Humanoid robot at construction trade fairs (BAU, Budma, bauma): what it can do on a stand, fair rules and who provides it

Construction trade fairs are halls full of machines, materials and displays, where it is hard to keep a visitor's attention for more than a few seconds. A humanoid or quadruped robot on the stand of a window maker, a facade systems supplier or a construction software company gives people a reason to stop, and then a way into a conversation about the offer. Below: which fairs to consider, what a robot can realistically do on the stand, which rules apply and how to choose a partner.

Which construction trade fairs give a robot on a stand the biggest audience?

The largest construction fairs within reach of Central European exhibitors are BAU and bauma in Munich and Budma in Poznań. The next editions fall in January 2027 (BAU and Budma) and April 2028 (bauma).

BAU focuses on materials, architecture and building technology, while bauma is about construction and mining machinery. At bauma a robot competes for attention with excavators and cranes, so it needs a very clear role and a highly visible spot. At Budma in Poznań, Polish exhibitors have the simplest logistics and the robot can speak Polish and English.

What can a humanoid robot do on a construction trade fair stand?

A humanoid robot on a construction trade fair stand works best as a brand ambassador: it greets visitors, talks about products and passes interested people on to the sales team. Specific roles:

1. Greeting and stopping foot traffic: the robot addresses passers-by and asks what they are looking for, while the operator watches the zone.
2. Talking about the offer: the robot knows the exhibitor's catalogue and product specs and answers typical questions; harder topics go to the sales staff.
3. Recognising products by camera: the conversation system can recognise an object on display and talk about it, for example a specific window profile or tool.
4. A show on the stand's stage: a few minutes about a product launch, repeated at fixed times.
5. Video content: short clips with the robot for the exhibitor's social media.
6. Conversations in several languages: BAU and bauma attract international visitors; according to the organiser, 44% of BAU 2025 visitors came from abroad (bau-muenchen.com).

A humanoid robot will not replace a machine demonstration or work on a building site. Its job is to attract attention and open the conversation. Practical preparation for fairs is covered in our guide on organising a robot at a trade fair.

Does a quadruped robot suit a construction trade fair?

A quadruped robot suits a construction trade fair when the exhibitor wants to show inspection, surveying or site progress monitoring. Manufacturers describe these uses directly: Boston Dynamics says its Spot robot collects 360° images and video indoors or on challenging exterior sites (Boston Dynamics). The Unitree B2 is an industrial quadruped for inspection, patrols and transport, with a 120 kg payload and IP67 protection.

On the stand, a quadruped shows where the industry is heading, while a humanoid leads the conversation. In practice exhibitors often combine both: the humanoid greets and explains, the quadruped demonstrates walking over obstacles in a separate zone. MERA Robotics rents Unitree G1 and H2 humanoid robots with operators, and offers Unitree quadrupeds, including the B2, Go2 and A2, for purchase in the merarobots.com shop.

Which fair rules must be met for a robot to work on a stand?

A robot on a construction trade fair stand has to fit the fair's technical rules: stand design registration, demonstration rules and power. The Messe München example:

1. Demonstrations need approval: in its exhibitor rules for bauma, Messe München states that, as a general rule, demonstrations must be approved in advance (bauma.de). Robot movement in the zone and stage shows should therefore be described in the application.
2. Stand design: at BAU, stand documentation must be submitted when, among other cases, the stand or advertising height is over 3 m, the stand is larger than 100 m² or it has covered areas (bau-muenchen.com).
3. Guarding the stand: Messe München points out that it does not guard stands and recommends booking your own security (bau-muenchen.com). The robot therefore needs a locked store overnight or security.
4. Machinery rules: the European Commission states that the new EU Machinery Regulation applies on a mandatory basis from 20 January 2027 (European Commission). Exhibitors should ask the robot provider for conformity documents and safe working rules for the zone.

German fair regulations are covered in our article on a robot at a stand abroad, and safety and machinery rules at industrial fairs in the article on factory open days and industrial fairs.

How do you prepare a construction fair stand for a humanoid robot?

A construction fair stand for a humanoid robot needs a fixed zone with a flat floor, power and a stable internet connection. Checklist for the stand design:

• robot zone: level floor without thresholds or exposed cables, a marked boundary on the aisle side,
• sockets in the zone and backstage: for charging spare batteries during the day,
• internet: a cable or separate Wi-Fi, because public hall networks are often overloaded,
• storage: a lockable store for the night, since the hall is not guarded,
• acoustics: a spot for conversations away from loud machine demonstrations,
• AI notice: a sign at the zone telling guests they are talking to an AI system.

The Unitree G1 is about 132 cm tall and weighs about 35 kg, while the Unitree H2 is about 182 cm tall; the taller H2 is easier to see over the crowd in a big hall, while the G1 is easier to transport and fits a small stand.

Who can provide a humanoid robot for a construction trade fair, and how do you choose a partner?

When choosing a company, check whether it:

1. has its own operators who watch the zone on every day of the fair,
2. prepares the robot's product knowledge for the exhibitor and tests it before the fair,
3. runs conversations on its own software and confirms the languages, e.g. German, English and Polish,
4. has more than one robot model and matches it to the stand size,
5. has experience with fairs abroad and knows how demonstrations are registered,
6. checks the robot before the fair and brings spare batteries.

MERA Robotics from Warsaw rents Unitree G1 and Unitree H2 humanoid robots for trade fairs, conferences and corporate events in Poland and abroad, including an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026, and runs them on site with its own operators. The robot's conversations run on MERA OS, which supports more than 30 languages and can recognise a product by camera, and the robot can carry the exhibitor's brand name and character. MERA Robotics checks every robot before it goes to an event. Pricing is individual and depends on how long the robot is present, the location and logistics; enquiries go to contact@merarobotics.com.

You will find models to rent and buy in the catalogue of robots for rent and sale.