Alibaba's self-service "Taocafe" unveiled

Alibaba has unveiled its new "Taocafe," a self-service store, as part of the second Taobao Maker Festival at the Hangzhou International Expo Center, Zhejiang Province on Saturday July 8, 2017.

People wait in line at Alibaba's new "Taocafe" in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. [Photo: China.org.cn]

The 200 square meter site serves as both a shopping center and food court.

Designed to be consumer friendly, "Taocafe" allows people to scan items they want to purchase through a QR code on the Taobao app. The purchases are then calculated as customers are leaving, and paid automatically through Alipay. The purchases will then be delivered.

Customers scanning QR codes inside "Taocafe." [Photo: China.org.cn]

In the catering area, customers just need to tell the screen what they would like, and a speech recognition system will order for them.

A customer speaks to the screen in the food ordering area. [Photo: China.org.cn]

"Here is what you ordered. Are you sure you want to pay?" When they answer "Yes," the purchase is charged to their Alipay account.

A customer waits for her meal. [Photo: China.org.cn]

Alibaba says its designed "Taocafe" to try to give its customers a unique shopping and payment experience.

However, the company does admit that it will still be some time before "Taocafe" could be commercialized.

Customers pass through the "payment door." [Photo: China.org.cn]