The R1 Air may be enough for simple, pre-programmed movements. If your choreography requires head or waist movements, consider a suitable R1 configuration. An EDU version may be appropriate if your team can develop its own movement or interaction software. A staffed rental service could be a better choice if having an operator, set-up and induction matters more than running the robot yourself. Before the event, also confirm the safety distance, supervision arrangements and—if the camera or microphone is enabled—exactly how data will be processed.
Plans short, supervised and repeatable movements. The range of movement, floor space and safe management of the audience should all be considered together. Unitree Robotics specifies that a safe distance must be maintained at all times.
Wants to incorporate questions or visual responses into a supervised demonstration. This requires a tested application and a plan for processing any microphone and camera data. The Conference of Independent Data Protection Supervisory Authorities of the Federation and the Länder explains when video processing may involve personal data.
May need advice or a staffed service rather than developing and operating a robotics solution in-house. TONEART-Shop describes R1 applications for events, while Robotic Rental offers an R1 service with an operator. Confirm the scope of the service and responsibilities in the specific quotation.
Unitree Robotics requires a safe distance to be maintained at all times. Your planning will therefore also depend on the choreography, available space and how the audience is managed.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Safe movements for demonstrations and space requirements | Plan the movement sequence, available space and operator position together, and maintain the required safety distance. | If I’m planning a choreographed demonstration, the movements and available space need to work together without compromising the necessary distance from the audience. Around 40% of consumers put movement and space requirements first. |
| Voice and image interaction | Test the demonstration software; confirm which camera and microphone functions are enabled, as well as who receives the data and how it is stored. | If I want to demonstrate responses to questions or images, I want to know in advance which application is actually running and whether it processes data. Around 30% of consumers prioritise visitor interaction and the handling of the data it generates. |
| Supervision and day-to-day event operation | Compare buying with a staffed service in writing, covering the operator, set-up, transport, contingency plan, batteries and responsibilities. | If our team has limited capacity to operate the robot itself, I want tasks and responsibilities for the event day to be clearly allocated. Around 30% of consumers focus on supervised operation and the way the robot is procured. |
Specifications may differ depending on the specific offer. Unitree Robotics lists 26 degrees of freedom for the R1, while reichelt elektronik lists 24 for the R1 Base. Another retailer’s description also gives different specifications.
Ask the seller to confirm the manufacturer’s model number and the axes, sensors and software that matter for your particular set-up.
An unsuitable range of movement or unclear software and delivery details may mean additional discussions and development work later on.
Hardware features do not prove that a suitable conversational application is available or that the planned data processing has been approved for the venue. The Conference of Independent Data Protection Supervisory Authorities of the Federation and the Länder describes video surveillance in connection with the processing of personal data.
Test the planned interaction with the specific configuration and decide what data will be processed before using the robot in front of an audience.
Developing your own application, testing it and organising data protection may all involve extra work.
An event package with an operator does not automatically include the same services as a hardware offer. Transport, set-up, induction, operation and responsibilities may be covered differently.
Compare offers based on services and responsibilities set out in writing, including contingency planning and data processing.
Operation, transport, set-up, charging breaks and procedures for dealing with failures all need to be included in your event planning.
Manufacturer of the R1 range featured here, including Air, R1 and configurable EDU versions.
This selection includes an R1 EDU variant for your own development work and an R1 Air variant for supervised demonstrations. With the Air, check the specific interaction software and how it processes data before use.
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For teams looking to develop their own movement or interaction software.
The product title states that it supports secondary development. For large movements such as dancing, the product description recommends a clear area of at least 6 m × 6 m; the robot should not be touched while it is moving. Unitree Robotics requires a safe distance to be maintained at all times.
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For a supervised demonstration involving voice or image interaction. Check the application that will actually be used before the event.
The product title lists a monocular camera, 20 degrees of freedom, an integrated AI language model and Smart Interaction. These specifications alone do not prove that a visitor application is ready to use. Unitree Robotics requires a safe distance to be maintained at all times.
Unitree Robotics’ manufacturer warning does not specify a general distance in metres. It requires a safe distance to be maintained at all times. Set the distance, movement sequence and audience arrangements for your specific stand.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Confirm the purpose, legal basis and actual processing of personal data in advance. If a publicly accessible area is subject to video surveillance within the scope of § 4 BDSG, the surveillance and the name and contact details of the responsible organisation must be made clear as early as possible. The presence of camera hardware alone does not mean that video surveillance is taking place.
Agree the demonstration sequence and operating roles, practise how to stop the demonstration, keep audience routes and emergency exits clear, and plan battery changes around the schedule. DGUV Information 215-310 on safety at events and productions offers organisational guidance, but does not specify a particular staffing level for this R1 set-up.
Ask for details of transport, set-up, induction, operator hours, contingency arrangements, batteries, servicing and insurance responsibilities separately. For a rental offer, treat only the services explicitly agreed as included.
Under § 5 ArbSchG, the employer must assess the risks associated with employees’ work and identify the necessary health and safety measures. This assessment is separate from planning for visitors and considering the conditions at the venue.