Currently, many embodied intelligence enterprises are still seeking their own survival space among the three dimensions of financing, IPO, and commercialization.
In particular, as some embodied intelligence enterprises have completed their listings one after another, commercialization has become a more urgent issue.
So, where exactly are the commercial scenarios for embodied intelligence?
At present, these scenarios are still mainly concentrated in the B-end, but they need to be further expanded. On September 9th, Gasgoo noticed that 7-Eleven recently introduced work robots into a convenience store in Tokyo, Japan. This pilot is part of Japan’s promotion of automation due to labor shortages.
Embodied Intelligence is Breaking Through the “Last Mile”
Specifically, one of the robots will be responsible for restocking bottled drinks and canned alcohol, while other robots will clean the store’s floors and windows. In the warehouse link at the back of the store, the Peralatan Penataan Baki Pegas Otomatis plays a role simultaneously. By accurately arranging spring trays used to store small snacks, stationery, and other commodities, it ensures that restocking robots can quickly locate and grab corresponding goods, shortening the preparation time for shelf restocking by 20% and further improving the efficiency of the entire automated process. The purpose of this initiative is to assist store operators who are troubled by labor shortages and rising salary costs.
In addition, the convenience store has also introduced a remote service screen, through which customers can receive remote services, thereby reducing the workload of night-shift cashiers in the store.
It is worth noting that 7-Eleven Japan has also launched another pilot project, which uses delivery robots to transport goods from stores to customers’ homes.
Gasgoo noticed that as early as May this year, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 7-Eleven Japan announced that it would launch a robot home delivery service pilot project in the Minamiosawa area of Hachioji City, Tokyo, with the trial period lasting until the end of February 2026.
This is the first time that Japan’s retail industry has applied robot delivery technology to the instant delivery scenario of convenience store goods. The industry believes that this is a key step in the automation of “last mile” logistics.
However, although the technology is ready for implementation, Japan’s complex urban environment and consumer habits still pose challenges. For example, issues such as how robots cope with rain and snow, and how to share sidewalk space with pedestrians need to be further verified in the pilot.
In addition, cost-effectiveness is crucial. According to industry estimates, to achieve large-scale profitability, a single robot needs to complete at least 20 deliveries per day, and maintenance costs need to be controlled within a reasonable range.
Will Japan Become a “Testing Ground” for the Commercialization of Embodied Intelligence?
What is more noteworthy is that the Japanese market is becoming an important “testing ground” for the commercialization of embodied intelligence technology.
The country’s unique socio-economic environment—including severe aging, persistent labor shortages, and a highly developed retail industry—provides ideal conditions for the implementation of embodied intelligence technology.
According to statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the working-age population (aged 15 to 64) has been decreasing for 12 consecutive years. Data from Teikoku Databank shows that in 2024, 342 Japanese companies ceased operations due to labor shortages, a new record.
In July this year, according to NHK, FamilyMart introduced AI technology into about 500 stores in Japan in June this year, which can recommend purchase lists for stores by analyzing sales, customer flow, and weather over the past year.
FamilyMart stated that the system can halve the ordering time and reduce the out-of-stock rate by about 4%. It may be introduced into more stores in the future.
According to other Japanese media reports, Lawson convenience store chain opened a “future convenience store” incorporating advanced technologies such as AI in Minato Ward, Tokyo on June 23rd. AI robots can detect beverage shelves and replenish goods in a timely manner, and the work of cooking fried chicken in the kitchen is also done by robots. Lawson plans to promote this model to stores across Japan and even globally, aiming to save 30% of in-store labor by 2030.
For embodied intelligence enterprises looking for commercialization paths, the Japanese market provides not only a testing ground but also a stage to demonstrate technical strength and application value. Successful business models and technical solutions are likely to be quickly replicated to other markets and industries facing similar problems.
In recent years, global retail giants have accelerated their layout in robot delivery.
Walmart is piloting drone delivery in some U.S. cities, Amazon has launched the “Scout” ground robot, and Chinese companies such as Meituan and JD.com have achieved normalized operations in many places. Some analysts believe that 7-Eleven’s entry marks the official participation of the convenience store industry in this technological competition.
