Galbot, the robot that will assist you

A semi-humanoid robot that handles thousands of products

In China, thanks to a new intelligent robot from Galbot, the startup has just raised $153 million to accelerate its implementation in hundreds of stores. The G1 is no ordinary robot, it is a semi-humanoid mobile manipulator equipped with wheels to move around the store space and two arms capable of handling an absurd variety of products. More than 5,000 different types of merchandise, from boxes and bottles to flexible bags and glass jars.

All of this is possible thanks to Galbot's artificial brain, which combines advanced vision, language and action models trained both in simulated environments and with real data collected directly from the day-to-day life of retail.

With built-in AI system

The secret of the G1 is in the combination of three ya models, the Grasp VLA, the Grocery VLA and the Track VLA, while the Grasp VLA ensures that the robot learns to grab objects of different shapes and textures with safety and precision, the grocery allows it to quickly adapt to complex scenarios, even if there is clutter, fallen products or unexpected obstacles. For its part, the Track VLA is responsible for detailed navigation, ensuring that the G1 circulates between narrow aisles, recognizes commands and natural language and locates items and movements and the need for specific training for each new store.

And the result of all this, implementation in record time, in just one day, a store can receive, configure and begin operating the G1, almost 10 stores in Beijing already have these steel helpers fully operational and the goal is to reach 100 before the end of the year.

Galbot's ambition does not stop there, the company wants to transform the retail sector and move towards the automation of warehouses, logistics centers and even factories in partnership with giants such as Kettle, Bos China and Boy One Capital. But all this efficiency raises some questions. Could it be that the G1 represents the beginning of a trade where humans become rare parts, replaced by tireless robotic arms?

And what will happen to the millions of jobs that today depend on manual mergers in supermarkets and distribution centers? As technology advances, the challenge is to balance increased productivity with real social impacts.