SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -Shopping carts aren’t the only things rolling through E-mart anymore.
South Korea’s largest retailer has become the first in the country to sell humanoid robots as off-the-shelf products, signaling a moment when robots move from showroom curiosities to items consumers can actually take home.
At Electromart Yeongdeungpo in western Seoul, E-mart has opened a robot demonstration zone showcasing 14 different robot models, all available for purchase.
The star attraction is a humanoid robot priced at 31 million won, designed to mimic human movement with striking precision. It can walk, sit, stand, turn from side to side, and move its arms and legs independently — less science fiction prop than early-stage household companion.
Nearby, a smaller but livelier quadruped robot, priced at 4.76 million won, draws crowds with its repertoire of tricks. The robot can jump, stretch, sit, and even offer a mechanical handshake. Equipped with environmental sensors, it recognizes obstacles, navigates its surroundings and responds to voice commands, blurring the line between gadget and pet.
By placing robots on the retail floor — complete with price tags — E-mart is testing how ready Korean consumers are to accept machines not just as tools or toys, but as everyday products. What was once confined to labs and tech expos has arrived under fluorescent lights, waiting quietly for its first owner to swipe a card. In Yeongdeungpo, the future isn’t behind glass. It’s on sale.
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