China's AI Ambitions on Display: Beijing Opens Pioneering Robot Store

Beijing robot store stocks Einstein replicas, chess partners, in AI leadership push

BEIJING, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Fancy a robot chess partner to test your moves on? Perhaps a robotic pet dog? Or a life-sized replica of physicist Albert Einstein that could teach you his theories on relativity? Those are some of over 100 robots that will be sold at a new store in Beijing that opens on Friday, showcasing humanoid models from more than 40 Chinese brands such as Ubtech Robotics (9880.HK), opens new tab and Unitree Robotics. The store is among China's first to sell humanoid and consumer-oriented robots, reflecting the country's ambition to lead in AI and robotics. "If robots are to enter thousands of households, relying solely on robotics companies is not enough," Wang Yifan, a store director, said on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions for consumers. Describing the store as "4S" -- offering sales, spare parts, maintenance and survey services, like car dealerships -- Wang said the robots range in price from 2,000 yuan ($278.33) to several million yuan. China's focus on robotics aims to address challenges such as an ageing population and slowing growth. The sector has been bolstered by generous subsidies exceeding $20 billion over the past year, while Beijing plans a one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to support AI and robotics startups. ($1 = 7.1857 Chinese yuan renminbi) Reporting by Che Pan and Florence Lo in Beijing; Editing by Brenda Goh and Bernadette Baum Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Life-like robots for sale to the public as China opens new store

A new robot shop has opened in Beijing selling everything from mechanical butlers to human-like replicas of Albert Einstein. More than 100 types of products will be on sale at Robot Mall, which launched in the Chinese capital on Friday. The store is one of the first in the country to sell humanoid and consumer-oriented robots. The outlet has been compared to a car dealership as it offers services including sales, spare parts and maintenance. China has invested heavily in the robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) as it looks to overcome challenges such as slowing economic growth and an ageing population.

China Opens 'Robot Mall,' Its First Mall for Robots

China opened its first full-scale shopping center dedicated entirely to robots on Friday, as part of a broader push to bring robotics from research labs into people’s homes. The four-story Robot Mall, located in Beijing’s high-tech E-Town district, showcases more than 100 robots from over 40 brands, including Chinese companies like Ubtech Robotics and Unitree Robotics. The store operates like a car dealership, but for robots. It follows the "4S" model common in China, offering sales, service, spare parts, and surveys or opportunities for customers to provide feedback all in one location. “If robots are to enter thousands of households, relying solely on robotics companies is not enough,†Wang Yifan, a director at the mall, told Reuters. Robots at the new mall start at 2,000 yuan ($278) and go up to several million yuan. A talking humanoid replica of Albert Einstein is going for 700,000 yuan ($97,473). The mall also includes a themed restaurant where robot waiters serve dishes and drinks prepared by robot chefs. Visitors can also watch robots play soccer or Chinese chess, interact with robot dogs, or meet animatronic versions of historical figures like Isaac Newton, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and the famed Chinese poet Li Bai. The opening of Robot Mall coincides with two major robotics conferences in the city this month. Friday was also the first day of the 2025 World Robot Conference, which runs through August 12. Over the course of the conference, nearly 500 experts from over 20 countries will gather to discuss the latest trends in robotics. Approximately 200 robotics companies will also be present to showcase their latest research and development breakthroughs in over 1,500 exhibits. Just days later, Beijing will host the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, taking place from August 14 to 17. Humanoid robots will face off in a series of 21 events, testing their skills in everything from athletics, soccer, and dance to handling materials, drug sorting, and other performance-based and scenario-driven challenges. So far, more than 100 teams have registered to compete. All of this is part of China’s broader push to win the global robotics race. The country is pouring tons of resources into the sector, including more than $20 billion in subsidies over the past year alone. Beijing is also reportedly planning a one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to help support AI and robotics startups, according to Reuters. Some U.S. robotics companies, including Tesla and Boston Dynamics, have already called on lawmakers to develop a national strategy that can compete with China’s.

Beijing Robot Store Stocks Einstein Replicas, Chess Partners, in AI Leadership Push

By Che Pan and Florence Lo BEIJING (Reuters) -Fancy a robot chess partner to test your moves on? Perhaps a robotic pet dog? Or a life-sized replica of physicist Albert Einstein that could teach you his theories on relativity? Those are some of over 100 robots that will be sold at a new store in Beijing that opens on Friday, showcasing humanoid models from more than 40 Chinese brands such as Ubtech Robotics and Unitree Robotics. The store is among China's first to sell humanoid and consumer-oriented robots, reflecting the country's ambition to lead in AI and robotics. "If robots are to enter thousands of households, relying solely on robotics companies is not enough," Wang Yifan, a store director, said on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions for consumers. Describing the store as "4S" -- offering sales, spare parts, maintenance and survey services, like car dealerships -- Wang said the robots range in price from 2,000 yuan ($278.33) to several million yuan. China's focus on robotics aims to address challenges such as an ageing population and slowing growth. The sector has been bolstered by generous subsidies exceeding $20 billion over the past year, while Beijing plans a one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to support AI and robotics startups. ($1 = 7.1857 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Che Pan and Florence Lo in Beijing; Editing by Brenda Goh and Bernadette Baum)