Hong Kong is poised to play a distinctive role in the development of the robotics sector as it welcomes the opening of the city’s first convenience stores operated by humanoid robots. The initial three outlets, operated by Beijing-based robotics company Galbot, opened in Hung Hom, Kai Tak, and Wan Chai on Tuesday. These represent Galbot’s first expansion outside mainland China, with plans to open approximately 10 additional stores in high-traffic Hong Kong districts in the near future.
Galbot, which launched its first mainland store in August last year, now operates around 200 outlets across 50 cities in China. According to Zhao Yuli, chief strategy officer at Galbot, the move into Hong Kong serves as a strategic step for the company to bring its technology to an international market. “Hong Kong is an important window and platform for China facing the international market,” Zhao said, emphasizing the company’s plan for further expansion within the city.
At the opening ceremony, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted the city’s potential to contribute uniquely to the robotics industry through three key avenues: serving as a viable application environment, fostering a sustainable research and development ecosystem, and providing a robust capital support chain. Chan pointed out Hong Kong’s dense population, diverse application scenarios, and international exposure as critical factors making it an ideal location for validating and demonstrating advanced robotics technology.
Galbot’s humanoid-operated stores utilize wheeled robots powered by the company’s proprietary embodied foundation model, AstraBrain. These robots are equipped to take orders, deliver items, and prepare beverages using linked coffee machines. However, some operations, such as replenishment, still require human assistance. Full automation is anticipated in the future.
Clara Chan Ka-chai, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation, praised the store launch as a significant milestone. The corporation has been an early investor in Galbot for two years and has committed to supporting startups at early stages, with over 70 percent of its capital allocated to early and growth-stage companies. This investment philosophy underscores the city’s strategic commitment to nurturing innovation within emerging sectors such as robotics.
The launch of Galbot’s robot-operated convenience stores marks a notable advancement in Hong Kong’s technology landscape, demonstrating how the city could serve as both a testbed and gateway for robotics solutions aimed at global markets.