What if your next new car came with a side of sci-fi?
Chinese automaker Chery is betting big on it, unveiling a humanoid robot named Mornine that’s designed to serve drinks, answer spec questions and maybe - just maybe - help sell you a vehicle.
Stormtrooper chic
Debuting at the recent Shanghai Auto Show, Mornine looks like something between a showroom hostess and a cosplay experiment gone rogue. With DeepSeek AI smarts, the robot can walk (a little awkwardly), speak and gesture with human-shaped hands. One unit is already working in a Malaysian dealership, and Chery claims it’ll deliver around 220 of them to dealers this year.
Functionally, Mornine is part greeter, part digital brochure - capable of rattling off equipment lists and possibly fetching you a drink while she’s at it. Chery hasn’t released final pricing yet, though dealers reportedly expect a cost of around €50,000 (roughly NZ$95,000). Whether that’s worth it for what’s essentially a glorified FAQ machine remains to be seen.
Robots are the main act
According to Chery International president Zhang Guibing, robots aren’t just a gimmick but the company’s future. He envisions Aimoga, Chery’s robotic division, growing so large it eclipses the car business entirely.
Among its other creations? A robot dog for those who want the companionship without the cleanup. Zhang calls Aimoga “the real future” of the company - a sentiment that may sound far-fetched, until you remember robots don’t take sick days or ask for pay rises.
AI everywhere
Chery isn’t alone in the race to roboticise. Hyundai’s humanoids that were developed via its 2021 Boston Dynamics acquisition are headed to US factories this year. BMW has also shown off its own humanoid ambitions, while Mercedes-Benz is already trialling similar tech in Berlin.
Whether they’re assembling vehicles or helping you compare paint options, one thing’s clear: robots are no longer science fiction. They’re here serving lattes and spec sheets with eerily perfect posture.