Yandex will make humanoid robots

Yandex announced the start of work on a software platform for humanoid robots. In the future, the company doesn’t rule out launching its own production of such machines. The project was one of the first to receive support from the new internal investment fund Yet Another Tech Fund, created to develop scientific and technological initiatives of the company’s employees.

Andex is one of the first companies to receive support from the new internal investment fund Yet Another Tech Fund.

Yandex will initially focus on developing software that provides basic mobility for humanoid robots in real-world environments. We are talking about algorithms that will allow the machine to walk, climb stairs, open doors, pass through turnstiles, lift and carry cargo.

Yandex will focus on the development of algorithms that will allow the robot to walk, climb stairs, open doors, pass turnstiles, lift and carry cargo.

These tasks will be the first step toward creating full-fledged autonomous robots. In the future, Yandex plans to take over the entire cycle: from software development to the design and production of robots, which will make it possible to customize the platform for specific tasks and bring the product to the market faster.

At the same time, Yandex is planning to take over the entire cycle: from software development to the design and production of robots.

Where it will take place

The project is being worked on inside the Yandex B2B Tech -the same division that oversees unmanned transportation projects. The team has already been formed, and recruitment of new specialists is actively underway. The engineers are now developing an operating system for controlling the robot’s basic modules, and the next stage will be testing in real conditions.

Why bet on humanoids

The main advantage of humanoid robots is no need to rebuild infrastructure. They can work where people work: in warehouses, offices, shopping centers, and even residential buildings. Possible scenarios include indoor logistics, site patrols, customer and employee assistance.

What’s behind the project

The new initiative is funded by the Yet Another Tech Fund, which will receive 330 million rubles with the possibility of increasing in 2025. Any Yandex employee can apply for funding. The company emphasizes that the fund was created to support engineering initiatives within the ecosystem.

Who else is working on humanoid robotics

The global market for humanoid robots is just starting to take shape, but it’s growing rapidly. According to Fortune Business Insights, it is expected to be worth $3.28 billion in 2024 and grow to $66 billion by 2032.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the market is expected to be worth $3.28 billion in 2024 and grow to $66 billion by 2032.

In 2023, Apptronik introduced Apollo, a robot designed to work in warehouses. In 2024 Boston Dynamics showed a new version of Atlas with the ability to plan complex movements. Similar projects are being developed by Meta*, Tesla, as well as Russian companies Promobot and AlfaRobotics.

According to experts, Russia is now actively developing both industrial and service robots, as well as robotic platforms for medicine, logistics, education and defense. However, most projects are still at the prototype stage, and the market is facing problems of import substitution, lack of specialists and limited funding.

* Owned by Meta, it is recognized as an extremist organization in Russia and its activities are banned.

Material Yandex will make humanoid robots was first published on ITZine.ru.