[Inside China's Humanoid Ecosystem]③ "I'm Here to Buy a Robot for the School Sports Day"

The World's First Robot Department Store Opens in Longgang District, Shenzhen
From Finished Robots and Parts to Rentals and After-Sales Service
"Renting Robots for School Sports Days"
Chinese Consumers Actively Investing, Purchasing, and Re

Editor's NoteIt is not unusual to see parents bringing robots to school sports days in Shenzhen, China. In China, robots have become deeply integrated into daily life, to the extent that the country even hosts a Robot Olympics. This phenomenon is supported by an ecosystem that enables the easy production of robots. In Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei, it is possible to source all the parts needed to build a robot in just one day. Robots created through this process are then deployed in factories and other settings, resulting in a virtuous cycle that boosts productivity. In contrast, in Korea, robots remain confined to laboratories and prototypes, with the country struggling to even reach the starting line of industrialization. Asia Economy examined the structure and pace of the humanoid robot ecosystem on the ground in Shenzhen, China. As the world has already entered the race for commercialization, we urgently seek solutions for how Korea should revise its industrial strategies to address the challenges it has missed and avoid falling behind.

Park Hyangran (45), who is raising a child in Shenzhen, said, "At school sports days or events, parents often rent robots," adding, "I even know people who purchase robots costing between 4 million and 5 million won." A consumer culture that satisfies both the desire to show off and to experience new things in daily life is driving the expansion of the robot industry.

The world's first "Robot 6S Store," which opened in Longgang District, Shenzhen in July, serves as an industrial hub supporting this trend. Attracting about 1,000 visitors daily, this "robot department store" offers sales, parts, services, research, customized sales, and group purchases all in one place. Located next to a large shopping center, it boasts high accessibility and displays dozens of robots, appealing to both general consumers and businesses.

The scene of the "world's first robot 6S store" located in Longgang District, Shenzhen City, China, on the 18th of last month. Photo by Park Juni.

On August 18, Shi, a manager at Shenzhen Future Era Robot Co., Ltd., explained, "This is a comprehensive department store that brings together robot devices from top brands in China," adding, "Including robot manufacturers, parts suppliers, and software companies, there are about 250 companies represented here." According to local statistics, there are approximately 860,000 robot-related companies in China, with more than 63,000 newly registered just this year.

On the 18th of last month, humanoid robot products were displayed inside the "World's First Robot 6S Store" located in Longgang District, Shenzhen City, China. Photo by Park Juni.

The store features different brands and devices every day. It offers not only humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as delivery and educational robots, but also components such as motors, torque sensors, and robot hands, allowing visitors to experience both finished products and core technologies. Prices range from small robots costing around 2 million won to high-performance humanoids priced at around 100 million won. Manuals provide detailed specifications, including size, weight, battery performance and lifespan, maximum speed, jump height, and climbing angle, which are useful for both consumers and businesses.

On the 18th of last month, robot parts were displayed inside the "World's First Robot 6S Store" located in Longgang District, Shenzhen, China. Photo by Junyi Park.

Shenzhen Future Era Robot Co., Ltd. opened this store not simply as a sales venue but as a laboratory for the industrial ecosystem. By connecting robots, which until now were handled only in laboratories, to actual distribution networks, and by making rentals and purchases available not only to wholesale clients but also to the general public, the company is broadening the market base. Families visit the store continuously, and there is a steady stream of inquiries about renting or purchasing robots on site.

There is also strong demand for startups. Qui (44), who is considering establishing a robot agency, said, "Just as televisions were expensive in the 1970s and 1980s, robots are rare and costly now, but they will become increasingly affordable and widespread in the future." He added, "Household humanoid robots that serve as babysitters or care for grandparents will become part of everyday life."

This kind of robot experimentation, which encompasses both daily life and industry, is spreading from Shenzhen to the rest of China. Since the Chinese government designated robots as a "new quality productive force" industry, Shenzhen has transformed into a vast robot department store and experimental ground. As technological development and consumer adoption progress in tandem, concerns are mounting that Korea is falling behind due to regulatory and investment constraints.

On the 18th of last month, visitors at the "World's First Robot 6S Store" located in Longgang District, Shenzhen, China, are trying out educational robot products. Photo by Park Juni.