A humanoid robot unveiled by a Russian robotics company as the "AI Sputnik" suffered an embarrassing fall during its first public appearance.

According to the New York Post and other outlets on November 13 (local time), Russian robotics company AIDOL held a demonstration event in Moscow, Russia, where it introduced its humanoid robot, AIDOL, for the first time.

The company has promoted AIDOL as "Russia's first artificial intelligence-based humanoid robot."

During the event, AIDOL appeared on stage amid dazzling lights and music. The robot raised its hand as if to greet the audience, but after taking just a few steps, it fell face-first onto the stage floor. Part of the robot's frame broke off and flew away, and it was seen flailing on the ground.

A humanoid robot developed by a Russian robotics company fell down during a demonstration. Photo captured from YouTube Memology 101

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Company staff rushed to help the robot up, while another employee tried to hide the scene with a black curtain. However, the curtain became tangled, and the robot being dragged offstage was fully exposed to the audience. Despite the awkward atmosphere, the crowd applauded, and footage of the incident quickly spread online.

Internet users abroad mocked the incident, with some saying, "It looks like the robot drank too much vodka out of nerves before going on stage." Another commented, "At least Russia doesn't have to worry about accidentally creating Skynet." Skynet is the fictional military AI from the movie "Terminator 2," which, in the film, organizes a robot army that ultimately destroys humanity.

A humanoid robot developed by a Russian robotics company fell down during a demonstration. Photo by Memology 101 on YouTube

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AIDOL is a robot developed with capabilities such as walking, speaking, and moving objects in its environment. It can carry up to 10 kilograms and is equipped with 12 different emotional expressions. The Washington Post reported that, in fact, this model is the only humanoid robot publicly unveiled in Russia.

As the incident sparked controversy, the manufacturer of AIDOL explained that it was a project created independently by a small in-house team. The company emphasized that "such incidents are common in the development of advanced technology." They added that previous tests had involved various environments such as slippery floors, stones, and carpets, and suggested that "stage lighting and voltage fluctuations may have caused the loss of balance."

The manufacturer stated, "While our team is small, we believe we possess the most advanced technology in Russia," adding, "What is truly frightening is not falling down, but being unable to get back up again."