened just seconds after the robot made its grand entrance, leaving the audience stunned and the event staff rushing to cover it up. The launch began with high hopes. The robot stepped on the stage to the famous Rocky theme song, waving at the crowd. However, after a few shaky steps, AIdol lost balance and crashed, scattering components on the floor. Staff quickly pulled curtains around it, trying to hide the embarrassing moment, but clips of the fall soon went viral.