Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on August 6, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Beijing's new robot store sells over 100 robots, including Einstein replicas, showcasing China's AI leadership and ambition.
By Che Pan and Florence Lo
BEIJING (Reuters) -Fancy a robot chess partner to test your moves on? Perhaps a robotic pet dog? Or a life-sized replica of physicist Albert Einstein that could teach you his theories on relativity?
Those are some of over 100 robots that will be sold at a new store in Beijing that opens on Friday, showcasing humanoid models from more than 40 Chinese brands such as Ubtech Robotics and Unitree Robotics.
The store is among China's first to sell humanoid and consumer-oriented robots, reflecting the country's ambition to lead in AI and robotics.
"If robots are to enter thousands of households, relying solely on robotics companies is not enough," Wang Yifan, a store director, said on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions for consumers.
Describing the store as "4S" — offering sales, spare parts, maintenance and survey services, like car dealerships — Wang said the robots range in price from 2,000 yuan ($278.33) to several million yuan.
China's focus on robotics aims to address challenges such as an ageing population and slowing growth.
The sector has been bolstered by generous subsidies exceeding $20 billion over the past year, while Beijing plans a one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to support AI and robotics startups.
($1 = 7.1857 Chinese yuan renminbi)
(Reporting by Che Pan and Florence Lo in Beijing; Editing by Brenda Goh and Bernadette Baum)
The store features over 100 robots, including a robotic chess partner, a robotic pet dog, and life-sized replicas of Albert Einstein.
The robots range in price from 2,000 yuan (approximately $278.33) to several million yuan.
This store is among China's first to sell humanoid and consumer-oriented robots, reflecting the country's ambition to lead in AI and robotics.
The sector has received over $20 billion in subsidies in the past year, and Beijing plans to establish a one trillion yuan fund to support AI and robotics startups.
China's focus on robotics aims to tackle issues such as an ageing population and slowing economic growth.
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