China Debuts First Robot-Run Volunteer Station in Public Park

Visitors to Qianhai Stone Park are now getting directions, mosquito repellent, and dance performances… all from robots wearing volunteer vests.

A park in southern China has swapped its human volunteers for a crew of robots, and the machines are already handing out water, answering questions, and even breaking into choreographed dance moves.

China’s first robot-operated volunteer service station officially opened at Qianhai Stone Park in Shenzhen on March 20, marking a shift in how cities are experimenting with AI in public spaces. The robots, developed by local companies, now handle tasks traditionally performed by human attendants, from patrolling the grounds to providing first-aid supplies.

A park where robots take on public service roles

While the robots may seem like a novelty at first glance, the initiative reflects a broader effort to test how AI systems perform in real-world public environments.

At the service station, several robots wearing Shenzhen volunteer vests are now serving the public. Some retrieve items such as bandages and mosquito repellent from a first-aid kit for visitors, while others hand out drinking water. A number of the machines act as all-purpose guides, answering questions about park directions, photo spots, and even Qianhai’s talent and business support policies.

The park also features multiple intelligent robots equipped with visual recognition systems. These machines patrol the area in real time, serving as both safety officers and mobile public educators.

One robot, named Oli, supports real-time bilingual conversations in Chinese and English, with plans to add more languages in the future.

“The primary functions of the robot Oli are to provide general information and guided tours to visitors, as well as to interact with them and perform entertainment acts,” said Cheng Peng, a volunteer at the Qianhaishi Park Volunteer Station, according to euronews.

More than a gimmick

According to the project leader, the initiative goes beyond simply entertaining the public. By placing robots in a real-world public setting, the station helps developers refine how machines interact with people in dynamic, unpredictable environments.

“The robot from Xingchen General Robot Co is primarily designed to patrol the park and provide safety and etiquette reminders. It can also answer questions from visitors along the way regarding the park,” Cheng Peng added.

The station operates as both a public showcase and a testing ground. Robots must navigate children, elderly visitors, large groups, and spontaneous requests, all without losing stability. Those behind the project say this real-world feedback is difficult to replicate in a lab.

For visitors, the experience has been striking.

“Qianhai Stone Park feels so futuristic! Shenzhen will host the APEC meetings this year, and Qianhai is not only beautiful but also technologically advanced. It’s truly impressive. The tech vibe is amazing, and it really surprised me!” said Ivana Hornjak, a visitor from Serbia, according to local reports.

All robot volunteers at the service station were developed by robotics companies based in Qianhai and Nanshan. Their deployment represents an expansion of Shenzhen’s broader “City of Volunteers” initiative, which has long relied on human volunteers.

Also read: AI and robots are increasingly being used in patient-facing settings, including pharmacies, where they help handle routine tasks.