# Humanoid robot at IBTM World Barcelona: stand roles, Fira Barcelona noise and wireless rules, AI Act

URL: https://merarobotics.com/blog/humanoid-robot-at-ibtm-world-barcelona-business-events-stand-fira-rules
Language: en
Publisher: MERA Robotics (https://merarobotics.com)
Updated: 2026-11-02

> At IBTM World a humanoid robot works as a multilingual host on the stand of a destination, hotel or event tech supplier and as a live demonstration for planners. The show runs on 17-19 November 2026 and on 16-18 November 2027 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via. Fira's regulations cap noise in the exhibition area at 60 dB and restrict wireless equipment, so the robot's sound and connection have to be agreed before the show.

IBTM World is a show where much of the business happens by appointment: planners and suppliers arrive with a diary of pre-scheduled meetings. A humanoid robot on the stand therefore has two jobs. Between appointments it stops people who walk past and starts a conversation in their language. During the show it demonstrates to professionals what a robot host could do at an event they are planning. Both jobs depend on logistics that are specific to Fira Barcelona, so this article starts with the show and then goes through the venue's rules.

## What is IBTM World and who goes there?

IBTM World is a trade show for the business events and meetings industry, held at Fira Barcelona Gran Via in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. According to the organiser, the 2026 edition takes place on 17-19 November 2026, and the next dates are Tuesday 16 November to Thursday 18 November 2027. The organiser invites visitors to meet 2,500 destinations, hotels, event tech providers and suppliers from 150+ countries, and offers a personalised diary of pre-scheduled meetings.

The organiser's report on the 2025 edition gives a sense of scale: nearly 12,000 participants and a record 79,000+ pre-scheduled meetings, an 8% rise on 2024, with 49% of hosted buyers attending from outside Europe. The same report mentions the Future Stage with short innovation talks and IBTM Ignite, a platform connecting over 80 start-ups with investors and industry leaders. For an exhibitor this describes a crowd that is international, technology-minded and used to seeing new formats.

## What can a humanoid robot do on an IBTM stand?

On a stand at a business events show a robot usually takes on these roles:

1. **Greeting between appointments.** It addresses people passing the stand in their language and asks what kind of event they plan.
2. **First conversation about the offer.** With a prepared knowledge base it speaks about a destination, a hotel or a service and passes the visitor to a person from the team.
3. **Demonstration for planners.** Event tech suppliers and agencies can show a robot in the role of an event host. Destinations and hotels can show what a robot adds to a meeting held with them.
4. **A brand of its own.** A robot can carry a name, a character and knowledge of the offer, for example as the face of a destination at its stand.
5. **Photos and clips.** It poses with visitors, and short videos can be published during the show.
6. **Recognising what is on display.** With a camera, a robot can recognise an exhibit and comment on it.

The robot does not replace the meeting diary. It fills the gaps between meetings and gives people a reason to stop.

## How does a robot host cope with visitors from many countries?

MERA Robotics (MERA ROBOTICS sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland) rents humanoid robots with operators and its own MERA OS conversation system for events in Poland and elsewhere in Europe, and runs the humanoid robot Edward Warchocki. MERA OS holds live voice conversations in more than 70 languages, including Polish and English, with a voice matched to each language. Before the event the robot gets an event profile with knowledge of the client and the programme, and the client agrees with MERA the tone, the vocabulary and the topics the robot does not touch. A MERA operator is with the robot during the event and can stop it at any moment.

MERA's robot can also act as a conference host: based on the programme saved in the event profile, it announces the next items, takes part in a panel and talks with the moderator and the audience. The role is described on the page about the [robot as a host at events](https://merarobotics.com/en/events/robot-host).

## Which Fira Barcelona rules matter for a robot?

A robot on a stand falls under the venue's technical regulations like any other exhibit. The Fira de Barcelona regulations say that, in all cases, the maximum noise level admitted in the exhibition area shall never exceed sixty (60) dB. They also say that the use of any equipment, Wi-Fi network or any other technology that operates on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies, such as wireless microphones or wireless light controls, is not permitted, and that any other Wi-Fi network must be authorized. Anyone who needs such equipment has to contact Fira's Networks and Communications Department.

For a talking robot this has practical consequences:

- **Sound.** Keep the robot's loudspeaker level low enough for a 60 dB limit in a busy hall and place the conversation zone away from neighbours.
- **Wireless links.** Robots, operator devices and microphones often rely on wireless connections, so ask Fira early whether they must be authorized and what the alternatives are, such as a wired line.
- **Connection for conversations.** A live conversation needs a stable network. Order the connection through the venue instead of assuming that visitor Wi-Fi will cope.
- **Charging.** Agree where batteries can be charged and stored and bring spare batteries for the whole show.

