With the opening of this new store in Beijing, China is taking a strategic step toward bringing robotics technology closer to the population’s daily lives. Inspired by the growing demand for intelligent and creative solutions, this is yet another example demonstrating the country’s leadership in advanced robotics technologies, which is increasingly popularizing and enabling the widespread consumption of domestic and educational robots nationwide.
China is betting on humanoid robots to conquer the domestic market
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 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.
Interactive technology beyond curiosity: focus on real utility
The space offers immersive experiences, allowing visitors to interact directly with robots and understand their practical functions, including educational aids and even some domestic assistance. This is a way to increasingly spark public interest and encourage, through practical and direct contact, the desire to use this technology, as well as increasing confidence in the daily use of advanced robots.
“4S” model brings maintenance and support to the world of robots
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.
Offering prices that vary from budget-friendly options to cutting-edge, highly sophisticated models, the business approach aims to appeal to a wide spectrum of consumers across different demographics and income levels. While it may seem counterintuitive, given that highly advanced robots are often viewed as exclusive luxury items, this diversification strategy clearly reflects a long-term goal to transform robotics from being merely a luxury item into an accessible, scalable, and practical solution that addresses evolving social and economic challenges worldwide.
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.
Billion-dollar investment strengthens Chinese leadership in artificial intelligence
The main objective of Chinese investment is to encourage increased public interest in the development of these technologies and thereby accelerate research into humanoid robotics and increasingly encourage new companies to develop new solutions that are innovative, socially applicable, and capable of addressing complex real-world challenges across multiple sectors.
This type of investment and incentive from the Chinese government directly impacts the country’s culture and human-machine interactions, which many see as important and necessary for development, but also divides opinions on its potential long-term impact on interpersonal relationships and societal ethic and values.
By investing and creating a context conducive to the development of humanoid robotic technologies — offering a variety of products and accessible shopping experiences — China, which is already a leader in this market, is moving towards a scenario in which robots will be an increasingly present part of the daily lives of the country’s diverse population classes. This initiative goes beyond technological advancements, also impacting the country’s culture, redefining the relationship between humans and machines in the coming years.
GCN.com/Reuters