An AI-powered robot named Green performed for President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday at a technology exhibition hosted by Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank. The event, broadcast on state television, highlighted the bank’s advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics. The demonstration featured Green, a humanoid robot, explaining its capabilities to Putin before dancing to its favorite track.
“My name is Green. I am the first Russian humanoid robot with embedded artificial intelligence. This means that I am not just a program on a screen, but a physical embodiment of technology,” the robot declared to Putin. Sberbank has announced plans to continually upgrade the robot’s software, with the potential for Green to perform various physical tasks. A pilot project is set to integrate the robot into certain business operations.
The spectacle was closely monitored by Putin’s security detail, with one bodyguard stepping in to ensure the robot maintained a safe distance from the Russian leader. Despite the unusual nature of the event, Putin praised the robot’s performance as “very beautiful” before continuing his tour of the exhibition.
Innovations on Display
In addition to the robot’s performance, Putin also explored Sberbank’s new generation of smart cash machines. These devices, equipped with cameras, can provide customers with health summaries based on ten indicators, including pulse and blood pressure. Putin commented on his recent health checkup, reassuring attendees that his health was in good condition.
This exhibition follows a recent incident involving another Russian AI robot, Aidol, which experienced a mishap during its Moscow debut. The robot fell flat on its face shortly after taking the stage, prompting organizers to quickly remove it from view. The incident drew attention to the challenges faced by Russia in the competitive field of AI-powered humanoid robots.
Learning from Setbacks
The fall of Aidol was witnessed by approximately 50 journalists, including Dmitry Filonov, editor-in-chief of Edinorog Media. Filonov described the audience’s reaction: “At first, there was a moment of silence. Then they began to applaud to show their support.”
Vladimir Vitukhin, AIDOL’s chief executive, addressed the incident, stating that the robot was still in the learning phase. “I hope this mistake will turn into an experience,” he told the Russian state news agency Tass. Vitukhin explained that the robot had been tested on various surfaces, including stones, carpet, laminate, expanded clay, and slippery floors. He attributed the fall to a possible voltage fluctuation and other environmental factors, such as lighting. “Surely everyone felt sorry for it, and that’s one of its functions – to evoke sympathy,” he added, as reported by the Moscow Times.
The Future of Russian Robotics
The contrasting outcomes of Green’s successful performance and Aidol’s mishap underscore the complexities and challenges of developing advanced robotics. As Russia seeks to establish itself in the global AI and robotics market, these events highlight the importance of resilience and adaptability in technological innovation.
Looking forward, Sberbank’s initiatives with Green and other AI projects may pave the way for further integration of robotics in various sectors. As these technologies evolve, they hold the potential to transform industries and redefine human-machine interactions.
As the world watches Russia’s progress in this field, the lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks will be crucial in shaping the future of AI and robotics on a global scale.
