Humanoid robot Xiao Gai opens 24 7 automated convenience store at Hong Kong Hung Hom promenade to showcase modern AI smart retail integration
There is a new retail concept on its way to the Hung Hom promenade in Hong Kong; a round the clock convenience store will open with a humanoid robot in charge. Called Xiao Gai, the robot will greet and chat with customers, and then walk through a transaction with each of them. The establishment will serve both as an operative store and a display of real world artificial intelligence to the public.
According to Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan, the idea behind this fully automated store is to educate Hong Kong population on modern advancements and their integration into daily shopping. Located within a small 9m2 capsule on the promenade, the automated store offers a wide array of products, such as snacks, local souvenir gifts, and a certain selection of non prescription drugs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The onboard AI is multilingual so it will welcome locals and international visitors. Also the capsule, being only 9m2 in size, optimizes space usage and confirms that smart retail does not require a large brick and mortar structure. It also offers a 24/7 service, removing any necessity for human staffing in late night hours.
This automated retail solution has been already launched in Beijing and the parent company claims the store currently sells goods to about 1,000 customers daily. Given this success, the company is preparing to launch a total of 100 robotic retail capsules in 10 cities within the coming few months.
