AI robots are changing the way we buy cars

Humanoid robots are beginning to transform car dealerships, with Chinese manufacturer Chery showcasing its advanced sales assistant, Mornine, at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show. With 220 units planned for rollout worldwide, Chery aims to lead the shift toward robotic retail experiences.

Already in use in Malaysia, Mornine can explain car features, guide showroom tours, serve refreshments and even speak multiple languages. Designed to appeal to tech-savvy buyers, the robot blends physical dexterity with AI-powered natural language capabilities.

Mornine responds to voice and gesture commands, walking upright and interacting with customers in a personalised, human-like manner. Her conversational abilities are driven by advanced large language models, making her explanations more structured and engaging than typical sales interactions.

The company sees wider applications for its robots in malls, cinemas, and even eldercare, positioning AI humanoids as daily companions. As robotics and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, automakers like Chery believe these machines will play as vital a role in the customer journey as the vehicles themselves.

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