For a one-off trade fair, a staffed hire is a straightforward option if you’re planning a welcome or demonstration with an agreed running order. If you want to try out the interaction at your own venue first, a trial deployment can help before making a longer-term commitment. Buying or leasing may be more suitable for regular appearances, provided you have organised operation and support. The key considerations are the specific functions that can be demonstrated, the event space, and the safety and data protection settings.
If you’re planning a prepared welcome or demonstration for a one-off appearance, you could consider a staffed hire rather than building your own robotics team. EF Robotics and TONEART list humanoid robots for events and trade fairs.
A trial before making a longer-term commitment could be useful if you want to test movements and interactions in the space you have in mind. X-Tech Robotics describes trial hire options, while Fraunhofer IPA highlights the gap between the hype and the realities of practical use.
If you use a robot frequently, it’s worth comparing the costs of running your own against repeated hires, and planning who will operate and support it. X-Tech Robotics lists hire and purchase options, while Unitree documents a range of model variants.
First, decide whether a fixed demonstration is enough or whether you expect unscripted interaction. Then compare how the space will be managed, what support is available and which data functions are enabled.
A good fit if: you’re planning a welcome or show with an agreed running order and need an operator on site.
Things to weigh up: Operator, scene setup and support depend on the specific offer, so make sure they’re explicitly agreed.
A good fit if: you want to test movements, routes and interactions in your own event space first.
Things to weigh up: X-Tech Robotics lists trial hire from one week. Its offering also focuses on industry and logistics, so confirm the event model and support arrangements for your needs.
A good fit if: you need the same model and demonstration programme regularly, and have people in place to manage its operation.
Things to weigh up: Operation, maintenance, transport and scheduling all need to be organised. Hire and leasing terms aren’t directly comparable across the board.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who will find it particularly important |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrable interaction | Ask for the desired phrases, languages and movements to be demonstrated on the model you’re considering, using the planned controls. | If you’re expecting a particular welcome or show, you’ll want to see the routine in advance. Around 33% of consumers put demonstrable interaction first. |
| Space and safe operation | Agree routes, flooring, distance from the audience, transport, power supply, charging location and operator responsibilities with the supplier and venue. | If your stand is small or there will be audience traffic, you’ll want to know whether the movement and supervision arrangements suit the venue. Around 27% of consumers pay particular attention to managing the space and operation. |
| Support and commitment | Clearly define the operator, transport, setup, training, technical support and maintenance in the offer. | If you’re deciding between a one-off event and regular use, you’ll want to know which tasks you’ll need to handle yourself. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the level of support and commitment involved. |
| Image and voice data | Before use, check whether personal image or audio data is processed, stored or transferred, and who is responsible for this. | If the robot has a camera, microphone or voice functions, you’ll want to understand exactly how the data flows before using it. For around 20% of consumers, clarifying data protection is a priority. |
Manufacturer claims about features and variants don’t automatically mean a robot will respond freely and reliably to visitors in your planned setup. Suppliers may describe prepared sequences and operator services.
Ask for your planned routine to be demonstrated on the model you’re considering, using the intended controls.
The robot alone doesn’t automatically include setup, operation, scene planning or technical support. Some hire offers explicitly list these services.
Ask for the same scope of service to be set out in writing for both hire and purchase.
Conformity documents for the specific system and an assessment of hazards at the event venue address different questions.
Check the documents for the specific system separately from the planned operating routine and on-site conditions.
Manufacturer of the G1 and R1 humanoid robots, which are listed in German event hire offers.
German supplier offering staffed hire of the Unitree G1 for trade fairs and brand appearances.
Supplier advertising a Unitree G1 for hire at events and trade fairs.
Supplier offering hire and purchase options, with services such as delivery, setup and training.
The following Joybuy products relate to humanoid robotics for planned demonstrations, movement displays and interactive formats. Check the functions, variants and limitations for your particular event.
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The product listing describes commercial demonstrations, content creation and interactive use as possible applications. Ask for the specific function you need to be demonstrated before the event.
29 degrees of freedom in total, including 16 joint degrees of freedom. According to the product information, no SDK/API is available for this version.
The product information warns against use by anyone under 14 and calls for particular care in environments where children are present.
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The product listing describes the K1 Geek as a humanoid development platform for embodied AI. Check whether this makes it suitable for your technical demonstration.
48 TOPS and 22 degrees of freedom, according to the product listing.
The product description identifies researchers and developers as the platform’s target audience; this alone doesn’t demonstrate that it’s ready for event interactions.
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The product information lists movement sequences and multimodal interaction. Check in advance which functions are set up for your intended format.
LiDAR and RGB-D cameras are listed for the Ultra version. The product information requires supervised operation and specifies a safety distance of at least 2 m.
Transparent or thin obstacles, as well as sudden changes in level, may not be detected. Plan operation accordingly and check the intended movement area on site.
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The product listing mentions intelligent interaction and movement control. Check that the specific model can perform the gestures and routines you need.
The description lists an interactive RGB sensor, audio input and output, and a touch sensor for the X2 range. According to the variant comparison, secondary development isn’t supported for the X2.
The description gives the X2’s weight as approximately 35 kg and its dimensions as 1310 × 460 × 210 mm.
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The product listing mentions an integrated AI voice model and intelligent interaction. Ask for the voice function you need to be demonstrated on the specific variant.
20 degrees of freedom and a monocular camera, according to the product listing.
The product information warns against operating the robot near stairs, edges or uneven surfaces, and highlights the risks posed by moving joints, water and high humidity. It also specifies a minimum age of 6 years.
Agree the movement area, controls and transport with the supplier, and check the rules at your specific venue. The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) emphasises that example risk assessments don’t replace an on-site assessment. Messe Berlin, for example, provides its own technical guidelines and hall plans. You can’t use these to determine a universal minimum distance or power connection for every robot.
No. The presence of a camera alone doesn’t prove that recording takes place. Check which functions are enabled and how data actually flows. If personal image or audio data is processed, you’ll need to check the legal basis and information requirements for your specific use. The BfDI explains the data protection implications of video surveillance and the duty to provide information when collecting data.
Get written confirmation of who is responsible for the operator, setup, scene setup, training, transport and technical support. TONEART lists several of these services for its G1 event offer, but this doesn’t mean other suppliers offer the same package. Compare the agreed services for your specific event.
For the specific system, check whether Directive 2006/42/EC applies, as well as its CE marking and EC declaration of conformity. The European Commission confirms the date limit, and the Directive sets out the requirements for marking and the declaration. These documents alone don’t assess whether the system can be operated safely in a particular event space.