The scene offers a glimpse of how robots are moving closer to ordinary consumers in China.

　　Also on Monday, Chinese consumer robotics brand PrimeBOT opened its first global experience store in Shanghai. PrimeBOT focuses on the research, development and application innovation of personal robots, while automobile dealership group Yongda Auto provides support in distribution, delivery and after sales services, the Global Times learned from the Shanghai-based company.

　　"We hope to turn robots from a science fiction concept into products that consumers can experience, own and integrate into their daily lives," Zhang Peng, president of global marketing and services at PrimeBOT, told the Global Times. The robot company has so far established offline experience stores in multiple major cities across the country including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi"an and Hangzhou.

　　More robotics companies are expanding their offline presence. In May, Unitree Robotics opened its first embodied intelligence experience center in Asia in Shanghai. In June, AgiBot launched its first JD.com offline store in the city. In November 2025, EngineAI opened a flagship robot retail store in Shenzhen.

　　"The significance of offline stores goes beyond adding another sales channel. More importantly, they allow robots to interact directly with consumers, with real world experience and feedback helping drive further product improvements," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.