For a one-off exhibition with little in-house robotics expertise, a supported hire package is a natural starting point. If you’re planning regular demonstrations, buying your own platform could be a better fit, provided your team can organise its operation and logistics. What matters most is the support available on site, the venue’s requirements and the type of interaction you have in mind. If your main aim is to share information, an interactive display could also be an option.
If you’re planning a demonstration for a single day at a trade fair or an open day, and don’t have your own robotics team, check who’ll operate the robot on site and what’s included in the package. ECOSPHERE lists two technicians, set-up and dismantling, and an induction as part of its hire package.
In a confined space, the demonstration area, visitor flow and the specific venue’s requirements all need to work together. Unitree requires a sufficient safety distance for the R1, while Messe Düsseldorf notes that different technical guidelines may apply to individual events.
If you’re planning several appearances and can organise the operation and logistics yourself, compare the exact version available to buy with the support you’ll need. If your main aim is to share information, a touchscreen display could also be suitable; eyefactive describes uses such as product information and forms.
A good fit if: you’re planning a one-off or occasional event and don’t want to provide your own operations team.
Consider: Staffing, set-up, induction and other services vary by package, so confirm what’s included for your venue and event schedule.
A good fit if: you’re planning regular demonstrations and can organise staff for transport, set-up and operation.
Consider: Buying a platform doesn’t replace the need to plan each deployment or provide the necessary on-site support.
A good fit if: visitors mainly need to explore information or applications themselves, or you don’t need a humanoid movement demonstration.
Consider: A display won’t demonstrate humanoid movement. Content and, where relevant, form data need to be planned separately.
Compare the options based on what matters most for your event: support for a one-off appearance, organised operation across multiple events, or an information-led interaction with visitors.
| Consideration | What to check when buying or reviewing a package | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Support and schedule | Confirm the hours of operation, operator, set-up and dismantling, induction, insurance and travel arrangements individually. | If I don’t have my own robotics team for a one-off exhibition, I want to know who’ll run the demonstration and what I’ll be responsible for. Around 33% of consumers prioritise support and the event schedule. |
| Space and visitor flow | Agree on the stand space, flooring, power supply, organiser requirements, safety distance and what to do if something goes wrong. | At a small stand, I need to fit the demonstration around visitor traffic and take the venue’s requirements into account. Around 27% of consumers focus first on space and safe operation. |
| Interaction and data | Clarify the planned functions, image and voice inputs, data storage, external services and responsibilities. | If visitors might speak to the system or provide personal details, I want to understand in advance what data will be processed and whether a display would better suit the information I want to share. Around 20% of consumers prioritise interaction content and data protection. |
| Regular use | Compare the model version, training, support, maintenance, storage and assistance for your planned events. | If I’m planning several demonstrations, I want to know whether my team can take care of transport and operation on an ongoing basis. Around 20% of consumers prioritise repeated use. |
Packages vary in how long staff are on site and which tasks they cover. Unless you check the details, responsibilities for travel, set-up or operation may be left unclear.
Ask for a written breakdown of the services for your event and venue, including any tasks your team will need to handle itself.
A list of features doesn’t tell you what personal data a particular demonstration will process or whether the content has already been set up. The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information notes that image capture can potentially infringe people’s personal rights.
Decide on the features and dialogue content, then check exactly how data will be processed before inviting visitors to interact. If your aim is to share information, a display could also be an option.
Unitree distinguishes between models such as the G1 and G1 EDU, which differ in equipment and expansion options. Specifications for one version therefore don’t automatically apply to another.
Compare the full model name, the equipment included and the support provided.
Manufacturer of humanoid platforms such as the G1 and R1, available to buy or as part of supported demonstration packages.
German provider of supported Unitree G1 Education hire for trade fairs, open days and trials.
Event services provider offering supported robotics demonstrations at exhibition stands, including humanoid models.
Provider of supported humanoid and non-humanoid robotics for events and trade fairs.
Provider of interactive touch displays and software as an information-led alternative to humanoid demonstrations.
The following Joybuy listings are humanoid platforms for movement demonstrations and interaction. They don’t replace planning for support or checking the venue, visitor flow and data processing.
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The product name describes this version as suitable for commercial demonstrations and interactive support.
According to the title, this version doesn’t have an SDK/API available.
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The product name positions this platform for education, research and development; check whether that makes it suitable for your planned demonstration.
The product name lists 117 TOPS and 22 DoF.
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The product description lists movement and interaction features for demonstrations; check which features you’ll actually use before putting the robot into operation.
If camera, microphone or dialogue features involve personal data, check how that data will be processed under data protection law before inviting visitors to interact.
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The product description lists movement and interaction features for demonstrations; check which features you need for your event schedule.
For autonomous operation, the product description specifies supervised use and a safety distance of at least 2 m. The automatic charging function requires a separate charging station. If camera, microphone or dialogue features involve personal data, check how that data will be processed under data protection law before inviting visitors to interact.
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The product name describes a platform for movement and voice interaction during demonstrations.
The title lists two cameras, 26 degrees of freedom and an integrated AI language model. If camera or voice features involve personal data, check how that data will be processed under data protection law before inviting visitors to interact. Also follow the guidance on joint areas and emergency stops.
For hire, compare the operating time, on-site support, travel, set-up and dismantling, induction and insurance. If you’re buying a platform, also establish who’ll handle transport, operation, faults and maintenance. The package details and your own responsibilities should relate to the same event date and schedule.
Share the date, location and planned schedule, then confirm the requirements for the specific package. ECOSPHERE, for example, requires a nearby power supply, a level, dry surface and an on-site contact. Requirements may vary depending on the venue and event.
If personal data will be processed, you must check how it will be handled under data protection law before inviting visitors to interact. The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information and the Data Protection Conference cover the data protection implications of image capture and video surveillance. For your specific configuration, establish whether data will be recorded, stored or sent to external services.
Before buying, establish who’ll take care of transport, set-up, operation, faults and maintenance. A German offer for the G1 Basic lists training and support options, with a maintenance contract available as an add-on. This information from the retailer doesn’t replace making arrangements for your specific exhibition.