(Yicai) Nov. 11 -- Another physical store selling humanoid robots has opened in the East Lake High-Tech Development Zone in Wuhan, an area of the city better known as the Optics Valley of China.

Set up by the Hubei Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, the new retail venue offers robots that can be used in more than 10 settings, including manufacturing, tourism, and health care, said Li Zhengxiang, the center’s chairman. The store also provides spare parts and services.

A brick-and-mortar store for humanoid robots also opened in Shenzhen in July.

All of the Wuhan store’s androids have been developed independently by local firms and institutions in Hubei province, including the Laborer from GLRoad, the Elf from Jingchu Robot, and a small humanoid robot produced by Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Every robot on display originates in Hubei’s industrial supply chain, Li said. Customers can make purchases, request customised functions, and even apply for financing at the store.

Hubei has become a key center in China’s fast-growing robot industry. In June, its capital Wuhan, launched a three-year action plan including a CNY1 billion (USD139 million) fund to support the sector. Optics Valley has already developed and released 10 humanoid robots, covering 31 types of core components in the industry chain.

The high-tech zone has also invested in key areas such as operating systems, graphics processing units, smart chips, and motor nerve center systems. Having also developed its own hydraulic power units and servo electric drive components, the local industrial chain for robot parts is gradually improving.

Editor: Tom Litting