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AIdol, Russia’s Debut Humanoid, Falls Onstage as Backlash Builds

Idol frames the fall as a calibration glitch, prompting backlash.

Overview

  • The November 10 demo in Moscow ended with the robot wobbling and falling forward as staff rushed to cover the scene with a black curtain and pull it offstage, leaving some parts behind.
  • CEO Vladimir Vitukhin said the prototype remains in testing and blamed calibration issues, while other reporting pointed to camera trouble in low light inside the hall.
  • Viral clips drew ridicule on social platforms, where users compared the stumble to a drunk person’s gait and popularized the nickname “VodkaBot.”
  • Idol touts AIdol as largely domestically built, claiming 77% Russian components, a 48‑volt battery for up to six hours, and 19 servomotors to support facial expressions and basic emotions.
  • Russian media reaction intensified, with TV host Wladimir Solowjow deriding the project and demanding harsh consequences for those responsible.