China is preparing to open what is expected to be the world’s first fully robot-operated hotel next year. From welcoming guests at the entrance to delivering room service and carrying luggage, robots will perform every major task usually handled by hotel staff.
The hotel is being built on the West Artificial Island, a man-made island located along the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link in southern China.
The project has been announced by Pudu Robotics, a Chinese robotics company known for developing AI-powered service robots.
Robots to take over every hotel role
According to reports, every customer-facing role inside the hotel will be managed by robots. Reception services, room service, housekeeping, food delivery and even kitchen operations will be handled using intelligent robotic systems.
Pudu Robotics has already deployed its service robots in restaurants, retail stores and other commercial spaces. However, this will be the company’s first project in which an entire hotel will operate with robots instead of traditional staff.
Partnership with Shenzhen Tourism Development
To bring the project to life, Pudu Robotics has partnered with Shenzhen Tourism Development.
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The West Artificial Island, where the hotel is located, was opened to the public in 2025. Visitors will be able to experience an advanced robotic environment designed to encourage direct interaction between guests and AI-powered machines.
AI software will power the entire hotel
According to a report by New Atlas, the hotel will rely on advanced software and hardware to ensure smooth operations.
Pudu Robotics will manage the hotel’s intelligent systems using its AI model, PuduFM 1.0, along with its autonomous platform called PuduAgent. These technologies will coordinate different robots and help them perform their assigned tasks efficiently.
Different robots for different tasks
The hotel will feature several specialised robots, each designed for a specific role.
FlashBot will function as a smart delivery robot. Guests can order drinks or other items through their phones, and FlashBot will deliver them directly to their rooms.
PUDU T300 will be responsible for transporting guests’ luggage from the hotel lobby to their rooms.
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Meanwhile, PUDU CC1 Pro and MT1 robots will handle cleaning duties. Equipped with AI technology, these robots can identify waste, clean floors and maintain hygiene with minimal human involvement.
Although the robots perform different functions, they are powered by a common AI system. Reception robots will recognise and respond to human gestures, delivery robots will navigate independently, and cleaning robots will adapt to their surroundings while carrying out their work.
Reports suggest the robotic hotel will be introduced in phases, with trial operations scheduled to begin later this year before the hotel officially opens to guests next year.
China continues to lead in service robotics
China has rapidly expanded the use of service robots across different industries in recent years. Robots are increasingly becoming part of everyday life rather than being limited to research or industrial settings.
One example is the XMAN-R1 humanoid robot, which is already working at the front desk of the Shangri-La Airport Hotel in Shanghai, highlighting China’s growing leadership in AI-powered hospitality.
First published on: Jun 28, 2026 01:52 PM IST
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