For recurring enquiries or a planned visitor tour, a social service platform may be the better fit, provided its dialogue, content and route have been set up and tested for your venue. For a temporary trade fair appearance, a demonstration platform with an operator may be more suitable. For regular use, whether you buy or hire depends on whether your own team can handle set-up and operation. Before purchasing, also check the documentation for the specific model and which data features are actually enabled.
If your process involves welcoming visitors, providing information and potentially handing them over to staff, consider dialogue-focused service platforms rather than focusing solely on demonstration movements. PAL Robotics documents voice features for ARI, while UBTECH describes Cruzr as offering functions including welcoming visitors and providing information.
For a temporary appearance, key factors include a set running order, an operator and technical support. TONEART describes its models as available to hire with an operator and technical specialists.
If you want to update content or visitor routes regularly, check whether your own team can handle set-up and operation. PAL Robotics describes an integrated reception project in Barcelona; this example does not demonstrate that the system is ready for immediate use at a venue in Germany.
A good fit if: welcoming visitors, providing information or offering a planned tour regularly matters more than a demonstration of movement alone.
Bear in mind: dialogue, venue-specific content and safe routes must be set up and tested for the intended use.
A good fit if: you are planning a hosted presentation at a temporary trade fair stand.
Bear in mind: a demonstration platform is not automatically set up to provide information or guide visitors independently.
| What you need | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Information and directions | Ask for a demonstration of dialogues covering typical visitor questions, the languages required, on-screen text and handover to staff. | If I want to answer recurring questions at reception or direct visitors to the right place, an appropriate information and handover solution matters. Around 29 % of consumers prioritise clear information and directions. |
| Operator-led trade fair appearance | Agree on the demonstration script, duration, operator, visitor distance and what to do if the demonstration is interrupted. | If my trade fair stand is intended to host a planned, moderated technology presentation rather than provide ongoing visitor guidance, the support arrangements need to fit the schedule. For around 21 % of consumers, this type of demonstration is the main priority. |
| Safety and data | Plan the operating area, supervision and procedure for incidents. If data features are enabled, check how data will be processed and how visitors will be informed for the intended use. | If I want to use a robot in a publicly accessible area, I need to understand its operation and any data processing in advance. Around 29 % of consumers prioritise being able to control how a robot is used around visitors. |
| Buying or hiring with support | Compare offers covering the same scope of use, including set-up, operator, logistics, servicing and arrangements for breakdowns. | If my team cannot set up and operate the platform themselves on a regular basis, I want to factor in support services. Around 21 % of consumers pay particular attention to how operation and support are divided between their own team and a service provider. |
Components for movement or audio do not mean that venue-specific answers have been set up. The reception project described by PAL Robotics included integration tailored to the location.
Ask to see the visitor task you need demonstrated as a specific process, and distinguish between a show, providing information and actual visitor registration.
Additional content, integration or an operator may be part of what is needed to use the platform.
Unitree lists different specifications for the G1 and G1 EDU. Custom-built desktop robots may also differ from reference specifications.
Check the full model and variant name, along with the accessories actually included, against the offer and documentation.
The data processed depends on which features are enabled and how they are used. The Data Protection Conference notes that cameras may also be used for additional analysis.
List the active camera, microphone, registration and cloud features individually, then check the relevant requirements for your intended use.
Reviewing the specific data flow and choosing the right configuration requires coordination before use.
A German rental provider describes operator and technical support, as well as additional configuration and logistics services for its rental offers. A simple comparison of the devices leaves these tasks out.
Specify the same scope of use for both options and put responsibilities in writing.
Transport, set-up, technical staff and support in the event of a fault can all affect how the event runs.
ARI is a social humanoid platform for providing information, touchscreen interaction and customisable content.
The manufacturer describes Cruzr as a wheeled humanoid service robot for welcoming visitors, providing information and guiding them.
The bipedal G1 is worth considering for comparison when planning an operator-led technology demonstration.
Ameca Desktop is a stationary humanoid platform for hosted conversations and technology presentations, not mobile visitor guidance.
Furhat is a stationary social conversation platform for hosted speech and facial interaction in a showroom.
The following Joybuy products are humanoid platforms for operator-led technology demonstrations and presentations. They are not necessarily a substitute for a set-up reception or visitor guidance service.
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Described as a development platform featuring human–robot interaction, making it a potential option for an operator-led technology presentation.
The product title lists 48 TOPS AI and 22-DoF; the description mentions that it can walk.
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The listed AI voice interaction may be useful for an operator-led technology presentation; it does not demonstrate that a reception dialogue is ready to use.
The product title lists two cameras, 26 degrees of freedom and an integrated AI language model. The safety instructions require sufficient space and supervision; children should not operate the robot alone.
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Described as a platform for an operator-led technology presentation; plan your demonstration in line with the safety instructions.
The product title lists 20 degrees of freedom, a monocular camera and an integrated AI language model. The robot should be operated under supervision and kept away from stairs, edges and uneven surfaces; the warning states that it must be kept away from water and high humidity.
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The movement capabilities described make this model suitable for a hosted robotics demonstration, but not automatically for a reception service.
According to the product title and description, this version does not have an SDK/API. It is not suitable for anyone under 14; take particular care when children are nearby.
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Navigation and interaction are listed as features for a technically supported presentation; the specific configuration needs to suit the venue and intended use.
For the X2 Ultra variant, the description lists LiDAR, an RGB-D camera, audio input and output, and an interactive screen. The safety instructions require supervised operation and a distance of at least 2 m; transparent surfaces, thin objects and drops may not be detected.
Not on the basis of general product features alone. PAL Robotics describes a reception project in Barcelona with integration tailored to the venue, including QR registration, notifications and a showroom route. Check which integrations and content you need for your own set-up.
Define the operating area, visitor route, who is responsible for operating the robot, and how it will be stopped or handed over at your venue. Check the model's manual too. The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) treats public human–robot interaction as an area for further safety research; this does not establish a universal minimum distance. If employees set up or operate the robot, their employer must assess the risks associated with their work under § 5 ArbSchG.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Compare offers for the same duration and scope, including preparation, operator, transport, configuration, breakdown arrangements and servicing. TONEART describes these support services as included in or available as options for its rental offers.
No. The European Union's Your Europe website explains that manufacturers are responsible for meeting the relevant product requirements and that all applicable rules must be considered when more than one applies. For the specific model, check the declaration of conformity, user manual and relevant safety documentation. The EU Machinery Regulation will replace the current Machinery Directive only from 20 January 2027.
For features that are actually enabled, check what personal data is processed, for what purpose and how visitors must be informed. The Data Protection Conference notes that smart cameras may be used for additional analysis. According to the European Commission, transparency rules for certain AI systems that are intended to inform people when they are interacting with AI have applied since 2 August 2026; whether they apply depends on the active features and the specific use.