Robot-Powered Store to Open in Russia’s Skolkovo Innovation Center

Skolkovo will soon welcome a fully automated retail store where robots take over sales, cleaning, and even making coffee — all powered by homegrown technology.

An automated store called “Made in Moscow” is set to open at the Skolkovo Innovation Center, staffed entirely by robotic assistants. The 126-square-meter space will feature robot consultants, robot cleaners, and robot baristas, showcasing Russia’s growing push into retail automation.

The store will run entirely on Russian-made technology. Self-checkout systems will be powered by domestic software, while artificial intelligence will monitor customer behavior to prevent theft. One key feature is the use of heat map technology, which will help identify suspicious activity in real time.

The product lineup will include goods from more than 40 Moscow-based brands, ranging from high-tech construction sets and specialized clothing to smart gadgets, eco-friendly foods, and popular science books.

One standout innovation will be a “smart” foot scanner that creates a 3D model of a customer’s foot, enabling custom shoe orders tailored to exact measurements.

The project will debut at the “Territory of the Future: Moscow 2030” forum and festival, with setup expected to take just three days. Organizers see the experiment as a potential blueprint for nationwide rollouts of similar stores.

A similar “phygital” store format has already been introduced by another Russian retail chain, blending physical and digital shopping experiences. There, customers can order products via a QR code or mobile app and receive their purchases within about seven minutes.