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.
The humanoid robot was built by Russian tech firm Idol, led by CEO Vladimir Vitukhin, who said the fall happened because of ‘calibration and setup errors.’ He explained that AIdol is still in its testing stage and that mistakes like this help improve future versions. According to Vitukhin, the robot is made with about 77% Russian components, and the company hopes to increase that number in upcoming models.
Despite the mishap, Idol claimed the project shows Russia’s growing efforts in AI and robotics. The robot can recognize faces, show expressions, and is powered by a 48-volt system with a battery that lasts up to six hours. However, the crash highlighted the tough challenge of building robots that can walk and balance like humans, something even advanced companies like Boston Dynamics and Tesla have struggled with.
The fall became an internet sensation. Videos of the moment went viral on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where users turned them into memes and jokes. Some compared it to a comedy skit, while others called it a ‘symbol of Russian reality.’ One post joked, ‘Russia’s first humanoid robot couldn’t handle its own debut.’
Despite the jokes and criticism, the team behind AIdol remained firm in their determination to continue perfecting the robot. Engineers are now fixing the robot’s sensors and balance system before planning another public test.
The AIdol’s fall may have been embarrassing, but it also reminded everyone of the challenges involved in making lifelike robots. Every stumble, the company says, is just another step toward progress in Russia’s robotics journey.
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