Russian Students Develop Assistive Robot to Aid Seniors and People with Disabilities

Support for Seniors

Russian students, together with engineers from the company Dvizh.Tech, created their own development at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI: the walker robot “Elik.” It is an experimental service robot intended to provide household support and accompany people with limited mobility. Elik can move autonomously at speeds of up to 20 km/h and navigate its environment. Though still a student project, it showcases the growing competencies of Russian universities in robotics.

The invention, conceived by Dvizh.Tech’s design bureau, will provide tangible support to elderly people and those with limited physical capabilities. It is also significant for Russian science as a whole, confirming the strengthening of university expertise and encouraging the development of engineering schools.

Moreover, Elik represents Russia’s contribution to the global trend of socially oriented robotics—an area that directly benefits people.

Looking Ahead

Despite the importance of the project, Elik is not yet positioned for export. For now, the robot is an educational and research initiative that could be used in social institutions, integrated into educational programs, or tested in pilot projects in medicine and caregiving. However, it still requires substantial upgrades.

My task was not easy: to assemble not a standard but an intelligent motor, sensitive to patient needs. It should activate only when the patient encounters difficulty. I believe I succeeded. Elik’s handles include foolproof protection against misuse, such as accelerating for fun, and a braking system. Overall, our walker is ready for testing

Vsevolod Sheichenko

third-year student at the Institute of Physics and Technology of Information Systems (MEPhI)

In particular, Elik must be enhanced with critical technological features such as speech recognition and integration with smart home systems. The project must also move toward commercialization as a startup.

Social Robots

Research into social robotics is underway in many countries. In Japan, for example, Panasonic’s caregiving robots have been deployed since 2021.

Russia is also advancing distinctive projects in this field. In 2023, Skoltech introduced “Marsel,” a service robot for logistics and internal transport. And in 2024, Bauman Moscow State Technical University launched a Center for the Development of Industrial Robotics, which now also supports service-focused projects.

Foundation of a Future Market

The new Elik robot is a strong example of how university projects can grow into practical solutions for the social sector. In the near future, the project may evolve into a prototype with expanded functions. At that stage, it could be piloted in medicine and social services. With support from grants and accelerators, Elik could eventually form the basis for a startup.

Looking further ahead, such initiatives lay the foundation for an emerging market of affordable assistive robots in Russia. With favorable conditions, projects like Elik could anchor this market in the near future.