Russia’s first AI humanoid robot, Aldol, suffered a dramatic mishap just seconds after being unveiled at a technology event in Moscow on Tuesday. As the robot was being lead on stage to the iconic soundtrack from the film ‘Rocky,’ it suddenly lost its balance and fell to the ground. Reports from the scene describe onlookers scrambling to cover the robot with a cloth in an attempt to protect it, although the cloth became entangled with the robot’s movements, exacerbating the situation.
Developers of Aldol attributed the incident to technical issues, specifically poor lighting conditions in the venue and calibration problems with the robot’s stereo cameras. They explained that the cameras are highly sensitive to variations in light levels, which may have caused the robot to lose its spatial awareness. The incident has sparked discussions about the challenges of integrating advanced AI systems into real-world environments, particularly in dynamic and unpredictable settings like public events.
The event, held in Moscow, was part of a broader showcase of Russian technological advancements, with Aldol intended to highlight the country’s progress in artificial intelligence and robotics. However, the mishap has raised questions about the current state of the technology and the readiness of such systems for public display. Despite the incident, developers have pledged to address the technical shortcomings and continue refining the capabilities of Aldol for future performances and applications.