Russian Railways (RZD) are planning to introduce robot porters to assist passengers with large and oversized luggage. The first 50 robots will be tested at Moscow train stations.
Robot porters will be able to follow passengers with bulky luggage, focusing on their movement using sensors and computer vision. This innovation will speed up and reduce the cost of baggage moving services, as well as reduce the use of human labor, especially in cases where the weight and size of baggage are problematic. Passengers will be able to call the robot and pay for its services through a mobile application. It is assumed that the maximum load capacity of the robot will be 30kg (66lb), and the robot itself will be able to autonomously charge and return to its base.
Investments in the project will be determined after approval of technology proposals and depend on the cost of specific samples. Applications for development are accepted until the end of December.
Currently, porter services at Russian Railways stations cost from 320 to 440 rubles, and for an additional 750 rubles, an employee can move luggage between Yaroslavsky, Leningradsky and Kazansky train stations.
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