Russia’s first AI-powered humanoid robot took an unfortunate tumble during its grand debut, falling flat on its face just seconds after stepping onto the stage at a technology event in Moscow.
Russia presented its human-like AI robot. It fell down as it walked onto the stage. pic.twitter.com/YAk7w2SsWV
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 11, 2025
The robot, named AIdol, was unveiled by Russian robotics company Idol at the New Technology Coalition Forum, which brought together developers from several firms working on humanoid robotics, including Promobot and Robot Corporation. The event was meant to showcase Russia’s progress in artificial intelligence and anthropomorphic robotics, highlighting the country’s push to compete globally in next-generation robotics.
However, the launch didn’t go as planned. As the humanoid robot made its entrance to the tune of Gonna Fly Now from Rocky, it staggered forward, raised its hand to wave, and then abruptly lost balance and crashed face-first onto the stage, scattering several of its components.
Staff quickly rushed to cover the fallen robot with a curtain, though the black cloth ended up tangled as the machine continued moving slightly on the ground. Video of the mishap quickly spread online, drawing laughter and mockery across social media.
Vladimir Vitukhin, CEO of Idol, explained that the fall was caused by calibration and lighting issues, emphasizing that AIdol is still in its testing phase.
“This is precisely the kind of real-time learning where a mistake turns into experience,” Vitukhin said. “I hope that this mistake becomes valuable experience.”
Despite the embarrassing debut, developers maintain that AIdol marks a significant step toward Russia’s technological independence, especially as the country works to replace foreign-made robotics systems that were lost after sanctions and supply chain disruptions.
The humanoid is powered by a 48-volt battery that can operate for up to six hours and is currently built with 77% domestically produced components — a figure Idol says will increase to 93% in future versions. AIdol is also designed to walk, interact with people, and express emotions like smiling and surprise.
Russia’s robotics development has struggled in recent years due to sanctions, a shortage of innovation, and the departure of top engineers following the invasion of Ukraine. In 2023, only about 2,100 robotic systems were installed across Russia, compared to 25,000 in Germany and 300,000 in China, highlighting the gap in progress.
After the mishap, developers removed AIdol from public display to inspect its balance and control systems. Later footage shared by state news agency TASS showed the robot making a steadier second appearance, supported by a string mechanism around its neck to help it stay upright — though pieces of its broken frame were still visible on stage.
While Idol insists the fall is just a temporary setback, the incident has sparked online jokes about Russia’s ambitious AI goals literally “falling flat.”
