Russia’s airline debuts world’s first humanoid robot flight attendant

A video shared by AirPro News on Nov. 17 shows the robot, Volodya, working alongside human staff on a flight from Ulyanovsk to Moscow. The robot assisted with greeting passengers at the gate, providing safety instructions, and interacting with passengers throughout the flight. Volodya is equipped with advanced reinforcement learning technology, allowing it to mimic human flight attendants, Interesting Engineering reported.

Though Volodya did not serve food or drinks after takeoff, its presence contributed to a more engaging flight experience. Pobeda staff noted that passengers were excited to interact with the robot and even asked for photos.

 

 

Russia’s airline debuts world’s first humanoid robot flight attendant

Robot hình người đầu tiên làm tiếp viên hàng không

The robot resembles the G1 model from Chinese company Unitree Robotics, although the airline has not confirmed this detail. The G1, introduced in May of the previous year, stands at 1.2 meters tall, weighs 35 kilograms, and features 23-43 motors that enable its arms, body, and head to move in a way that mimics human actions. It previously gained attention for participating in a boxing match and engaging in conversations using Gen Z slang during a stroll in the U.S.

A video featuring Volodya, posted by the Valuetainment Instagram account, sparked debate over the role of robots on airplanes, according to The Sun. Some raised concerns that humanoid robots might replace human flight attendants, threatening jobs in the aviation industry. Others questioned the usefulness of robots in such roles, fearing malfunctions, such as accidentally opening the aircraft doors.

Other airlines are also exploring automation. In March 2024, Qatar Airways will introduce a digital flight crew powered by AI, capable of answering passengers' questions in real-time. In June this year, Korean Air revealed the X-ble Shoulder, a wearable robot exoskeleton developed by Hyundai Motors and Kia, designed to reduce shoulder strain and assist human workers with aircraft assembly and maintenance, as reported by The Korea Times.