The Russian Government is experimenting with American-produced humanoid robots to take the place of humans in some Public Service offices.
Manufactured by the Philadelphia-based Promobot company, the robots had a shaky start in the United States.
They were used in New York for surveying passers-by about possible COVID-19 symptoms, giving advice about avoiding the virus, and handing out face masks.
However, they were kicked out of a local park for lacking proper permits.
In Russia they have received a much better reception.
Promobot’s most recent robot (pictured) sits behind a desk in the western city of Perm, processing documents and filing requests into the Local Government information system.
It can also answer simple questions put to it by members of the public
A spokesperson for Promobot said the Russian robot’s appearance was developed based on several thousand women in the Perm area so that people would feel comfortable engaging with it.
“It can show the full spectrum of human emotions and facial expressions thanks to mechanical muscles that allow movement in the eyes, eyebrows, and lips,” the spokesperson said.
“Muscles under the robot’s artificial skin allow more than 600 facial expressions,” they said.
“It is also connected to hardware that can scan Government documents like passports or birth certificates.”
The spokesperson said the robot could react, produce the right documents, and scan signed versions into the Government system.
“Right now, other workers are testing out the robot and giving feedback to perfect the service,” the spokesperson said.
Moscow, 5 August 2020
