Report: Russia's High-Tech Robot Is Just a Man in a Suit

A high-tech robot, who was shown on state television in Russia, turned out to be nothing more than a man in a costume, The Guardian newspaper says.

Russian television, in its coverage of a youth forum aimed at robotics, showed the "robot" and even noted it had learned to dance. But bloggers in Russia soon began to raise questions about the robot called "Boris," The Guardian notes.

Where were its external sensors? And why did it make so many "unnecessary movements" while dancing?

The news agency, MBKh Media, later appeared to show an actor in the robot suit just before the forum, which was held about 150 miles outside of Moscow.

And The Guardian reported the actual costume is called "Alyosha the Robot" and comes equipped with a microphone and tablet display. It is said to create the "near total illusion that before you stands a real robot."

According to the newspaper MBKh Media reported organizers did not try to intentionally mislead people into believing it was real.

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