For a one-off trade fair appearance or live event, a managed rental is often the more practical choice. TONEART describes services that include an operator and technical specialists. Buying may be a better fit for regular demonstrations, provided your business can handle operation, transport and maintenance itself. Before booking, agree the robot’s movements, setup area, escape routes and responsibilities with the venue.
If you don’t want your own team to handle operation and setup, a managed rental is a natural choice. TONEART describes services that include an operator and technical specialists. The specific tasks they’ll take on should be set out in your agreement.
When planning your stand and the flow of visitors, consider the robot’s operating area, the audience zone and routes that must be kept clear together. The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health explains the importance of keeping escape routes clear in workplaces. Approval for the specific venue must be agreed separately.
Owning a robot requires ongoing arrangements for operation, storage, transport and maintenance. The model variant also matters if you plan to adapt the Unitree G1 technically: according to Unitree Robotics, the standard shop version does not support secondary development; the manufacturer recommends the EDU version for this.
A good choice if: You have a one-off event or a changing venue, and don’t want to set up your own robotics operation.
Things to weigh up: The model, operating time and any additional services depend on the provider’s agreed offer.
A good choice if: You’re planning regular events and can organise trained staff, transport and maintenance on an ongoing basis.
Things to weigh up: Your team will be responsible for operation and preparation at every new venue. Any adaptations you need must be compatible with the model variant you buy.
| What matters | What to check when choosing | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Operating area and escape routes | Agree the setup location, audience zone and route of movement with the venue. Decide who is responsible for intervening and stopping the demonstration. | If people gather in front of my stand, I want to be able to control the demonstration without narrowing any routes. For around 36 % of consumers, this safe setup comes first. |
| Support and logistics | Set out operator hours, delivery, setup and pack-down, and technical support in the scope of service. | For a short guest appearance, I don’t want to have to organise operation and transport internally at the last minute. Around 29 % of consumers prioritise having an operator on hand. |
| Interaction and branding | Describe the scenes you want as specific sequences, and check whether they’ll be pre-programmed, remotely controlled or operated in another way. | For a brand presentation, I need an interaction that can be demonstrated and is easy for the audience to follow. About 21 % of consumers put this kind of presentation first. |
| Renting or operating your own robot | Plan regular events, as well as staffing, storage, transport and maintenance between appearances. | If I want to use the robot regularly, what matters most is whether my team can support its ongoing operation. For around 14 % of consumers, being able to reuse it themselves is the priority. |
Unitree Robotics’ documentation describes a remotely controlled movement mode for the G1. A prepared scene with an operator doesn’t prove that the robot can hold spontaneous conversations or navigate freely around a trade fair stand on its own.
Describe each visitor interaction you want as a sequence that can be checked. Arrange a test run in advance, and agree how it will be operated, its limitations and how to stop it.
A robot needs space to move, as do its audience and any barriers. The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes that extended narrowing of horizontal escape routes can delay evacuation.
Mark out the operating and audience areas on your stand plan, then agree the plan with the venue and safety leads before the event.
TONEART describes an operator, scene setup and technical support as possible parts of its managed services. Your agreement for the specific event should confirm whether delivery, setup, branding and collection are included.
Ask for a clear scope of service covering operating times, staff, logistics, contacts and what happens if the demonstration is interrupted.
If you own the platform, your team will need to organise operation, transport, maintenance and preparations for each venue. The model variant also matters for technical adaptations: Unitree Robotics recommends the EDU version of the G1 for secondary development.
Before buying, put together a plan for regular events, responsible staff and safe demonstrations at different venues.
The Unitree G1 is a humanoid platform also featured in German listings for managed event appearances.
A German rental and service provider for managed robotics at events and in businesses.
These humanoid robots may suit businesses planning regular demonstrations with their own operating arrangements. Choosing a product is no substitute for booking a managed event service or agreeing the details of the venue where it will be used.
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For regular demonstrations operated by your own team, check the movements and interactions you want before the event. Ask for confirmation of which features described for the X2 range apply to the specific X2 Ultra variant, and who will supervise the demonstration on site.
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A set operating and movement sequence is essential for a regular presentation programme of your own. Before buying, check which interactive features are actually included with this X2, as the X2 and X2 Ultra are separate variants.
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For a demonstration of your own featuring speech and movement, the product listing specifies two cameras, 26 degrees of freedom and an integrated AI language model. Confirm the demonstration sequence, charging requirements and supervision arrangements. The product description warns of collision and movement risks.
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For regular demonstrations with planned voice interaction, the product listing specifies a monocular camera, 20 degrees of freedom and an integrated AI language model. Agree the specific sequence and supervision arrangements. The product description warns of falls and movement risks, particularly near stairs or edges.
You’ll need to check with the venue and the people responsible whether the planned demonstration is allowed at that specific location. If the area falls within the scope of workplace regulations, ASR A2.3 sets out requirements for escape routes and emergency exits. You’ll also need to take into account the venue’s rules, its safety plan and any other local requirements that apply.
For a managed rental, you should clearly assign control, supervision and intervention to a responsible person. TONEART describes its rental services as including an operator and technical specialists. Specify in the contract who will be present during the demonstration and who can stop it if needed.
The documented remote-control mode doesn’t provide enough information to make a general claim about autonomous interactions at events. Unitree Robotics describes a movement mode that can be controlled remotely. For each scene you want, ask for confirmation of whether it will be pre-programmed, operator-assisted or autonomous under specific conditions.
For the specific model, agree delivery, setup and operating areas, power supply, any network access required, and setup and pack-down times. Also agree with the provider and venue who is responsible if the robot stops operating.
Before confirming a demonstration, check the cover against the actual contracts and planned use. Get written confirmation from the rental provider or operator, event organiser, venue and insurer about who is responsible for damage during transport and operation.