Russian Developers Take Another Step Toward Automating the Service Sector
Robots are expected to fill staffing gaps in food service, transport, and retail.
Students at the Moscow Aviation Institute and Stankin Moscow State Technological University are developing a modern robotic platform for the service sector, according to the universities’ press services.
The project initially focused on building a robotic attendant for high-speed rail lines operated by Russian Railways. The team soon realized, however, that labor shortages are not limited to the rail industry.
Administrator or Sales Assistant
The MAI-developed robot can replace an office or retail administrator, greeting visitors, checking documents, offering services, or answering questions. It is equipped with a multimedia system and an AI-powered chat interface, as well as a platform for autonomous movement and object handling.
Developers have prioritized communication features. The Russian mobile assistant is significantly more compact than comparable market solutions, allowing it to operate in confined spaces and enabling its functionality to be reconfigured quickly.
The team is currently refining the robot’s spatial orientation system, optimizing its component base, and introducing a new approach to visual navigation. In the near future, the robot could appear not only on trains, but also in offices and stores.
In Yakutia, a similar smart machine is already being used to deliver meals in school cafeterias.
