Beijing Robot Store Stocks Einstein Replicas, Chess Partners in AI Leadership Push

A new store opening in Beijing this Friday will showcase over 100 humanoid and consumer-oriented robots from more than 40 Chinese brands, including Ubtech Robotics and Unitree Robotics. Among the offerings are life-sized replicas of Albert Einstein designed to teach physics, robotic chess partners, and pet robots, highlighting China’s ambition to lead in artificial intelligence and robotics.

The store adopts a “4S” dealership model—providing sales, spare parts, maintenance, and survey services—catering to a growing consumer market with robot prices ranging from around 2,000 yuan ($278) to several million yuan. Wang Yifan, the store director, noted the importance of customized consumer solutions, stating that mass adoption of robots requires more than just manufacturers’ efforts.

China’s aggressive push into robotics aims to mitigate economic challenges such as its ageing population and slowing growth. The sector benefits from government support with subsidies exceeding $20 billion over the past year, alongside a planned one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to back AI and robotics startups.