In Moscow, at the Smart City pavilion within VDNKh, a new kind of autonomous device nicknamed the AI Kolobok drew attention during testing. This spherical, self-propelled unit is designed with the potential to serve as a courier for small parcels over time, reflecting a growing interest in mobile service robots in urban environments. The reveal was noted on the official site of the city mayor, signaling government interest in pilot programs that blend robotics with everyday city life.
The AI Kolobok measures about 40 centimeters in diameter. It incorporates a computer vision module that helps it recognize surroundings and navigate safely, as well as built in speakers to communicate with nearby people. When in motion, the robot completes a full 360-degree rotation to maintain awareness of its surroundings. Officials envision it patrolling streets and handling light delivery tasks for documents and small goods, offering a glimpse of how parcel and information flow might be managed in the near future.
Shopper’s publication notes that the development of the AI Kolobok is led by the Russian tech company Edcar. Leonid Golofeev, the firm’s general manager, explained that the robot is controlled through a next generation 5G network, which provides the low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity needed for real time sensing, decision making, and interaction with people on the move. This edge of connectivity is essential for maintaining smooth operation in busy urban settings and for enabling rapid updates as software evolves.
At present, Edcar has only produced a prototype of the AI Kolobok. The team’s near term plan is to advance to a minimum viable product stage, focusing on validating core capabilities in real-world conditions while gathering user feedback to refine performance, safety, and efficiency. The venture seeks to demonstrate how compact autonomous robots can integrate with existing municipal services and last mile logistics without heavy infrastructure changes.
Earlier reports from Cherepovets highlighted another advanced system featuring an artificial intelligence microphone array designed to identify aerial drones by sound. This project illustrates a broader trend toward sensor-based city solutions that combine acoustic recognition with intelligent processing to enhance security, traffic management, and operational efficiency. Taken together, these developments point to a growing ecosystem of smart devices that could reshape how cities respond to everyday demands and emergencies, while also prompting discussions about privacy, safety, and the responsibilities of deployment across public spaces.