Bay code: Robocon with AI will help avoid injury when learning to ride

An interactive simulator based on a biomechanical model and a digital twin of a horse allows you to practice the rider's landing and movements in a safe environment, including for children — without strain on the animal and danger to humans. The solution can be used in educational and training programs, as well as in simulators, games, and VR applications. In addition, the model is planned to be used to create realistic 3D avatars for training, training and entertainment. The project has already passed the acceleration programs of the Skolkovo Technopark and ITMO University and, according to the developers, has no analogues in Russia due to the presence of six degrees of freedom.

Where a biomechanical horse is useful

Russia has developed an interactive riding simulator based on a biomechanical horse model and artificial intelligence technologies. The solution allows you to safely practice the rider's landing, balance and movements — without the risk of injury and stress on the animal. The project is being implemented by the EqutEch team, led by Vadim Ustinov, a mechanical engineer, inventor, and winner of the Moscow 2025 Innovator Mayor's Award.

The system is based on a digital horse twin that reproduces the real kinematics of the animal's movement: stride, trot, gallop, transitions between gaits, as well as the characteristic body vibrations. Algorithms analyze the rider's position and the correctness of his actions, forming feedback in real time.

— We have created a biomechanical model that mimics the dynamics of a live horse as accurately as possible. This is not just a simulator with a mechanical drive, but an intelligent system capable of adapting to the student's level of training," said Vadim Ustinov.

The development is primarily focused on educational and training programs. According to the statistics of the relevant federations, a significant part of injuries in equestrian sports occur at the initial stage of training, when the rider still does not know how to keep balance and react correctly to the movements of the animal. Using the simulator will allow you to practice basic skills in a controlled environment.

— Our goal is to lower the entry threshold into equestrian sports and make the first classes as safe as possible, especially for children. Robocon eliminates the unpredictable factor of animal behavior, but at the same time retains realistic sensations, — said Ustinov.

In addition to educational applications, the technology may be in demand in the entertainment and digital product industries. The biomechanical model is suitable for creating realistic 3D avatars and integrating them into VR applications, game simulations, and learning platforms. According to the developers, this opens up opportunities for new formats of sports simulators and immersive content.

The project has already passed the acceleration programs of the Skolkovo Technopark and ITMO University. In the future, the team plans to scale the technology and offer it to equestrian schools, rehabilitation centers, and educational institutions. According to the developers, there are no similar solutions on the Russian market yet.

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Development of the exercise bike sector

The appearance of such a project on the Russian market can only be welcomed, said Alexander Didenko, head of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo. According to him, the market of exercise bikes with a realistic mathematical model of animal movement has already been developed abroad, and the domestic solution logically fits into the course of technological sovereignty. At the same time, the project, according to his information, is mainly at the laboratory stage.

— This is an ambitious application, which still lacks a ready-made industrial design. However, six degrees of freedom — more than a number of Western models — indicate a serious engineering base. The potential of the platform is wide: based on it, you can create simulators that simulate the movements of various animals," he added.

IT expert Sergey Pomortsev also called the task difficult and ambitious. In his opinion, the project will need to strengthen its team to move to mass production.

— The student rate is interesting, but the industrial level requires experienced engineers and specialists in mechatronics. At the same time, the product can be in demand not only in education, but also in the entertainment industry, including VR and game simulations," he stressed.

The practice of working with simulators has long been introduced in Europe, for example in Germany and the Netherlands, where equestrian sports are number one. This eliminates many difficulties during the first steps in learning to ride, and a person who is prepared for what awaits him in terms of biomechanics of movement in rhythm with a horse already sits on a live partner, Olga Kovyrzina, a master of sports, multiple winner and prize-winner of national and international dressage competitions, told Izvestia.

— Strong visualization does not always have sufficient scientific and methodological support. In equestrian sports, not only biomechanics is important, but also the interaction of humans and horses as a single system. Therefore, the implementation of such solutions requires a careful approach. At the same time, the development may be interesting for popularization in the entertainment sector," said Elena Skarzhinskaya, Deputy Director for Scientific and Methodological Work at the Surgut District Sports School — Center for Digital Sports, a certified expert at the Council for Professional Qualifications in the Field of Physical Culture and Sports.

Dmitry Shtanenko, head of the Reporting Department at the Sports Training Center, considers the technology promising from the point of view of teaching methods.

— Consistent learning of complex exercises really helps to build skills, and the simulator can be useful at the initial training stage. But children come to equestrian sports, including for the sake of communicating with animals, so integrating technology into the educational process will not be easy. At the same time, the project can be commercially successful in an entertainment format using VR," he said.

In general, experts agree that such technologies can become part of a broader digitalization of sports training. The use of such doubles and AI models makes it possible to standardize the initial stage of training, reduce costs and increase the safety of the training process, they believe.