Humanoid Robots Tested as Store Assistants in Hefei's Real-World Retail Experiment
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- leaderobot.com
On August 26, 2026, a humanoid robot named 'Xiaomai' was seen assisting customers in Hefei, quickly retrieving items after they placed orders via QR codes or voice commands. This initiative marks one of the first large-scale implementations of embodied intelligent robots in unmanned retail in Anhui Province, with a reported order fulfillment rate of 99% after months of testing.
The significance of this experiment lies in its real-world application, as the robots operate in bustling areas rather than controlled environments, allowing them to adapt to unpredictable customer interactions. The project is backed by Hefei Guoxian Holdings and Zero Degree Robotics, which emphasizes the need for robots to perform reliably in dynamic settings, addressing challenges related to product variability and operational stability.
Looking ahead, Zero Degree Robotics plans to expand its network of robotic stores to 500 locations by 2026 and aims for 2,000 by 2027. This initiative reflects Hefei's strategic investment in the robotics industry, including a 20 billion yuan public service platform to support the development of intelligent robots, showcasing a promising future for humanoid robots in everyday retail settings.
Original report
Humanoid Robots Serve as Store Assistants: A Real-World Experiment in Hefei
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