Russian Railways test 'robot conductor' Volodya on Sapsan train

Russian Railways (RZD) reported that a humanoid robot named Volodya made a test trip on train No. 768. According to the company, its duties included greeting passengers during boarding, checking documents and tickets, and assisting passengers in finding their seats. Additionally, Volodya conducted a wine tasting in the bistro car. RZD did not disclose the robot's manufacturer, the specifics of its operation, or plans for scaling the project. In June 2026, TASS reported that RZD might start using robots to assist conductors, mentioning that a solution had been tested in the Lastochka train without passengers and that the company was receiving and reviewing test proposals from various manufacturers. In 2024, RZD tested robot dogs on potentially dangerous sections of the railway, and in 2026, they discussed the use of autonomous cleaning robots at Moscow and St. Petersburg stations, as well as a robot for cleaning station squares and platforms.