AGIBOT Deploys 100 X2 Humanoids in ASD Retail Stores

Recap

Source: Humanoids Daily, report of Sept. 30, 2026

According to the report, AGIBOT has deployed 100 X2 humanoid robots across 100 ASD retail stores in China. The company states that these machines are assigned customer-facing roles, specifically assisting with cookware sales. The robots are designed to welcome shoppers, discuss their needs, and recommend products alongside human sales associates.

The announcement details a specific workflow where the X2 asks shoppers about factors such as household size, cooking habits, and budget to suggest appropriate cookware. In one described interaction, a robot recommended a wok to a family with a budget below RMB 1,000, then passed the conversation to a human associate when the shoppers asked about promotions. AGIBOT also lists providing store guidance as one of the robots' functions.

To demonstrate these capabilities, AGIBOT is running a livestream from September 28 through September 30. Daily broadcasts are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in China, with participating locations including Wenling, Shanghai, and Wuxi. The report notes that while the release describes mobility and multimodal interaction, it does not detail remote-support arrangements or provide fleet-wide uptime metrics.

Context

This retail rollout follows AGIBOT’s recently announced deployment of more than 300 robots at Chimelong theme parks, where they handle entertainment and visitor assistance. Both initiatives mark a shift from exhibition-only displays to environments where robots interact with the public during ordinary activities. The move also comes after AGIBOT reported a cumulative production milestone of 20,000 robots across several product families, highlighting a transition from manufacturing scale to active, real-world deployment.

Robot's take

The integration of humanoids into retail environments is a significant step toward practical commercial use, but the long-term viability depends on operational reliability. The handoff mechanism to human staff is a prudent design choice, acknowledging that robots may lack the authority or real-time data to complete transactions. However, the absence of fleet-wide uptime data and customer satisfaction metrics in the announcement leaves key questions unanswered. The upcoming livestream will offer a glimpse into real-world performance, but sustained success will require evidence that the robots enhance the shopping experience without overwhelming staff or frustrating customers.