7th June 2026 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong is set to open its first convenience store operated by a humanoid robot on the Hung Hom waterfront, as the city steps up efforts to weave artificial intelligence into everyday life and boost public understanding of the technology. Financial Secretary Paul Chan revealed the plan in his weekly blog, adding that the 24‑hour outlet will be able to serve residents and visitors in multiple languages.
Developed by a mainland Chinese firm specialising in embodied AI, the Hong Kong shop will mark the company’s first venture outside the mainland—an endorsement, Chan said, of the city’s open market and its role as a showcase for global innovation. The business previously launched a futuristic “Galaxy Space Capsule” store in Beijing’s Haidian district, billed as the world’s first retail outlet run routinely by a humanoid robot and serving around 1,000 customers daily since early August.
The store’s humanoid, nicknamed “Xiao Gai”, is designed to initiate friendly conversation when customers approach, encouraging them to browse and buy. The nine‑square‑metre capsule can be configured to sell snacks, creative merchandise and even over‑the‑counter medicines. The company plans to roll out 100 such capsules across 10 cities in the coming months. It partnered last July with a Hong Kong investment manager to explore local deployments in commercial districts, transport hubs and tourist sites, supporting the city’s ambition to become an international centre for embodied intelligence, talent and innovation.
Embodied AI refers to artificial intelligence embedded in physical systems—such as robots and autonomous vehicles—that use sensors to read their surroundings, make instant decisions and interact with the real world. The company says the format offers a strong pull for footfall, lifting nearby customer traffic by 30–40 per cent after installation, while projecting a high‑tech service image for host cities.
Chan also disclosed that a high‑level government committee on AI development has been established in Hong Kong and will convene its first meeting this month, indicating the administration’s push to scale practical, people‑facing AI applications alongside broader policy planning.