On a busy street in Guiyang, Guizhou Province in southwestern China, a striking 16-square-metre silver retail pod is catching the eye. Through transparent windows, an “AI robot manager” and an “AI coffee master” work in close coordination, drawing crowds who stop to watch the compact team in action.

When a customer approaches and places an order on the screen, the robot lifts its left arm to wave. The coffee master quickly prepares the drink while the robot manager precisely grabs the items. The two complete the handoff in about 30 seconds—a smooth choreography that rivals a professional shop team.

Built by a local telecom company, these smart retail pods are rolling out across Guiyang as a new, convenient retail format. They are presented as more than vending points: compact, fast to deploy, and flexible, the pods can adapt to shopping districts, scenic areas, and transport hubs, while giving citizens a front-row experience of everyday AI.