RoBoCity — Where AI Meets Imagination

How a groundbreaking experiential event redefined engagement for a new generation

In a landscape where most events aim for attention, RoBo City achieved something far more powerful — emotional connection. What began as a bold, imaginative concept soon evolved into one of the most talked-about experiential activations of the year. Designed to introduce children and families to the creative potential of artificial intelligence in a playful, emotionally resonant environment, RoBo City wasn’t just an event — it was a prototype for the future of engagement.

The Genesis: From Sketch to Storyworld

The original IP was seeded by Shubham, known for crafting immersive, human-centric experiences across physical and digital platforms. Inspired by the question, “What would a city built by and for AI look and feel like — through a child’s eyes?”, he began conceptualizing a space that wasn’t just tech-driven, but emotionally intelligent, educational, and truly interactive.

To bring this ambitious vision to life, Shubham teamed up with long-time collaborator Amit Singh (@amitskummar) — a seasoned creative designer with experience across Bollywood films, OTT sets, and immersive commercial décor.

The original designs/ sketches came from Amit, who imagined a city built around robotics — filled with playful, character-driven installations. Shubham took that vision further, infusing it with the magic of artificial intelligence and layered interactivity. The result was RoboCity — a space that didn’t just showcase robots, but made them think, feel, and respond.

From RoRo and Jenny to the Droid Slide and overhead hangings, every design in RoboCity grew from this creative fusion. Together, they developed a unique visual language and spatial architecture blending cinematic storytelling with tech-powered, hands-on engagement for kids.

It wasn’t just a play area.It was a living, learning, a glimpse of the futuristic world.

Shubham then expanded the concept, embedding AI not as a gimmick, but as a core character in the experience:

• Emotionally responsive robots like RoRo and Jenny, designed to interact with children conversationally and empathetically.

• Voice interfaces that allowed for natural, real-time engagement.

• An AI Art Workshop that empowered kids to generate art through prompts and emotions — giving them a sense of creative agency over technology.

• Integrated learning zones and storytelling corners that encouraged children to ask big questions and imagine bigger futures.

  

The Challenges: Navigating Rejection & Redefining the Ask

Despite its visionary appeal, the project initially struggled to find a platform. The concept was pitched to several leading malls and event spaces, many of whom responded with enthusiasm but hesitancy.

“It’s too early for this.”“Will children really understand it?”“It’s a little too niche.”

Still, the team remained committed. They refined the offering, clarified the emotional ROI, and positioned the experience not just as an attraction, but as a brand-first, future-ready educational platform.

The Breakthrough: Inorbit Malls Takes the Lead

The turning point came when Inorbit Malls saw the potential and came on board as the flagship venue partner. Their openness to innovation, family-first programming, and tech-forward brand ethos made them the ideal collaborators.

Once RoBo City launched, the response exceeded all expectations:

• High engagement levels not only among children but also parents and educators.

• Repeat visits and extended dwell time, proving the experience was more than a passing novelty.

• Organic word-of-mouth buzz driven by children who emotionally connected with RoRo and Jenny as more than robots — they became friends, guides, even co-creators.

  
  

The AI Art Workshop was a standout hit. Children intuitively grasped how to use prompts, moods, and curiosity to generate original artworks — a process that subtly introduced them to the logic and possibility of generative AI in a joyful, low-pressure environment.

But bringing this vision to life — within a tight budget and compressed timelines — was nothing short of a mountainous task. The Afternoon team hustled with multiple production vendors, technical experts stitched together capabilities across cities, and problem-solved on the fly to make sure the final experience delivered both scale and soul.

The Impact: A Blueprint for Next-Gen Engagement

RoBo City’s success signals a meaningful shift in how experiential marketing and educational tech can intersect. It demonstrated that:

• Children are ready for deeper technological experiences — not just games, but storytelling and emotional design.

• AI can be humanized when introduced with care, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

• Brands and public spaces can become platforms for imagination — not just commerce or entertainment.

  
  

What’s Next: Scaling Wonder with Strategy

With strong proof of concept and growing demand, RoBo City is now exploring opportunities to scale across other malls, schools, and cultural venues. Each iteration aims to deepen the AI-human interaction, add new modules (from storytelling AI to robotics labs), and tailor the content for diverse age groups.

The long-term vision is clear: to build spaces where future generations can learn, play, and imagine — with technology as their companion, not just their tool.

RoBo City wasn’t designed to impress. It was designed to inspire. And that’s exactly what it did, by turning AI into a character, art into collaboration, and engagement into something emotionally meaningful.

RoBo City is a registered intellectual property of Afternoon Creative Solutions. All rights reserved.

Shubham, Founder of Afternoon with the team that made Robo City Possible.