Lotte Innovate announced on the 2nd that it will unveil “AX Lab 3.0,” a next-generation convenience store operated jointly by artificial intelligence (AI) and a humanoid robot. It is an experimental model that evolves the store from a simple unmanned space into a “self-operating outlet.”

Lotte Innovate, in cooperation with Korea Seven, has opened AX Lab 3.0 on the first floor of its Seoul headquarters. The site has been designed as a testbed (experimental environment) to verify how robots and AI can perform tasks and respond to customers in a real distribution setting.

Upon entering the store, visitors are first greeted by a humanoid robot that plays the role of “store manager.” It is not merely for display; it moves like an actual employee, providing guidance on product locations and introducing promotions. Connected to Lotte Innovate’s AI platform “iMember,” it can also engage in basic interactions such as conversation and providing weather information.

This robot autonomously inspects product display conditions, checks for out-of-stock items, and assesses store cleanliness, performing part of the store owner’s duties.

“Vision AI,” connected to CCTV, monitors floor contamination and the condition of display shelves in the store 24 hours a day. Based on the “AI Store-Care Service,” this system enhances the efficiency of store management.

In addition, an AI hologram has been introduced to provide customer guidance and content production simultaneously, automatically generating promotional videos that can be used on social media. AI also monitors product expiration dates in real time and sends alerts to store owners so they do not miss disposal timings.

AX Lab 3.0 is also equipped with a conversational kiosk. Customers can make payments while conversing with an avatar, and personalized promotional content is provided through a Vision AI-based advertising system (RMN·Retail Media Network).

Based on these technological capabilities, Lotte Innovate plans to expand its business into the “Physical AI” domain, in which AI engines are installed in various manufacturers’ robots and actual hardware is controlled.

A Lotte Innovate official said, “AX Lab 3.0 is a space that demonstrates how efficiently and intelligently the distribution field can be operated when robots and AI are combined. The company will continue to pursue practical innovation that benefits both customers and store owners.”

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