DQ and Sharpa deploy embodied AI robots in Shanghai retail stores

DQ and AI robotics company Sharpa have launched a pilot program in Shanghai featuring robotic employees capable of performing complex, multi-step tasks in a real-world retail environment. The robots can complete the entire process of making a DQ Blizzard ice cream, involving 55 distinct steps such as opening freezer doors, scooping ingredients, stirring, and performing the brand’s signature “upside-down cup” test without spilling.

Unlike traditional automation that requires customized equipment, this implementation utilizes a “zero-modification” approach, meaning the robots operate using the same tools and workflows designed for humans. The technology relies on advanced tactile sensing and force-control algorithms to handle delicate items like thin paper cups. While the robots currently take approximately seven minutes to prepare a serving compared to three minutes for a human staff member, CFB Group, DQ’s parent company, views this as a necessary phase to validate complex workflows in live settings.

Sharpa, a company founded by former Hesai Technology founders, has reportedly raised over 4.5 billion RMB with a valuation exceeding 20 billion RMB. The company aims to use service industry scenarios, such as dining and retail, to gather data for future applications in domestic environments. CFB Group is also integrating AI into other areas, including consumer research and store operational monitoring.