For recurring greetings and enquiries, first test the dialogue and display functions actually available at your own reception desk. A platform with visitor guidance is worth considering if guests need to be escorted. Then compare how the enabled features handle data, along with training, responsibilities and integration requirements. Manufacturer descriptions alone do not prove that a robot will consistently ease the reception team's workload or be configured in line with data protection requirements.
If visitors often ask the same questions, voice interactions and on-screen information could be useful. United Robotics Group describes these features for uMe; a town hall project by Furtwangen University used Pepper as a voice- and display-enabled information terminal. You should also decide who will keep the content up to date and handle unusual enquiries.
If cameras, microphones, dialogue services or external systems are used at reception, clarify how the specific configuration processes data before you proceed. The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information covers data protection requirements; processing perception data locally does not automatically explain how other features work.
If guests need more than information and are to be escorted to specific areas, test the navigation and supervised workflows at your own site. UBTECH describes navigation features for Cruzr models, but this alone does not demonstrate that a robot will work at your location.
Start by deciding which tasks the robot is actually expected to handle at reception. Then ask for a demonstration of those exact workflows, and clarify data processing, responsibilities and the integration required for your intended setup.
| Requirement | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Greetings and enquiries | Ask for German-language test dialogues, on-screen presentation, answer updates and handover of unanswered questions to be demonstrated. | If I want the robot to answer common visitor questions clearly, I need well-maintained content and a clear handover process. Around 40 % of consumers put routine enquiries first. |
| Data processing | For every enabled feature, clarify the data involved, purpose, storage, recipients and deletion options; assess camera use separately. | If we may handle sensitive data, I want to understand and limit how it is processed during reception duties. Around 30 % of consumers prioritise control over data flows. |
| Operation and integration | Ask for a clear breakdown of standard workflows, required interfaces, training, and responsibility for content changes and ongoing support. | If I need to use a solution day to day, I need clear processes for setup, maintenance and handover. Around 20 % of consumers focus primarily on the effort involved in operation and integration. |
| Visitor guidance | Ask for the intended indoor routes to be demonstrated and confirm whether navigation is included in the version on offer. | If guests need to be escorted to specific areas, an information point alone will not be enough. Around 10 % of consumers prioritise visitor guidance. |
A manufacturer’s statement about local perception does not automatically explain how dialogue, teleoperation or analytics features process data.
Ask for a separate description of the data flows for every enabled feature, along with details of the available options to switch features off and delete data.
Configurable dialogues do not prove that the robot connects to your visitor or calendar system.
Ask for the complete workflow you want to be demonstrated, and make sure the quote clearly distinguishes between existing features and any integration work required.
Setup and ongoing maintenance may also create extra practical tasks for your team.
Furtwangen University described potential workload reduction as an aim of a time-limited town hall trial, not as a proven outcome for ongoing operation.
Before planning day-to-day use, assess your own trial against recurring questions, handovers to staff and the support required.
The supplier describes the uMe platform as suitable for speech, displays, pre-configured workflows and reception. United Robotics Group says it is available to buy or rent, with training provided.
UBTECH describes Cruzr models as suitable for greetings, enquiries and visitor guidance.
Pepper is a humanoid-style platform for interacting with visitors. Furtwangen University documented a trial using it as a pre-configured information point in a town hall.
The following Joybuy products are humanoid robots with different development and interaction capabilities. Their product details do not automatically demonstrate that they are suitable as reception systems; check that the dialogue, operational and data protection features you need are available for your intended use.
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The product description lists commercial demonstrations and interactive accompaniment as potential uses.
29 degrees of freedom in total and 16 joint degrees of freedom. According to the product details, no SDK/API is available for this version.
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The product description positions this version as an embodied AI development platform; check whether it suits your planned reception workflow.
48 TOPS AI and 22-DoF.
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The product description lists an education and research development platform; check whether its features are suited to your planned visitor-facing use.
117 TOPS AI and 22-DoF.
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A microphone array, speaker and interactive screen are relevant for spoken and on-screen information at reception; clarify the data flows for the features you plan to use.
The product details list autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance, as well as secondary development.
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The product description lists voice interaction and an interactive screen; check whether the specific configuration covers your reception workflows.
Other listed features include motion control and one-person operation.
For uMe, United Robotics Group describes pre-configured skills and the setup of dialogues and workflows through uGo+ without programming knowledge. Ask the supplier to confirm in the specific quote whether the workflow you want can connect to calendars, visitor databases or notifications.
Assign responsibility for site information, set a process for unanswered questions and clarify how enquiries are handed over to staff. Furtwangen University documented specially prepared information for its town hall trial; the time-limited test does not demonstrate maintenance-free ongoing operation.
There is no general answer without comparable quotes. United Robotics Group offers uMe to buy or rent; compare the same features, including setup, training, support, content updates and contract length.
No. If a non-public organisation uses a camera for video surveillance, you must check the applicable data protection requirements. The guidance from the Data Protection Conference covers video surveillance, but it does not approve any particular robot configuration.
No. United Robotics Group uses this description in relation to uMe's perception functions. Consider speech, image, teleoperation and analytics features individually for your intended use; if personal data is involved, you must also take the relevant data protection requirements and information obligations into account.