Galaxy Corporation, best known as G-DRAGON’s agency, has unveiled Galaxy Robot Arena Dubai at Reel Cinemas in Dubai Mall, introducing a venue for robot performances and audience interaction as part of its expansion into the Middle East.
The South Korean entertainment technology startup describes the venue as the world’s first robot arena to operate within a cinema, bringing robotics-based entertainment into a space traditionally used for film screenings.
Robots in action
The robots danced to K-pop tracks including aespa’s ‘Whiplash’ and G-Dragon’s ‘Power’, as well as Mark Ronson’s ‘Uptown Funk’ featuring Bruno Mars and local music. They also performed karate alongside two human practitioners.
The program also included robot boxing and drawing-robot experiences, allowing visitors to interact directly with the machines.
These activities form part of the company’s approach to Physical AI, which brings artificial intelligence into physical systems such as robots. Galaxy Corporation is focusing on performances and participatory experiences as a way to introduce the technology to audiences.
“The future of robots is about working alongside humans as interactive partners,” said Choi Yong-ho, the company’s founder and CEO. “We want to open an era in which they perform, engage and share interactive experiences with humans.
He added that the Dubai venue builds on the company’s work in Seoul and New York, with a focus on creating opportunities for people and robots to interact and collaborate. “The future of AI is humanity. Ultimately, the future of AI is people.”
Dubai as a regional base
The Dubai launch follows its first robot-themed park, Galaxy Robot Arena, in Seoul in August and a humanoid robot campaign in New York’s Times Square last month.
Earlier this year, Galaxy Corporation became the first Korean entertainment company to establish a presence in the Middle East, setting up in the UAE. The company will use Dubai as its main regional base to carry out physical AI business.
Galaxy Robot Arena Dubai forms part of its plans to build an international entertainment network linking South Korea, the US and the Middle East through robotics.
Galaxy Corporation also outlined plans to pursue robot arenas in San Francisco, Hong Kong and Osaka, without announcing opening dates or specific venues.
The company’s business combines artists’ intellectual property, performances, content, and robot technology. Through its arenas, it aims to develop robots as an entertainment medium, bringing performances and audience interaction into spaces such as cinemas.