In Russia, a Robot Learns to Win at Chess to Work Better on the Factory Floor
A robot developed by Russian engineers is training by playing chess against humans as it prepares for future industrial tasks
From Intellectual Game to Industrial Automation
In Moscow, engineers have introduced a chess‑playing robot that can already compete with human opponents and will soon be capable of performing full‑scale industrial operations. The project was presented by Industrial Automation, a resident of the Mosgormash technopark and a participant in the Moscow Innovation Cluster.
According to the city’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development, the robot was never intended as a leisure project: chess is merely a training ground for mastering complex, high‑precision actions.
Training for Real‑World Tasks
The robot confidently recognizes the arrangement of chess pieces, moves them accurately across the board and calculates strategies. But the development team is working to transform it from an intellectual demonstration into a universal industrial assistant.
According to CEO Roman Mikhailov, the key objective is to expand the robot’s capabilities using machine vision and artificial intelligence. Once equipped with these systems, the robot will be able to perform welding, load placement and fixation, as well as servicing CNC machines.
Machine Vision and Artificial Intelligence
Machine vision will be powered by a high‑speed camera. Images will be transmitted to a computing module, recognized and analyzed in real time. The AI unit will calculate the required operations, while the motion‑control module will build precise, collision‑free trajectories.
The same architecture allows the robot to play chess against several opponents simultaneously — a useful model for future parallel industrial tasks.
The project became possible thanks to Russia’s growing engineering capabilities and support from innovation‑oriented companies. The chess‑playing robot demonstrates how gaming technologies increasingly serve as a foundation for real, high‑impact industrial solutions.
