When I was there in 2019 the area looked really sad. All the residential buildings had been built but they were boarded up, partially complete and semi-abandoned. As I said, the place is hopping now . They’re close enough to Shenzhen proper that it makes sense that they would not be part of a general real estate downturn.
It’s nice that the market seems to have found a way to coexist - even if it means their customers are now further away from them.
Anyone go to south China city? That was always an interesting one.
I feel for the people working there. It’s bright enough that I think it will damage their eyesight over time.
It’s interesting to see the drop in density, those 1.5mx1.5m market booths replaced by offices with counters that are more like 4mx2m or bigger.
The stalls were pretty fancy, and the offices to the side were maybe even fancier. I think overall the markets and the city were both better and worse now, but I get slightly depressed thinking about how that still means they are better than anything else regardless.
12 years ago???
6 phrases and a calculator really could get you around Shenzhen 
Some familiar faces and places in this video (that was linked to on the Strange Parts discord).
With Ian just landing in Shenzhen I was looking through some of the photos from the last trip. Here are the top 6 robots I found.
Big but looked to roam without much of a pattern. Did divert some of the bikes that were zooming down the street.
Circles the supermarket with products. Not very useful, but the navigation and speed seemed pretty good. Talks at you in a cute voice.
Somewhat more appropriate than the street cleaning robot, but the metro stations are huge so not sure how much of an effect it has. Did also talk, which is always fun.
Useful and common. Delivers snacks from a vending machine to your room or whatever food you order to reception. It is connected to the elevator so it can call on it, ride it, and know which floor it is on. Will call the hotel phone when it is outside the door. Had no problem delivering just napkins.
Could have been the most gimmicky of them all but is actually appropriately used. The food orders are delivered to the drone pads by the usual e-bikes, so there is a good selection of restaurants and stores. Many of the delivery kiosks are situated in areas like parks that are hard to get to and don’t have restaurants.
Will deliver food to your gate in the airport. Not the coolest robot but the best application. A big airport with a controlled environment, long distances, and poor distribution of restaurants is, in many ways, ideal for both the robot and the recipient. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is also pretty great in general.
