For recurring questions and information at reception, a robot with a display and pre-set dialogue flows is a sensible starting point, provided staff can take over when needed. Teleoperation or guided navigation may be more suitable once staffing, access permissions and appropriate areas of use have been established. Local image processing does not automatically mean that spoken conversations are also processed locally. Before choosing a robot, ask for details of its data flows and exact sensor configuration.
If you want to greet visitors and provide frequently requested information by voice or on a display, look for workflows that are easy to maintain and a clear handover to staff. United Robotics Group and PAL Robotics describe relevant reception and interaction features.
If image, audio or conversation data is processed, establish before opening to the public which data is processed locally and which is sent to external services. The Data Protection Conference offers guidance on data protection criteria for AI applications; the specific configuration must be assessed separately.
If visitors may ask questions beyond the pre-set workflows, make sure someone is available to help, and establish clear responsibilities for remote access and dealing with faults. PAL Robotics documents teleoperation features for ARI; United Robotics Group describes ticketing and remote assistance for support.
Suitable if: You want to offer recurring greetings, answers to common questions and on-screen content, and staff can step in when needed.
Consider: For uMe Uno, United Robotics Group names an external AI service for spoken dialogue, even though the supplier says image processing takes place locally.
Suitable if: Visitors have individual enquiries and someone needs to be available to take over conversations or deal with faults.
Consider: Remote access and sessions create additional responsibilities for operators. PAL Robotics documents a browser-based web interface for managing and teleoperating ARI.
Suitable if: You want to trial regular use with agreed training and integration support.
Consider: Renting does not replace in-house support or a data protection assessment. The contract should cover maintenance, spare parts, response times and remote access.
Assess the scope of dialogue, data processing and day-to-day support separately. A local processing step does not automatically clarify the full data flow for voice interactions or remote access.
| Need | What to look for when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting and information | Ask to see the planned questions and languages in action; establish who maintains the text and dialogue flows, and when staff take over. | If I want to answer common questions, I need clear, easy-to-maintain content and a straightforward handover to staff. Around 25 % of consumers put visitor information first. |
| Image, audio and conversation data | Clarify data flows, recipients, storage and deletion for each activated feature; do not assume sensors can be switched off without evidence. | If I need to avoid or limit the collection of personal data at reception, I want to understand how each feature processes data. Around 31 % of consumers prioritise control over data. |
| Support and remote access | Define user roles, access security, session time-outs, responsibilities for remote maintenance and procedures for dealing with faults. | If I expect unusual questions or technical problems, I need someone I can reach and clearly defined access permissions. Around 25 % of consumers see support and remote access as their top priority. |
| Integration and contract | Compare set-up, network requirements, training, maintenance, spare parts and, where relevant, mapped navigation areas in writing. | If I want to integrate a robot into my building’s day-to-day operations, I need a clearly defined implementation and support package. Around 19 % of consumers prioritise integration and the scope of the contract. |
For uMe Uno, United Robotics Group describes local processing of camera images and person recognition, but names an external AI service for spoken dialogue.
Check image, audio and conversation data separately, and ask for details of the data flows in the configuration on offer.
PAL Robotics’ ARI web documentation, which we reviewed, lists default login details and sessions with no time limit.
Secure access before putting the robot into operation, and decide who is allowed to take responsibility for remote control and maintenance.
United Robotics Group describes uMe Trio as navigating within areas defined in advance; for uMe Uno, the supplier lists voice, a display and pre-set workflows.
Start by defining the visitor journey you need. Only ask for navigation if visitors really need to be guided through a suitable, approved area.
Mapping, configuration and support may involve additional costs, depending on the offer. Clarify what is included before making a decision.
United Robotics Group’s product information lists uMe Uno for voice, a display and pre-set workflows, including reception scenarios.
According to PAL Robotics, ARI combines humanoid interaction, a touchscreen and teleoperation. A manufacturer example shows it being used as a reception robot in Barcelona.
Furhat Robotics describes Furhat as a conversation-focused platform for interaction and research.
The Joybuy products below include humanoid development and interaction robots for projects involving demonstrations or development work. They are not automatically ready-to-use reception systems. Before deployment, check the dialogue features you need, data flows and the level of support provided.
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This model could suit a reception project as a development platform if you plan to build the interaction features yourself.
The product name lists 48 TOPS AI and 22-DoF.
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The offer describes a platform for education, research and development. It may be suitable if visitor interaction is part of a project of this kind.
The product name lists 117 TOPS AI and 22-DoF.
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The offer describes a humanoid interaction platform for projects that need a screen and audio interface. Check in advance which dialogues the specific configuration supports.
The product name specifies operation by one person.
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The offer lists commercial demonstrations and interactive use as potential applications. Check whether the specific configuration suits your reception workflow.
The product name lists 29 Total Degrees of Freedom and 16 Joint Degrees of Freedom. According to the product information, the model is not suitable for anyone under 14; take particular care when operating it near children.
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The offer lists autonomous navigation and interaction features. Plan to use this model only under supervision, and assess the environment in advance.
The product information requires supervised operation with a minimum distance of 2 m. It warns that transparent surfaces, thin objects and sudden drops may not be detected.
No. For uMe Uno, United Robotics Group describes local camera-image processing and person recognition, but currently names an external AI service for spoken dialogue. For ARI, PAL Robotics lists on-device speech recognition and an optional Google integration. Check the configuration you are ordering and assess the data flows for each feature separately.
Decide who will manage the content, how enquiries are handed over to staff, how network access is handled and who is responsible for each task. For ARI, PAL Robotics documents management, status monitoring and teleoperation; its web documentation lists default login details and sessions with no time limit. Secure the accounts and set access rules before opening to the public.
No, not simply because a camera is being used. According to guidance from the European Data Protection Board, a data protection impact assessment is required before processing that is likely to pose a high risk to people’s rights and freedoms. The specific features and data flows planned are what matter.
Compare training, content maintenance, servicing, spare parts, remote access and fault procedures as specific contractual services. United Robotics Group describes purchase or Robot-as-a-Service options, as well as a ticketing route for maintenance and contract queries. Make sure response times and the scope of services are set out in the relevant contract.
Where personal data is collected directly from visitors, information must generally be provided at the time of collection under Article 13 of the GDPR, although exceptions may apply. The German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information explains these information requirements. Make sure the notice reflects the features actually used and the data processing involved.