Russia to Launch Mass Production of Mobile Warehouse Robots by 2027

Yandex has developed a prototype of a mobile order-picking robot with computer vision, aiming to bring affordable automation to warehouses across Russia.

Yandex has designed a prototype of a mobile robot for warehouse order picking, with serial production planned for 2027. The new machine is equipped with computer vision and can operate autonomously on the warehouse floor.

Besides advanced functionality, the robots will be competitively priced, opening opportunities for adoption not only by large enterprises but also by smaller companies. They are expected to be 5–8 times more cost-effective than popular foreign counterparts, which currently sell for $300,000–$500,000. Experts estimate that Russian robots will pay for themselves within three years.

The robots can handle up to 10 metric tons of cargo during a 12-hour shift. Their productivity is achieved through well-thought-out design: the order pickers are built on the platform of an inventory robot, equipped with vacuum-grip manipulators, and outfitted with cameras powered by a computer vision system that can assess the depth and position of items.

Analysts predict strong growth in demand for autonomous robots in Russia in the coming years. In addition to Yandex, other companies are investing in warehouse automation with their own models. Marketplace Ozon has launched a dedicated team, Ozon Tech, for this purpose. Meanwhile, Wildberries has already automated 30% of its warehouse operations and is aiming for at least 70%.