ANOTHER physical store selling humanoid robots has opened in the East Lake High-Tech Development Zone in Wuhan, an area of the city better known as the Optics Valley of China. Set up by the Hubei Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, the new retail venue offers robots that can be used in more than 10 settings, including manufacturing, tourism, and health care, said Li Zhengxiang, the center’s chairman. The store also provides spare parts and services. The first brick-and-mortar store for humanoid robots opened in Shenzhen in July. All of the Wuhan store’s androids have been developed independently by local firms and institutions in Hubei Province, including the Laborer from GLRoad, the Elf from Jingchu Robot, and a small humanoid robot produced by Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Hubei has become a key center in China’s fast-growing robot industry. In June, its capital Wuhan, launched a three-year action plan including a 1 billion yuan (US$139 million) fund to support the sector. (SD-Agencies) | 