Get Your Robot: The Ultimate Robot Shopping Center in Beijing Opens this Friday!
China has just launched its very first robotics shopping center in Beijing’s E-Town high-tech district. With over 100 robots on display from more than 40 different brands, including local favorites like Ubtech Robotics and Unitree Robotics, this mall is revolutionizing the way these cutting-edge technologies are brought into the homes of everyday citizens. Operating similarly to a car dealership, the store offers sales, services, spare parts, and opportunities for customers to provide feedback on the products they encounter.
At the Robot Mall, you can find robots priced anywhere from 2,000 yuan ($278) to several million yuan, with options to suit all preferences. For instance, a humanoid replica of Albert Einstein that can speak can be yours for 700,000 yuan (U$92,473). But the fun doesn’t stop there – the shopping center also boasts a themed restaurant where robot waiters serve up dishes prepared by robotic chefs. Guests can enjoy watching robots engage in activities like playing soccer or Chinese chess, interacting with robot dogs, and even meeting animatronic versions of historical figures such as Isaac Newton, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and the famous Chinese poet Li Bai.
## Robotics Events in Beijing
The opening of the Robot Mall coincides with several exciting events happening in the city this month. The World Robotics Conference 2025, which kicked off on Friday and will run until August 12, brings together around 500 experts from over 20 countries to discuss the latest trends in robotics. During the conference, 200 companies will be showcasing their newest research and development advancements in over 1,500 exhibits.
Later in the month, from August 14 to 17, Beijing will be hosting the 2025 Humanoid Robot Games. This event will feature 21 challenges that test the abilities of humanoid robots in various fields such as athletics, soccer, dancing, and more. Over 100 teams have already signed up to compete in these games, which aim to assess the performance of these incredible machines.
All of these events are part of China’s ambitious plans to lead the global robotics race, with the country having invested over $20 billion in subsidies for the sector in the past year alone. Beijing is reportedly even planning to establish a trillion yuan fund (U$137 billion) to support AI and robotics startups, prompting American companies like Tesla and Boston Dynamics to urge legislators to develop a national strategy to keep up with China’s advancements in this field.
