HSE Unveils Anthropomorphic Courier Robot
From April 1 to 3, 2026, the Fourth Robotics Festival took place, with the HSE Faculty of Computer Science acting as the main organiser. The event featured the presentation of the anthropomorphic courier robot Arkus. The humanoid was introduced by the Institute for Robotic Systems, established jointly by HSE University and the EFKO Group of Companies.
Nikita Anisimov
‘We hold the festival in an open format, which is extremely important, as HSE is a university for everyone. Anyone can engage with robotics and the most advanced technologies, opportunities, and innovations. That is truly invaluable,’ said HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov.
Ivan Arzhantsev, Dean of the HSE Faculty of Computer Science, believes that information technology is experiencing an unprecedented boom. ‘A great deal has already been achieved, but even more remains to be done. A breakthrough requires strong human capital—we must attract the most talented students to this field. This is a direct mission of our faculty,’ he noted.
HSE First Vice Rector Leonid Gokhberg believes that the Robotics Festival has already gained recognition within the professional community, and that the discussions held there engage leading experts. ‘Today, several important developments have converged: you are witnessing the first presentation of a Russian anthropomorphic robot and the first presentation of the newly established HSE Institute for Robotic Systems,’ he emphasised.
Festival guests were welcomed by the anthropomorphic courier robot Arkus. The presentation was delivered by Rostislav Kovalevskiy, EFKO Innovation Director and Director of the Institute for Robotic Systems. He stressed that the focus is not on a single robot or technical solution, but on the creation of integrated autonomous systems. These systems will only be effective if they genuinely improve people’s lives.
Such systems must satisfy both rational and emotional human needs, while also being embedded in an economically viable model
The proposed model of an integrated robotic delivery system combines several technological solutions:
- anthropomorphic robots
- roboports for servicing robots without human involvement
- a network of automated parcel lockers
The logistics model developed will significantly increase delivery speed and efficiency. Thanks to the integration of robotic solutions, consumers will gain access to a hypermarket range (over 20,000 product lines) with delivery available within one hour. At the same time, delivery costs are expected to decrease nearly fourfold.
The Arkus robot, which briskly walked around and waved to the audience, is capable of navigating autonomously in an urban environment, interacting with delivery infrastructure and people, and ensuring reliable transfer of orders to parcel lockers or directly to customers.
Rostislav Kovalevskiy also noted that the introduction of robotic systems into everyday life will require substantial effort, including regulatory work. Equally important is addressing ethical considerations, as robots in this model will enter the social space of humans and interact with them on a daily basis.
Rostislav Kovalevskiy, EFKO Innovation Director, Director of the HSE Institute for Robotic Systems:
— The HSE Institute for Robotic Systems was established to ensure conceptual leadership in autonomous systems—to create models for the use of robots that fundamentally transform people’s lives. A comprehensive model of autonomous urban logistics is precisely such a project.
Robots take on routine tasks so that humans can focus on more complex and engaging activities, making life more comfortable
The widespread adoption of autonomous systems, the necessary infrastructure, and digital platforms in everyday life is a matter for the near future. Even now, robots can solve certain types of tasks quickly, efficiently and at low cost, and over the next five years their capabilities are expected to increase dramatically.
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