Hong Kong to launch first humanoid robot convenience store as AI enters everyday retail

Hong Kong to open first humanoid robot-run convenience store

Hong Kong is preparing to open its first convenience store operated by a humanoid robot, marking a new step in the city's push to bring artificial intelligence into everyday public life. The 24-hour outlet will be located on the Hung Hom waterfront and is expected to serve both residents and visitors in multiple languages. Financial Secretary Paul Chan revealed the plan in his weekly blog, framing the project as part of Hong Kong's broader effort to boost public understanding of artificial intelligence and support practical, people-facing applications of the technology. The shop is being developed by a mainland Chinese firm specializing in embodied AI. Its Hong Kong launch will be the company's first venture outside the mainland, a move Chan described as an endorsement of the city's open market and its role as a showcase for global innovation. The store will be powered by a humanoid robot nicknamed "Xiao Gai", designed to interact directly with customers as they approach the outlet. The robot can initiate friendly conversations, encourage browsing, and support purchases inside the compact retail space. The store itself will use a nine-square-meter capsule format that can be configured for different product categories. According to the provided details, it can sell snacks, creative merchandise, and even over-the-counter medicines. The model follows the company's earlier "Galaxy Space Capsule" store in Beijing's Haidian district. That outlet was billed as the world's first retail store routinely operated by a humanoid robot and has reportedly served around 1,000 customers daily since early August. For Hong Kong, the waterfront capsule is positioned not just as a retail experiment, but also as a public-facing demonstration of how embodied AI could be integrated into ordinary city environments. Embodied AI refers to artificial intelligence placed inside physical systems, including robots and autonomous vehicles. These systems use sensors to read their surroundings, make instant decisions, and interact with the real world. In the case of the humanoid robot convenience store, that means AI is not limited to a screen or chatbot interface. Instead, it becomes part of a physical service environment where customers can interact with a robot in person. The company says the capsule format can help attract customers and create a high-tech service image for host cities. It claims nearby customer traffic can rise by 30-40 per cent after installation. The firm is planning a wider rollout of 100 such capsules across 10 cities in the coming months. The robot-run store comes as Hong Kong looks to strengthen its position in embodied intelligence, talent, and innovation. Chan also disclosed that a high-level government committee on AI development has been established in the city. The committee is expected to hold its first meeting this month. The move signals that the administration is looking beyond long-term AI policy planning and toward practical deployments that residents and visitors can experience directly.

Hong Kong to open first convenience store run by humanoid robot

Hong Kong will soon open its first 24-hour convenience store operated by a humanoid robot capable of serving customers in multiple languages. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said Sunday that the 24-hour store, located on the waterfront in Hung Hom, will feature a humanoid robot developed by a mainland Chinese company that can assist both residents and tourists, the South China Morning Post reported. Chan said the outlet will be the company's first store outside mainland China. In a blog post, he said the government also hopes to improve public understanding of AI by introducing technologies that people can experience in their daily lives. "While we vigorously promote AI development to empower industries and enhance economic competitiveness, we also hope to bring convenience that residents can genuinely feel and to create new highlights for development." He also revealed that a high-level government committee dedicated to AI development has been established and is expected to hold its first meeting later this month. Francis Fong Po-kiu, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, described the project as an important step toward increasing public awareness and interest in AI applications. "We do not [yet] seem to be able to embed AI in everyday life," he said. "Now there is a store manned by a real humanoid robot. People can interact with the robot when ordering things, seeing how it responds and prepares their orders." Fong said the company behind the store is Beijing-based Galbot, which previously received backing from the Hong Kong Investment Corporation, the government's investment arm. He added that Galbot has already entered the autonomous retail market with its "space capsule" stores, which operate at sites including the Summer Palace and Zhongguancun ART PARK in Beijing. In March, Galbot G1 humanoid robots began working as sales assistants at China's first robot-operated pharmacy in Beijing's Haidian District. The robots can legally perform the role as long as the operating company holds a valid pharmaceutical distribution permit, according to CGTN.