A store near a bustling shopping centre in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen feels more like a small robotics fair, with all kinds of robots – from humanoid assistants to food delivery bots and massage machines – quietly drawing curious eyes.
Amid the excited chatter of children accompanying their parents, company owners, investors and tech enthusiasts busily exchange contact details and discuss collaboration. Some hope to place their own robots in the newly opened 60 square metre (646 sq ft) store; others are looking to make a purchase.
China’s robotics industry has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now eyeing vast consumer and service markets – a familiar playbook for the country’s manufacturers.
The Future Era store, which opened in Shenzhen’s Longgang district on Monday, bills itself as the world’s first “6S” robot store – offering leasing and customisation services in addition to the traditional “4S” retail staples of a showroom, sales, spare parts and customer service.
Customers can browse the many models on display and then choose to buy, rent or even build their own by selecting components that suit their needs.
The store showcases robots from companies such as Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics, and Shenzhen’s Engine AI and Leju Robot, with daily rental prices ranging from around 5,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan (US$695 to US$2,781).
