Lotte Innovate announced Wednesday that it has unveiled "AX Lab 3.0," a next-generation future convenience store powered by humanoid robots and artificial intelligence technology. Located on the first floor of the company's Seoul headquarters, AX Lab 3.0 serves as a testbed where humanoid robots and AI work together organically to manage the store autonomously and serve customers.
When customers enter the store, they are greeted by a humanoid robot serving as store manager. The robot is not merely for display but moves around the store like an actual employee, providing voice guidance on product locations and introducing promotions. Through the humanoid connected to Lotte Innovate's AI platform "iMember," customers can engage in casual conversations about topics such as weather information. Beyond simple guidance, the robot also performs tasks typically handled by store owners, including checking out-of-stock items and inspecting store cleanliness.
Vision AI technology has also been implemented alongside the robots. CCTV cameras and AI systems installed throughout the store replace human eyes to manage the premises around the clock. The system monitors floor contamination and sampling station cleanliness in real time.
AI holograms have been introduced for customer service, enabling synthesis capabilities that allow viral marketing through social media platforms. The company plans to expand into various sectors including entertainment, retail, and construction through integration with iMember. AI monitors expiration dates of displayed products in real time and sends alerts to store owners to prevent missing disposal deadlines. Additional features include "conversational kiosks" where customers can chat with avatars while completing payments, and customized retail media network advertising services incorporating vision AI technology.
Lotte Innovate plans to continuously enhance its iMember AI engine to strengthen robot software competitiveness. Through this approach, the company intends to apply its solutions to humanoid robots from various manufacturers and expand into "physical AI" services where AI controls real-world hardware.
"AX Lab 3.0 is a space that demonstrates how smart retail stores can become when robots and AI are combined," said Shin Hyun-ho, head of Lotte Innovate's distribution and service division. "We will continue to apply various future technologies in the field and lead retail innovation that satisfies both customers and store owners."