The regulations are general to Fira Barcelona. Check the current edition and the exhibitor manual of the show before you plan the stand.

## Which EU rules apply to a talking robot at a trade show?

A humanoid robot that talks to visitors is an AI system under the AI Act. According to the European Commission, providers of AI systems that directly interact with people must design them so that the individuals concerned are informed that they are interacting with an AI system, unless this is obvious, and Article 50 applies as from 2 August 2026. A short introduction by the robot and a sign at the stand cover this in practice. If the robot records images or sound or collects contact details, GDPR applies as well, and videos with guests should be published only with their consent.

## How to choose a partner for a robot at IBTM World?

Use criteria that you can check before signing:

1. **Operators on site** during the whole show and a way to stop the robot at once.
2. **Languages and an event profile:** the languages of the buyers you expect, and a profile with your programme, your offer and the topics to avoid.
3. **Handling of wireless equipment:** the supplier should know how to deal with the venue's rules on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz devices and have a wired alternative.
4. **A robot model that fits the stand,** and a plan for batteries and charging through the day.
5. **Experience abroad:** transport, set-up and the rules of the exhibition ground.
6. **A written scope** with working hours, transport and set-up. Price depends on these elements, so ask for a written offer.

## How does a robot get to Barcelona from Poland?

MERA Robotics carries out events across Europe: the robot with MERA operators comes to an event in every country of the European Union, and also, among others, in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway. Spain is in the EU, so there is no customs border, but transport of the robot and its batteries still needs planning. Among its foreign projects MERA has worked with a robot and operators at an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026. MERA offers Unitree G1 (about 132 cm tall) and Unitree H2 (about 182 cm tall) robots with operators for events and checks every robot before it goes to an event; the models are listed in the [catalogue of robots for rent and sale](https://merarobotics.com/blog/robots-for-rent-and-sale).

More about events in the country is in the article on a [humanoid robot for an event in Spain](https://merarobotics.com/blog/humanoid-robot-for-event-in-spain-madrid-barcelona-valencia-who-provides), and about the second major show of the industry in the article on a [humanoid robot at IMEX Frankfurt](https://merarobotics.com/blog/humanoid-robot-at-imex-frankfurt-event-industry-trade-show-stand-rules).

## FAQ

### When is IBTM World in Barcelona?

According to the organiser, IBTM World 2026 takes place on 17-19 November 2026 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via. The next edition is planned for Tuesday 16 November to Thursday 18 November 2027.

### What noise limit applies on a stand at Fira Barcelona?

The Fira de Barcelona regulations say that the maximum noise level admitted in the exhibition area shall never exceed sixty (60) dB. A robot with a loudspeaker falls under the same limit, so its volume and position must be planned with it in mind.

### Can a robot use its own Wi-Fi at Fira Barcelona?

Not freely. The Fira de Barcelona regulations say that any other Wi-Fi network must be authorized, and that equipment operating on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies is not permitted unless the Networks and Communications Department has been contacted. Ask Fira early what applies to the robot and to the operator's devices.

### Does a robot at a trade show in Spain have to say that it is AI?

Yes, unless it is obvious. According to the European Commission, Article 50 of the AI Act applies as from 2 August 2026, and people must be informed that they are interacting with an AI system. A first sentence from the robot and a sign at the stand are enough in practice.

### Can a robot talk to visitors in many languages?

Yes, if its software supports the languages and the knowledge about your offer is prepared in each of them. MERA OS, for example, holds conversations in more than 70 languages, including Polish and English.

## Sources

- [IBTM World (official site)](https://www.ibtmworld.com/)
- [IBTM World 2025 breaks records and redefines the business events landscape (IBTM press release)](https://www.ibtmworld.com/en-gb/blog/press-release/2025-breaks-records.html)
- [Fira de Barcelona Technical Regulations (ENG)](https://congress.2024.escrs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fira_Barcelona_Technical_Regulations_ENG.pdf)
- [Transparency obligations under Article 50 of the AI Act (European Commission)](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/faqs/transparency-obligations-under-article-50-ai-act)

This page is published by MERA Robotics, a company that rents humanoid robots with operators for events.

## Contact

MERA Robotics: contact@merarobotics.com, https://merarobotics.com