One-off trade show appearances
You need a short, supported activity for visitors, want to agree the running order in advance and don’t want to set up your own robot operation.
Which option is right for you?
Teams running regular demos
You want to use the same robot at several events and can organise its operation, transport and maintenance.
Teams with their own presentation formats
You want to customise content and interactions yourself, and test that they work before using them with visitors.
What should you check before buying?
First, decide which task is the priority at your stand. Depending on the event, several of the following requirements may matter at once.
| Requirement | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Supported demonstration | Confirm the demonstration area, visitor flow, supervision and stop procedure for the exact model on offer. | If you’re planning movements near visitors, you’ll want to be able to control the running order and supervision. Around 33% of consumers put a supported demonstration first. |
| Suitable interaction | Check the language you need, whether you can control the conversation content and how it performs amid trade show noise. Also confirm whether image, voice or survey data will be collected or stored. | For a demo involving greetings, presentations or questions, it’s important that the content suits your event. Around 27% of consumers prioritise visitor interaction. |
| Set-up and transport | Check the weight and transport case of the exact model against access to the stand, charging location and planned breaks. | If your team has limited time or space for set-up, you’ll need a transport and charging plan you can rely on. Around 20% of consumers put this logistics requirement first. |
| Buy or hire | For the same event date, compare the robot, operator, travel, set-up, content, charging and breakdown arrangements, as well as service. | If you’re considering several events, you’ll want to compare costs and responsibilities beyond a single appearance. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the buy-or-hire decision. |
Supported hire with an operator
A good fit if: You’re planning a one-off appearance or a trial run and want to arrange on-site operation. 33bots and EF Robotics describe supported event services.
Consider: You’ll need to confirm the date, the operator’s duties and the scope of the service in the specific offer.
Your own robot for regular demos
A good fit if: You’re planning several supported demonstrations and can allocate staff to operation and logistics.
Consider: You can plan dates and running orders yourself, but your team remains responsible for operation, transport and servicing.
A platform for your own presentation formats
A good fit if: You want to develop interactions and content yourself and test them before using them with an audience. AGIBOT describes customisable knowledge bases for the A2.
Consider: Customising the platform takes development and testing time. The K1’s listed languages, Chinese and English, don’t mean you can assume it will support a German-language demo.
Common purchasing pitfalls
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Choosing the G1 Base based on EDU features
Unitree distinguishes between the G1 and G1 EDU, and a retailer’s description may list features from different models. Don’t assume that EDU equipment is included with a G1 Base offer without checking.
Ask the supplier to confirm the specification of the exact model, then test your planned demo with that model.
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Comparing an event package with a robot-only offer
A hire package may include an operator or other event services, whereas a purchase offer may describe the robot alone.
Compare buying and hiring for the same event date, and ask for written confirmation of the tasks and services included.
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Assuming speech capability means it can interact in German
Booster Robotics lists Chinese and English for the K1’s voice interaction. That doesn’t confirm that it can run a German-language demo.
Test the planned German dialogue with the exact configuration before you buy.
Brands to consider
Unitree
The G1 could be an option as your own demo platform. The manufacturer distinguishes the G1 from the G1 EDU, so the name alone doesn’t confirm the specification of a particular offer.
- Unitree gives the G1’s standing dimensions as 1320 × 450 × 200 mm and its weight as approximately 35 kg with battery. These manufacturer figures can help with transport planning, but don’t confirm that it’s suitable for a specific visitor demo.
- Before choosing, check the exact model and specification included in the offer.
AGIBOT
AGIBOT presents the A2 as an interactive presentation system. The X2 is a separate model for purchase, and shouldn’t be assumed to have the A2’s features.
- AGIBOT describes customisable company knowledge bases and a runtime of around two hours for the A2. These manufacturer claims don’t automatically apply to the X2.
- A retailer’s description of the X2 mentions remote control and a transport case. This doesn’t confirm that every model has the same specification or is suitable for a trade show stand.
Booster Robotics
The manufacturer describes the K1 as a development and demo platform for teams that will handle operation and testing themselves.
- Booster Robotics lists app and controller operation, as well as a soft emergency stop that can be triggered using the controller, app or robot.
- The manufacturer lists Chinese and English for conversations; this doesn’t confirm that it can interact with visitors in German.
33bots
33bots offers a supported hire option for events, rather than a robot for purchase that’s been confirmed here.
- 33bots lists an operator, travel and branding in its own event offer.
- The model, date and contract scope need to be confirmed individually. Marketing claims about visitor impact aren’t independent evidence of results.
EF Robotics
EF Robotics describes support with planning and supervising robots at trade shows, as well as help with buying and hiring decisions.
- The provider lists advice, set-up, supervision, training and servicing among its services.
- The general offer doesn’t mean that an operator or this exact range of services is confirmed for every booking.
Humanoid robots at Joybuy
The Joybuy products below are humanoid robots for purchase, intended for your own supported demos and development work. This selection doesn’t include a hire option with an operator.
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Booster Robotics K1 Geek Humanoid Robot, 48 TOPS AI, 22-DoF
Described as a development platform, it could suit teams looking to create and test their own demo formats.
The product title lists 48 TOPS and 22 degrees of freedom.
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Booster Robotics K1 Edu Humanoid Robot, 117 TOPS AI, 22-DoF
Described as an education and research platform, it could suit teams preparing their own demo formats.
The product title lists 117 TOPS and 22 degrees of freedom.
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AGIBOT X2 Ultra Humanoid Robot
The title lists remote control and secondary development as potential features for a supported, customisable demo.
It also lists autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance. For autonomous operation, the product description requires supervision and a clearance of at least 2 m. It also warns that not all obstacles will be detected.
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AGIBOT X2 Humanoid Robot
The product title lists intelligent interaction, movement control and single-person operation as features for a supported demo.
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Unitree R1 Air Humanoid Robot, Monocular Camera, 20 Degrees of Freedom
The product title lists an integrated AI language model and intelligent interaction as potential features for a visitor demo.
It also lists a monocular camera and 20 degrees of freedom. The product description warns against operating it near stairs, edges or uneven surfaces, and highlights its moving joints.
Frequently asked questions
Does a CE mark mean a robot is approved for every trade show demo?
No. According to the European Union, CE marking is required only for products covered by relevant EU rules that require it. Check the marking and documentation for the exact model separately from its planned use at your stand. A mark alone doesn’t confirm that it’s suitable for your demonstration.
What should I check before set-up and daily operation?
Plan the demonstration area, who will operate the robot, the transport route, charging breaks and how to stop the demonstration. Booster Robotics describes a soft emergency stop on the K1 via the controller, app or robot; you can’t assume that other models have the same emergency stop function.
Can the robot film or listen to visitors, or store their survey responses?
If personal data is processed, you must identify an appropriate legal basis under the GDPR in advance. In general, people must be informed when their data is collected. The appropriate basis for a particular camera, microphone or survey feature depends on its purpose and how the data is handled (Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information; European Data Protection Board).
What should I compare when buying or hiring with support?
Compare the same event date and the same scope: the robot or hire, operator, travel, set-up, content, breaks and servicing. 33bots lists an operator, travel and branding in its own offer; these services aren’t automatically included when you buy a robot. Ask for the date and scope of services to be confirmed in the relevant offer.