Video: Russian airline tests humanoid robot as in-flight attendant

Russian airline Pobeda has become the first in the world to deploy a humanoid robot, named "Volodya," as part of its in-flight cabin crew on the Ulyanovsk-Moscow route. During the trial flight on November 12, Volodya greeted passengers, delivered safety instructions, and interacted with travelers, enhancing the passenger experience despite not serving food or beverages. The robot, resembling a Unitree G1 model, demonstrated reinforcement learning technology by mimicking flight attendant actions, drawing significant interest from passengers who took photos with it. However, the introduction of humanoid robots in aviation has sparked mixed reactions. Some social media users expressed concerns about robots potentially replacing human jobs and questioned the necessity of such automation. Others humorously highlighted risks if the robot malfunctioned during flight. Despite these concerns, other airlines like Qatar Airways are also exploring humanoid robots equipped with conversational AI to assist passengers, while manufacturers such as Hyundai and Kia are developing wearable robots for aviation assembly and maintenance. The