Curious crowds fill the JD Home store at UpperHills mall in Futian yesterday, eager to see the newly deployed robot assistants in action. Photos by Wu Shukai
The world's first team of "cyber shop assistants" commenced their official duties at the JD Home store in Futian District's UpperHills mall Monday, marking a significant advancement in integrating humanoid robots into retail services.
The futuristic venue quickly became a popular destination for curious shoppers. Visitors eagerly interacted with the robots, many capturing the novel experience on their phones.
Developed by Shenzhen-based EngineAI Robotics, the PM01 robots demonstrated impressive capabilities throughout the store. One assistant explained the store's layout to customers, saying, "Our store features various experience areas, including a brand collaboration zone, a JD Joy Inside product zone, and a merchandise sales area. You are currently in the corporate promotion zone. What would you like to see first?"
A PM01 robot developed by Shenzhen-based EngineAI Robotics greets customers upon entering the store.
These advanced robots guided customers to specific products upon request, agilely moving while providing continuous companionship. Visitors could also converse with the assistants about any store-related matter or product information.
The robotic assistants further delighted spectators by performing an ax dance and martial arts demonstrations, drawing enthusiastic applause.
A PM01 robot entertains shoppers with a lively dance, drawing phones and smiles across the crowd.
According to Yao Qiyuan, co-founder and marketing general manager of EngineAI, the PM01 robots represent a technological leap forward. "They have transitioned from remote control to full autonomy and are capable of independently perceiving their environment while conducting guided tours and explanations," Yao explained.
The store employs five robot assistants that work in rotating shifts. "Their dialogue scripts are professionally trained and iteratively upgraded every week," Yao stated.
A visitor captures a selfie moment with one of the on-duty robot assistants at JD Home.
"These tireless assistants maintain constant enthusiasm while performing work equivalent to nearly 10 human employees. Deploying robots as clerks not only reduces operational costs but also drives customer traffic and serves as an effective demonstration model."
The company anticipates that humanoid robots will become increasingly prevalent in retail environments, potentially serving as sales assistants in various settings — from new energy vehicle showrooms to smart home stores.
