Galaxy Universal Unveils Open-Source GroceryVLA for Retail Automation
At the 2025 Beijing Bioray Conference held June 6-7, Galaxy Universal Robots made waves with their groundbreaking GroceryVLA demonstration. The world's first open-source Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model for retail applications performed live autonomous operations in a simulated supermarket environment, marking a significant leap forward for robotic automation in commerce.
Under the guidance of Dr. Wang He, the company's Galbot G1 robot showcased unprecedented capabilities. Without pre-programmed routes or remote control, the system successfully identified and manipulated various grocery items using only voice commands. From delicate produce to rigid packaging, GroceryVLA handled diverse products with precision.
The technology boasts five revolutionary features:
- Strong applicability across retail environments
- High universality for varied product types
- Cross-scene generalization without retraining
- Autonomous decision-making capabilities
- Robust anti-interference performance
"What sets GroceryVLA apart is its ability to operate in completely novel environments," explained a Galaxy Universal spokesperson. "Traditional systems require extensive environmental data collection beforehand - our solution adapts immediately."
Complementing this innovation, Galaxy Universal introduced OpenWBT, an open-source whole-body teleoperation system for humanoid robots. Requiring only standard VR equipment and a basic computer, the platform dramatically lowers barriers to advanced robotics implementation. Early tests suggest deployment times reduced from weeks to hours.
Industry analysts highlight several potential impacts:
- Reduced labor costs for overnight stocking and inventory management
- Improved accessibility in stores through robotic assistance
- Enhanced efficiency in warehouse logistics and fulfillment centers
The Beijing demonstration featured Galbot navigating crowded aisles, identifying misplaced items, and even handling fragile goods - all while avoiding collisions with dynamic obstacles like shopping carts and customers.
Retail automation has traditionally focused on stationary systems like self-checkout kiosks. GroceryVLA represents the first scalable solution for mobile manipulation in complex, unstructured environments. Early adopters could see implementation within 18 months according to company projections.
Key Points
- Galaxy Universal's GroceryVLA enables fully autonomous retail operations without environmental pre-scanning
- The OpenWBT system simplifies humanoid robot deployment using consumer-grade VR equipment
- Live demonstrations proved capability across diverse product types and dynamic environments
- Combined solutions address labor shortages while improving operational efficiency