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


Adam Hancock

Business reporter

Reuters A humanoid robot in the likeness of late physicist Albert Einstein stands behind a price tag, during an organised media tour to Robot Mall, a store selling humanoid and other robots, in Beijing.Reuters

A life-size humanoid replica of Albert Einstein at the 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.

“If robots are to enter thousands of households, relying solely on robotics companies is not enough,” Wang Yifan, a store director, told Reuters.

The robots on sale range in price from 2,000 yuan ($278, £207) to several million yuan.

Shutterstock A female humanoid at the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre during an organised visit in Beijing, China, 6 August 2025.Shutterstock

A robot at the reception of a restaurant at the new store in Beijing

Visitors will be able to interact with a wide range of robots, including dogs and chess players, organisers said.

There is also a separate section offering replacement parts and robot maintenance services.

Robot Mall is located next to a themed restaurant, where diners are served by robots and the food is cooked by mechanical chefs.

China has increasingly prioritised the robotics industry, with subsidies topping $20bn over the past year.

The Chinese government is also planning a 1 trillion yuan fund for AI and robotics start ups.

Reuters Staff members move a humanoid robot portraying emperor Qin Shi Huang from the Qin dynasty, which fell to the floor during an organised media tour to Robot Mall, a store selling humanoid and other robots, in Beijing, China August 6, 2025.Reuters

More than 200 Chinese and overseas brands are represented at Robot Mall

The opening of Robot Mall coincides with the start of the five-day World Robot Conference, which started in Beijing on Friday.

Chinese state media said this year’s event will see more than 1,500 exhibits from over 200 local and overseas robotic companies.

Beijing is also preparing to host the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games from 14 to 17 August.

Teams from more than 20 countries will compete in events including track and field, dance and football.

Reuters Media members work by a walking Tiangong humanoid robot during an organised media tour to Robot Mall, a store selling humanoid and other robots, in Beijing, China August 6, 2025.Reuters

The new store is one of the first of its kind in China



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