In Russia, an AI-Powered Smart Coach Trains Welders
A new smart training device developed in Russia is helping future welders learn faster, cut material waste, and reduce the burden on instructors by providing real-time feedback.
The innovative training system is designed to accelerate welding education and save resources, taking workforce training to a new technological level.
Researchers at Ufa State Petroleum Technological University have developed a smart welding trainer that assists beginners in real time, helping them correct mistakes as they work. According to the developers, the device reduces material consumption by 25 percent and speeds up specialist training by 30 percent.
Hold It Steady
The system is a compact sensor-equipped gadget that attaches directly to a welding torch. If a trainee holds the tool at an incorrect angle, the trainer sends an alert through vibration and light signals. It effectively acts as a personal digital mentor, allowing mistakes to be corrected immediately instead of reworking a flawed weld.
The key advantages of the Russian-developed system are its practicality and affordability. Its production cost is three times lower than that of foreign counterparts, making it attractive for colleges and training centers. At the same time, the device frees instructors from constant one-on-one supervision, allowing them to manage an entire group more effectively.
An Ecosystem for Workforce Training
Project co-author and instructor Azamat Ilalov says that successful technology projects begin not with an abstract idea, but with a deep understanding of a specific problem and a systematic approach to solving it. “We are creating not just a gadget, but an entire ecosystem for workforce training,” he notes.
The development team has ambitious plans. In the near future, they intend to add a feature that monitors weld seam width, and by 2026 they plan to launch a cloud platform. It will allow instructors to track each student’s progress remotely and in real time, analyzing all key performance parameters.
The digital transformation of vocational education is improving the quality of training for specialists in critical industries, from oil and gas to mechanical engineering. This represents a direct contribution to technological sovereignty and the strengthening of human capital, an issue that is especially important amid global competition.
