The Digital Policy Office announced on November 9 that applications are open for its "Robots in the Community" Pilot Programme, which lends a humanoid robot named "Smart Bot" free of charge to community organisations for demonstrations and performances at free public events. The deadline is November 20, 2026, and applying costs nothing, the office said.

Applicants must be organisations established to serve the public or residents of a Hong Kong region, such as companies, societies, offices of Legislative Council or District Council members, district organisations or welfare agencies. Events proposed in this round must be held between December 15, 2026 and February 28, 2027. According to the office, Smart Bot can dance and perform kung fu, and can also act as a popular science ambassador explaining embodied AI and other digital technologies to participants.

The office said the pilot aims to let the public interact with humanoid robots firsthand and improve understanding of embodied AI. It will join the "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme, under which the office runs measures to help people in need, especially the elderly, understand and use digital products and services.