For frequently asked questions, look for clear spoken conversations and an easy-to-use display. Autonomous navigation is most relevant when guests need to be guided along set routes. Before buying, you should also clarify how data is handled and what settings are available in the specific version, as well as whether it is suitable for your public-facing space.
You want to supplement greetings and standard information, while making sure visitors can speak to a member of staff when they have more complex requests. The City of Düsseldorf documented the use of Pepper to provide directions and answer service-related questions in a library. This does not prove that it is suitable for every reception area on a permanent basis.
You want to do more than greet guests: you also want to guide them along suitable routes to exhibits. PAL Robotics describes an ARI installation in Barcelona. The way it operates there does not prove that the model is suitable for another building or for use in Germany.
You need to check which camera, voice and cloud features are actually enabled and how visitor data is processed. Before choosing a model, you need clear information about data flows and settings for the version of the model and software on offer.
Suitable if: greetings, frequently asked questions and on-screen information are your main priorities.
Consider: Voice and display features show that interaction is possible, but they do not guarantee the quality of every answer or continuous operation without supervision.
Suitable if: guests need to be guided to specific destinations along routes that have been checked and approved in advance.
Consider: Mapping, changing obstacles and handover to staff all need to be tested at the intended location.
Suitable if: your operating plan needs to limit the processing of visitor images or connections to external services.
Consider: Ask for written confirmation of which settings are available for the version on offer and which dialogue or navigation features depend on them.
| Requirement | What to look for when buying | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Clear information | Check sample conversations in German, common and unexpected questions, how content is updated, the touchscreen and handover to staff. | If you want the robot to answer frequently asked questions, you need clear, up-to-date information and a straightforward way for visitors to reach staff. Around 25% of consumers put answers to standard questions first. |
| Control over data | For the specific version, ask about and check on the device the types of data collected, purposes, storage, recipients, remote access and separate ways to switch features off. | If visitors or staff may be within the area being monitored, you need to understand how data is actually processed and what settings are available. Around 31% of consumers prioritise control over camera, voice and cloud data. |
| Visitor guidance | Test planned routes, obstacles, stopping points and how to end a journey with the configuration on offer. | If guests are to be guided around indoor spaces, you need to check the intended routes and how the robot handles changing levels of footfall. Around 19% of consumers put visitor guidance first. |
| Accessible operation | Test ease of use, supported languages, content updates, support responsibilities and what happens if the network goes down. | If a range of visitors will regularly interact with the system, you need suitable ways to use it and clear responsibilities for its operation. Around 25% of consumers prioritise continuous operation that is accessible and properly supported. |
Which data is processed also depends on the software, settings and how the system is used. A list of sensors alone tells you neither how data actually flows nor what requirements apply to your use.
Ask for a written description of the features enabled and data flows for the version on offer, then check them as part of acceptance testing.
Configuration, documentation and checks for the specific use case may involve additional organisational work.
Greeting visitors in a fixed location involves different requirements from travelling through areas with changing levels of footfall. Routes, obstacles and support from staff all need to suit the specific environment.
Plan tours only along routes that have actually been tested, and decide how staff can take over or stop a journey.
Mapping, ongoing route maintenance and staff handovers may create additional tasks during operation.
A documented use case or product description does not prove that the software version on offer will answer your visitors’ typical questions clearly.
Test sample conversations in German with common and unexpected questions, and clarify who will update the content.
Creating your own content and maintaining it over time may require additional workflows.
The Cruzr 1S and Walker C1 product lines are described as supporting different types of reception and visitor interaction.
According to its product description, ARI combines social interaction, a touchscreen and customisable content with documented navigation capabilities.
Pepper is a humanoid robot that uses speech and a screen. The City of Düsseldorf documented its use to provide directions and answer service-related questions.
The selection below includes humanoid robots for speech-led or movement-based visitor demonstrations. Several are described as development platforms, so they are not automatically ready-made reception solutions. Before using a camera-equipped model, check how data is processed in the specific configuration.
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The built-in AI language model is described as supporting voice-controlled commands and conversations, which may be useful for an interactive demonstration.
The product title specifies a monocular camera and 20 degrees of freedom. Before using it in a public area, check the data protection requirements for the specific configuration.
The safety guidance advises against operating the robot near stairs, edges or uneven surfaces, and notes that it is not waterproof.
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The description presents this humanoid platform for research, development and human-robot interaction experiments. Check whether it is suitable for your planned demonstration.
The product title specifies 48 TOPS and 22-DoF. The description also mentions experiments involving autonomous navigation.
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The description highlights programmable interactions and movements for education and research, which may make it suitable for a development-focused visitor demonstration.
The product title specifies 117 TOPS and 22-DoF. The description also lists software APIs and development tools.
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The product description lists commercial demonstrations and interactive guidance as potential uses. Check how the robot will work in practice before planning to use it with visitors.
The title specifies 29 degrees of freedom in total and 16 degrees of joint freedom. According to the title, an SDK/API is not currently available for this version.
The safety guidance states that the product is not suitable for anyone under 14 and calls for particular care when children are present.
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The description lists entertainment, commercial demonstrations and interactive guidance as potential uses. This does not mean it is suitable for reception duties without supervision.
The product title specifies 29 degrees of freedom in total and 16 degrees of joint freedom.
The safety guidance states that the product is not suitable for anyone under 14 and calls for particular care when children are present.
A sign alone does not establish whether the specific use is permitted. For the actual configuration, check factors including the purpose, legal basis, data processing and information provided to the people affected. The German Data Protection Conference considers video surveillance on a case-by-case basis.
Not necessarily; the appropriate legal basis depends on the purpose and the data processing involved. The German Data Protection Conference notes that simply entering an area marked as being under camera surveillance does not constitute informed consent.
For the specific processing involved, clarify and document the purpose, legal basis, information for the people affected and the actual data flows. Depending on the use, you may also need to check data processing agreements, data retention and deletion arrangements, and whether a data protection impact assessment is required.
For the documented ARI navigation, a suitable map and the robot’s ability to locate itself are prerequisites. Test the planned routes, stopping points, obstacles and handover to staff at the intended location. A manufacturer’s claim about a different model is no substitute for this test.
No. Voice and screen are possible ways to interact with the system, but they do not guarantee that the specific configuration has been assessed for accessibility. Test how easy it is to use with the visitor groups the reception area is intended for.