For those who may not be aware, the eChannel program was recently expanded to allow foreigners who satisfy the following conditions to use the automatic gate after registration:

- a foreign national holding an electronic passport
- a residence permit valid for more than 6 months
- 7 years old and more

Foreign Passengers Meeting Certain Conditions Able to Use Self-Service Channels at Ports in China
http://www.sh-immigration.gov.cn/lis...?lx=40&id=4688

I have a friend who was able to register in Shenzhen but have yet to hear if there were any wrinkles in using it at the gate.
I also tried registering at Shanghai Hongqiao T1 but was told there that they couldn't do it there; I'm planning to try checking Pudong later in the week.