China has opened its first robot-run volunteer service station in a public park, as more and more cities look to see how robotics can be integrated into everyday urban life.
The station began operations last week in Shenzhen, where robot volunteers have been deployed across Qianhaishi Park to assist visitors, patrol the area, and provide entertainment.
Footage released by CNS shows the machines stationed at a service point, interacting with visitors and handing out items such as drinks and insect repellent, while others patrol the park, and some even break out into dance moves.
"The primary functions of the robot Oli are to provide general information and guided tours to visitors, as well as to interact with them and perform entertainment acts," said Cheng Peng, a volunteer at the Qianhaishi Park Volunteer Station.
"The robot from Xingchen General Robot Co is primarily designed to patrol the park and provide safety and etiquette reminders. It can also answer questions from visitors along the way regarding the park," he added.
According to the project leader, the initiative is designed to go beyond just a novelty to entertain members of the public. By placing robots in a real-world public setting, the station helps developers refine how machines interact with people in dynamic, real-life environments.
The project is also intended to expand the practical applications of robotics in everyday scenarios, allowing researchers to see how these kinds of systems could be used more widely in public services in the future.
Check out the video above to see the volunteer robots in action.
