For a one-off trade show appearance, a supported hire is often the most straightforward place to start, provided that operator support, preparation and logistics are explicitly agreed. Buying or leasing is more likely to suit regular demonstrations, if transport, power, trained operators and ongoing support can all be organised. Whichever option you choose, agree the planned audience-facing demonstration, assess risks to employees and check the specific organiser’s requirements in advance.
If you’re planning a one-off appearance and can’t operate the robot yourself, consider a supported hire. EF Robotics, TONEART and ROBOTio describe event services featuring humanoid robots. Make sure your agreement spells out exactly what the operator and technical team will do.
Buying or leasing could be worth considering for regular trade shows, showroom demonstrations or roadshows. You’ll need a team able to manage transport, rehearsals, power, software maintenance and operation across multiple events. Terra Robotics lists buying, hiring and leasing as possible project options.
If your stand layout changes or employees will be within the robot’s range of movement, start planning around the specific demonstration rather than trying to include as many movements as possible. Under Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must assess work-related risks to employees. The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also emphasises the importance of the circumstances at each workplace.
The contract determines who organises operation and support. Whether the demonstration can go ahead also depends on the specific robot, the running order and the venue.
Best for: one-off events or when you don’t have your own operator; EF Robotics, TONEART and ROBOTio describe hire services for these situations.
Consider: The model version, operator hours, set-up and replacement arrangements in the event of a breakdown will depend on the agreed offer.
Best for: regular events and a team that can take ongoing responsibility for preparation, transport, operation and maintenance.
Consider: Even with documented features, you’ll still be responsible for keeping the robot ready to operate and planning for breakdowns. Unitree provides separate documents for the G1’s packaging, battery and remote control.
Best for: regular events where you want training and ongoing technical support arranged under contract.
Consider: Terra Robotics describes service options such as commissioning and maintenance. You’ll need to agree whether these apply to your chosen model and event venue.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Safe demonstration | Check the operating instructions and planned movements and stopping sequence against your stand layout, visitor flow and the organiser’s requirements. | If employees and visitors will be close to the robot, I need a plan with clear responsibilities and procedures for intervening. Around 31% of consumers put this safe approach first. |
| Transport and power | Check the packed dimensions and total weight of the complete equipment, as well as the charging or spare-battery plan for the exact model version. | For a roadshow, the equipment needs to be set up on time at different venues and ready to use between demonstrations. Around 25% of consumers therefore prioritise transport and power. |
| Operation and interaction | Agree the control method, operator responsibilities and a test run using the planned demonstration sequence. | If my stand team needs to repeat the same interaction several times, I need a rehearsed sequence and a clearly defined operator role. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Contract and support | Set out operator hours, transport, technical support and replacement arrangements separately in the specific offer. | For a time-critical trade show appearance, I want to know who will step in if something goes wrong and what services have been agreed. For around 19% of consumers, this contractual clarity matters most. |
A moving demonstration needs to work with the space available, visitor flow and the operator’s responsibilities. Employers also have a separate duty to assess risks to employees under Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Start by mapping out the movement area, operator position and start-and-stop sequence. Then decide which movements to demonstrate at the specific venue.
Adding an operator to your booking doesn’t clarify who will oversee the test run, step in if something goes wrong or liaise with the event organiser. A supported hire also doesn’t replace your own assessment of working conditions for your team.
Get operator hours, responsibilities, intervention procedures, insurance questions and replacement arrangements confirmed in writing.
Extra operator hours, travel, set-up or technical on-call support may depend on the services included in your agreement.
Charging points, cable routes and storage space can affect when and where demonstrations take place. Unitree covers the G1’s packaging and its battery and charger in separate documents.
Plan your demonstration times around charging breaks or spare batteries, and confirm the power equipment supplied for the exact model version.
Check technical requirements for each venue. Messe Düsseldorf, for example, publishes its own technical guidelines; they don’t provide general approval for other exhibition centres.
Get the latest requirements from the specific organiser and agree the movement area, power supply and transport route before finalising your running order.
German event hire companies such as EF Robotics and ROBOTio list the G1 as a hire model. Unitree provides documents covering remote control, packaging, and the battery and charger.
Terra Robotics lists Walker models and describes the Walker C1 for reception and event applications.
Terra Robotics positions the LUMO L1 for interactive exhibitions, museums and visitor attractions.
These humanoid robots may be suitable for self-organised technology and interactive demonstrations. If you’re considering one for a trade show or roadshow, check the exact model version, operating sequence and venue requirements before committing.
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This model could be worth considering for a supported interactive demonstration, provided you test the planned sequence with the Ultra version on offer.
Check the battery and control equipment actually supplied, as well as the packed dimensions and total weight, including accessories. For autonomous movement, the offer specifies supervision and a distance from people; make sure the movement area and responsibilities suit your stand.
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You could consider the X2 for a presenter-led demonstration with audience interaction, provided you rehearse the planned activities at the venue.
Confirm the features and power equipment specifically for the X2, rather than the X2 Ultra. The offer warns about moving joints and requires supervision during autonomous operation; take this into account when planning the space and operator position.
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This offer is aimed at people who want to prepare and oversee a movement demonstration themselves; that doesn’t automatically make it suitable for use around an audience.
The product title specifies 29 degrees of freedom in total and 16 joint degrees of freedom. Ask the supplier to confirm the controls, transport equipment, power plan and operator roles required for this version.
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The R1 could be worth considering for a supported technology presentation if its voice interaction and movement sequence suit your planned demonstration.
The product title specifies a dual-camera system and 26 degrees of freedom. The offer warns people to keep clear of the immediate turning area when the robot starts and makes rapid movements; set the required distance and operating sequence before the demonstration. Also check transport and battery arrangements for the exact version.
Supported hire is particularly worth considering for one-off or infrequent trade shows when you don’t have a trained in-house robotics team. EF Robotics, TONEART and ROBOTio describe event hire with support. For your event, make sure you explicitly agree the model, operator hours, set-up, test run and what happens if the robot breaks down.
No, a case alone doesn’t cover the transport and set-up process. Check all the equipment, including the charger and control system, venue access, and the time needed for set-up and rehearsal. Unitree provides separate G1 documents covering packaging and the battery and charger; the exact version being used is what matters.
If employees are involved in set-up, operation or the demonstration, their employer must assess work-related risks and identify the necessary protective measures under Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act. According to the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the scope and content depend on workplace conditions. You should therefore assess the movement area and intervention procedure for the specific stand.
First, check which EU product regulations apply to the specific robot and its configuration. For machinery within the scope of Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, conformity assessment, CE marking and the EC Declaration of Conformity form part of the applicable framework, as explained by EUR-Lex. The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 applies from 20 January 2027. A CE mark alone doesn’t answer questions about modifications, the roles of those involved or how the robot will be used at a particular trade show stand.