China’s first humanoid robot mall

Robot Mall has opened in Beijing, the country’s first shopping mall dedicated to humanoid and intelligent robots, with over 50 models from 40+ manufacturers, including a life-size replica of Albert Einstein.

Located in the Yizhuang District Robotics Industrial Park, the store covers 4,000 m² over four floors. It features 100 types of robots in seven categories: from medical assistants to home companions.

• The first floor is for interactive demonstrations (chess-playing robots, dinosaurs, Einstein).
• The second floor is a futuristic hub with interactive exhibits.
• The third floor is a service area for repairs, diagnostics, and parts replacement.
• The fourth floor is a space for industrial networking and collaboration.

The complex also features a themed restaurant with AI service. The robots range in price from 2,000 yuan ($278) to several million.

The opening coincides with the start of the five-day World Robot Conference. The Robot Mall’s operating model is based on the “4S” format (sales, service, spare parts, surveys), which is standard for authorized car dealers, but adapted for the first time for robotics. This demonstrates China’s desire to move beyond the demonstration of innovations and move on to their mass implementation.

Robot Mall has become a symbol of China’s transition from experimental developments to a real market for robots for the mass consumer. The combination of a commercial model, service support and interactive experience could become a catalyst for robots to enter homes and businesses around the world.