Robots are running convenience stores in Hong Kong: How does this technology work? Find out..

Galbot, a Beijing-based tech company, has achieved a significant milestone in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. The company has opened a total of three stores across Wan Chai, Hung Hom, and Kai Tak. These include two outdoor capsule-style shops in Hung Hom and Wan Chai, and one indoor store in Kai Tak.

How does the Galbot robot work?
The AI-powered humanoid robot that serves customers in the store is named Galbot. It can interact with customers in a friendly manner. Shoppers can speak directly to the robot to ask about snacks, drinks, and toys.

When asked about snacks, the robot mentioned ketchup-flavored potato chips and "squishy toys" resembling Hong Kong-style egg waffles or pineapple buns. It also provided information on beverages such as lime juice and peach oolong tea.

When asked about actual edible snacks, the robot stated that its current inventory list showed only snack-themed toys and drinks, and that no edible snacks were available at that moment.

Regarding the ordering process: after selecting items via voice commands, customers must confirm the order on an attached tablet screen and complete the digital payment. The entire process—from placing the order to receiving the tea or merchandise—takes approximately three minutes.

Conversing in Cantonese
According to the company, a key feature of Galbot is its ability to converse in Cantonese, a wide variety of the Chinese language (Yue Chinese). However, the experience is not yet entirely seamless; during interactions, its Cantonese pronunciation did not sound completely natural, and at times, it reverted to answering in Mandarin. 

The company operates around 200 stores across 50 cities
Galbot is not testing this technology solely in Hong Kong; it already operates approximately 200 humanoid-run stores across nearly 50 cities in mainland China. The company states that the humanoid operates fully autonomously, handling tasks ranging from restocking shelves to interacting with customers. However, a human staff member was present during the first two days of operations at the Hong Kong store.

Plans for further expansion in Hong Kong
Although the company has launched only three stores so far, it plans to open more across the city. If the adoption of this model grows, we may soon see a division of labor between human staff and robots in convenience stores.

How did customers find the robot-run store?

Customers visiting the store had a largely positive experience with Galbot. One customer praised its conversational skills and described it as having an engaging personality, noting the high quality of the interaction. The drinks were also described as refreshing.

However, there were some downsides to shopping with the robot. The process takes longer compared to a standard vending machine. When asked about inventory, the robot occasionally provided incorrect information instead of the right details, and its Cantonese proficiency was not entirely accurate. Yet, an interesting aspect of the experience is that Galbot does more than just sell products; it can even dance for customers if they wish.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.