HK to launch first humanoid robot-run retail store

Hong Kong will soon see the opening of its first humanoid robot-run retail store outside the mainland, brought in by Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) from a mainland Chinese embodied AI company.

In his weekly blog on Sunday (7 June), Hong Kong's finance chief Chan said the store will be located at the Hung Hom waterfront and will be run by a robot manager that works around the clock and speaks multiple languages to serve customers.

“The person in charge told us that they chose Hong Kong as the first stop for the retail store's global expansion precisely because of Hong Kong's role as an international showcase platform, its open atmosphere for trialing new technologies, and the visibility it offers for innovation and technology projects,” Chan said. 

The arrival of a robot store manager in Hong Kong marks a growing trend that AI is beginning to enter people's daily lives in more tangible forms, according to Chan. While pushing forward AI development to boost industries and strengthen economic competitiveness, the goal is also to bring real, noticeable convenience to the public and create new opportunities for growth.

Chan said that international capital continues to pay close attention to and show confidence in China's leading advantages across multiple emerging and future industries. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's role as a key international fundraising and financing hub for these companies further enhances its appeal to startups and tech enterprises.

Additionally, Chan said this year's budget announced the establishment of the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy (AI+與產業發展策略委員會) whose members include experts, academics, and representatives from business chambers, enterprises, and park companies. Chan revealed that the committee will hold its first meeting within this month.

As for the committee's initial areas of study, Chan said the scope of AI empowerment is very broad. In addition to focusing on life and health and embodied intelligence, the committee will also explore strategies for applying AI to various other fields, such as transportation, culture and creative industries, and sustainable development.

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"Hong Kong has always grown through transformation and progressed through innovation. The AI era will test society's "'readiness' for technological innovation across multiple fronts, including digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, technology applications, innovation systems, and talent training. Forward-looking planning and thorough preparation are needed to seize the future," Chan said.

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