Beijing has opened the world’s first large-scale retail complex dedicated entirely to robots. Located in the capital’s high-tech E-Town district, the four-storey “Robot Mall” spans approximately 4,000 m² and follows a 4S dealership model—offering Sales, Service, Spare parts, and Surveys—commonly seen in the automotive sector.
The facility houses more than 50 to 100 robot models from over 40 domestic manufacturers, including Unitree Robotics and Ubtech. The range covers medical robots, humanoid service robots, bionic animal companions, warehouse automation units, and wheeled delivery systems. Prices vary from around 2,000 yuan (≈ $278) for small consumer devices to several million yuan for advanced industrial-grade humanoids. One of the most prominent exhibits is a life-size animatronic Albert Einstein, available for approximately 700,000 yuan (≈ $97,000).
Interactive Experiences
Visitors can interact with robots designed for both entertainment and practical tasks. Exhibits include chess- and football-playing robots, robotic pets, and animatronic figures of historical figures such as Isaac Newton and poet Li Bai. A robot-themed restaurant on site features robotic chefs and waiters. Demonstrations also show robots performing service roles such as bartending, pharmacy shelving, and waste sorting—although in some cases human intervention was needed when technical issues occurred.
Supporting Commercialization
The mall is intended as a bridge between research laboratories and the consumer market, giving robotics companies a retail platform and a direct feedback channel from customers. It also offers after-sales service and spare parts, enabling companies without existing retail operations to reach a broader audience.
This initiative is part of China’s broader push to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence and robotics. The government has announced more than $20 billion in subsidies for the sector and plans for a 1 trillion-yuan (≈ $137 billion) industry fund to accelerate commercialization. Officials view the Robot Mall as a pilot for similar facilities in other Chinese cities.
