Industry observers said that the phased, price-based expansion is better aligned with tech maturity and helps build a more sustainable market. At offline stores in Beijing, many visitors viewed robots as potential companions or household assistants.

　　"The humanoid robot is impressive, especially the movement and speed," Giacomo Galli, a tourist from Italy, told the Global Times, adding that such robots could one day help accompany elderly people.

　　Over the longer term, households remain a major market, with robots expected to take on tasks such as housework and elderly care as AI capabilities improve.

　　A middle school teacher in Beijing told the Global Times that rental costs for robotic dogs have dropped sharply, from more than 10,000 yuan in the past to around 2,000 yuan today.

　　The analysts added that lower rental costs could accelerate the adoption of robots in education, giving students earlier access to cutting-edge technologies. IDC said that China"s educational companion robots market will exceed $1 billion in 2026. It forecasted that, by the end of 2026, Chinese service and consumer robot makers will account for 85 percent of global shipments.