Russia is thinking about creating a unified platform for managing AI agents and robots

VTB Bank is exploring the possibility of developing Russia's first platform that will combine digital AI agents and physical robots in a single management environment. This is one of the projects of the Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in China, which VTB is developing together with its technology partner, T1.

According to the bank, the idea is based on the creation of a communication interface for interaction between AI agents and physical robots based on an already operating platform. "Robots and digital assistants will be presented as unified "cubes" that will not be limited to one task and can be combined with each other in various variations. For example, such robots can serve customers in bank branches, perform collection or security services, etc., and the settings of their functionality can constantly change depending on the needs of users," explained VTB.

To control robots, it is planned to use VLA models - neural networks that analyze voice, text, and visual data, as well as sensor signals, and based on them form commands for robot actions in the real world.

In addition, AI agents and robots will be able to exchange information, complementing each other's capabilities: the digital assistant will transmit analytical data to the robot, and the robot will send information about the physical environment collected using sensors to the system.

VTB has completed the development of the basic version of the project. The next step will be to purchase robots in China through the AI Competence Center.

"This is the next step in the robotization and development of AI agents. This merger will open up new opportunities for automating processes in the financial sector, and in the future, it will offer a universal solution to the market," commented Vadim Kulik, Deputy President and Chairman of the VTB Management Board, on the eve of SPIEF 2026.