Chinese Robots Reshape UK Retail Warehouses
- Evan Porter
- Aug 3
- 2 min read
Chinese autonomous mobile robots from Geek+ are reshaping warehouse operations for major UK retailers including Tesco, Asda and Next. More than 2,000 of these robots operate across 10 sites through partner MotionTech, lifting and transporting entire storage shelves to workers.
The BBC reported on the trend after visiting Geek+’s factory in Hefei, China, where the machines are assembled and tested before export. Unlike fixed conveyor systems, the robots need only floor QR codes and safety barriers, enabling faster and more flexible deployment. Geek+ states that the automation raises picking speeds, improves space use and cuts errors.
UK labour productivity has stagnated for over a decade. The OECD has highlighted robotics as a key route to gains, noting that British firms lag peers in adoption despite a strong industrial tradition. Labour shortages further drive demand for solutions that handle high volumes on smaller footprints with fewer staff.
China views robotics as a strategic industry. Technologies developed for electric vehicles—batteries, motors, sensors and chips—are now applied to warehouse robots. Geek+ became the world’s largest supplier of autonomous mobile robots after its 2025 Hong Kong listing. The company’s next target is fully unmanned warehouses that handle picking, packing and loading.
Warehouse automation is advancing across Europe. As noted by The Supply Chainer, Amazon’s next-generation Proteus robot, unveiled in London, responds to natural language: “You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing. It becomes your assistant for material movement.” The system is framed as a tool for physically demanding tasks, improved safety and faster fulfilment.
Chinese AMRs already prove effective in British warehouses, positioning the UK as an early testing ground for the next wave of Chinese robotics exports.
