The first humanoid robot auction in China is about to take place

On May 19, JD.com – one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms, said it will organize the world’s first humanoid robot auction during the annual 618 festival. However, the list of participating businesses and robot models, as well as the starting price, have not been disclosed. The event marks a new milestone in the commercialization of AI and advanced robotics, according to Securities Times.

Global Times The event review could attract interest from technology companies, research institutes and robotics collectors looking for early access to next-generation mechanical systems. “Auctions can create new trade channels for robot manufacturers, as well as help accelerate public acceptance of humanoid robots as practical products, not just as fiction concepts,” said Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Bringing humanoid robots to the shopping festival is part of a broader plan being implemented by JD. Earlier this week, the company said its JD Logistics division plans to deploy three million robots, one million autonomous vehicles and 100,000 drones in the next five years. Meanwhile, JD Retail plans to help robot brands achieve cumulative revenue of more than 10 billion yuan ($1.47 billion) this year, while shortening the product launch cycle by 30%.

JD is developing JoyInside – an advanced technology and robotics ecosystem, including lines of humanoid robots and AI-integrated toys, along with the JoyInside 2.0 platform that allows users to program behaviors and flexibly integrate smart applications for robots into life. Dai Wenjun, head of JoyInside, said the platform plans to connect more than 10 million terminals this year. Some famous robot brands such as Unitree Robotics and Noetix Robotics have integrated JoyInside.

The 618 Festival was initiated by JD.com in 2010, and is held on June 18, according to the company’s founding date. The event takes place for two and a half weeks from the first day of June every year. According to Forbesthis is the largest online shopping event in the first half of the year in China and the second largest after Singles’ Day on November 11. Initially, the 618 festival only took place within JD.com, but then other online platforms such as Taobao, Pinduoduo… responded with a shopping volume not inferior to Black Friday in the West.