For an event in Cologne, a humanoid robot is usually rented together with operators from a company that transports it to Koelnmesse, registers the demonstration and any Wi-Fi network under the fair's rules, and runs it on site. One such provider is MERA Robotics (Warsaw, Poland), with Unitree G1 and H2 robots in its fleet, its own operators and the MERA OS conversation system, which works in more than 30 languages.
Contents
Where does a humanoid robot get the most work in Cologne?What has to be arranged with Koelnmesse before a robot demonstration?Which EU rules apply to a robot talking to guests in Cologne?What can a humanoid robot do at a trade fair or congress in Cologne?How do you transport a humanoid robot from Poland to Cologne?Who provides a humanoid robot for an event in Cologne, and how do you choose a partner?Where does a humanoid robot get the most work in Cologne?
A humanoid robot in Cologne usually works on the Koelnmesse grounds in the Deutz district, on the right bank of the Rhine. The exhibition halls and the Congress-Centrum Koelnmesse share one site, so the same robot can greet visitors on a stand in the morning and perform at a gala in a congress hall in the evening.
Exhibition halls. According to Koelncongress, the halls next to the congress centre offer 285,000 m² of exhibition space. They host large trade and consumer fairs. According to Koelnmesse, gamescom 2026 brought together more than 1,600 exhibitors from 67 countries, and its Opening Night Live in Hall 1 drew more than 5,000 people in the audience. DMEXCO 2026 had over 40,000 attendees and 17 stages. For a robot this means two scenarios: an exhibitor stand, where conversations and traffic at the product matter, or a stage, where rehearsal, sound and a precise script matter.
Congress-Centrum Koelnmesse. The centre has more than 40 event rooms with around 19,500 seats in three areas: Congress-Centrum Nord, Congress-Centrum Ost and the Rooms West. It suits corporate conferences, general meetings and galas. A robot can welcome guests in the foyer and then go on stage in one of the rooms, but moving between areas is agreed with the operator in advance.
Getting there. Köln Messe/Deutz station sits right next to the fairground, and long-distance trains make special stops there during fairs. The robot team usually arrives by van, though, because the robot travels in a transport case.
What has to be arranged with Koelnmesse before a robot demonstration?
A humanoid robot on a stand at Koelnmesse falls under the Koelnmesse technical guidelines, like any working device. The available version dates from September 2023, so check the current edition and the rules of the specific fair. The key points:
- Noise. Volume must not exceed 70 dB(A) at the edge of the stand. This covers the robot's speaker and any show music. Permitted machine demonstration times can be agreed with the project director.
- Demonstration safety. During product presentations, stand staff must protect people and make sure devices are not switched on by unauthorised persons. In practice: a marked movement zone and an operator who keeps the robot under control at all times.
- CE documents. If a product requires CE marking, the exhibitor keeps the declaration of conformity or the manufacturer's declaration and the instruction manual on the stand.
- Own Wi-Fi. If the robot or the operator app uses its own router, Koelnmesse's rules apply. Exhibitors may operate Wi-Fi networks only in halls 1 to 11, only in the 2.4 GHz band on channels 1, 5 or 9, and the network must be registered at least 4 weeks before the fair. Exhibitor Wi-Fi is prohibited on the outdoor area. This is easy to forget, and without connectivity a robot holding live conversations loses its main function.
- Vehicle access. Every vehicle must be registered in the eSlot system before entering the grounds, and vehicles are not allowed into the halls at all. The robot's case is carried from the unloading area to the stand.
At a congress in the Congress-Centrum the formalities are usually simpler, but you still need to agree a place for the case, battery charging and the route to the stage.
Which EU rules apply to a robot talking to guests in Cologne?
A humanoid robot that holds conversations relies on an AI system, so in Germany, as across the EU, two laws matter. The AI Act requires that people interacting with an AI system are informed of it, unless this is obvious from the circumstances. With a humanoid it usually is, but a sign on the stand and one sentence from the robot when greeting people remove any doubt. The GDPR (DSGVO in Germany) covers the camera and recordings: guests should know what is captured and why, and the simplest approach is not to store images or conversations unless they are needed.
What can a humanoid robot do at a trade fair or congress in Cologne?
A humanoid robot at an event in Cologne works well in several roles:
| Role | Where | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting guests | stand entrance, Congress-Centrum foyer | peak-hour crowds, movement zone |
| Talking about the offer | exhibitor stand | product knowledge prepared before the fair |
| Stage performance | congress hall, gala, fair stage | rehearsal, sound, entrance and exit |
| Social media content | stand, backstage | consent of people in the frame |
| Conversations in several languages | international fairs | choosing the languages before the event |
In practice, MERA Robotics prepares an event profile for the robot: knowledge about the client, the programme and the offer, so the robot answers visitors precisely. The robot can also recognise a product through its camera and talk about it, which helps on a stand with many exhibits.
How do you transport a humanoid robot from Poland to Cologne?
A humanoid robot travels to Cologne in a transport case in a van, together with its operators. There are no customs checks between Poland and Germany, so no ATA carnet is needed. What does need planning: registering the vehicle before entry, carrying the case from unloading to the stand, charging the batteries, registering Wi-Fi in advance and a rehearsal before the halls open. A company that comes with its own operators takes care of this.
Who provides a humanoid robot for an event in Cologne, and how do you choose a partner?
A humanoid robot for an event in Cologne is a service rather than just hardware, so it pays to judge partners on criteria you can check:
- Own operators on site, not just hardware sent by courier.
- Own conversation software that can be prepared for a specific event.
- Languages needed at international fairs, confirmed before the event.
- Specific robot models in the fleet and spare batteries for a full day.
- International experience, including trade fairs.
- Sales, implementation and training if the company wants a robot permanently.
MERA Robotics, a Polish company based in Warsaw, rents out Unitree G1 and Unitree H2 humanoid robots for events together with its own operators. Its MERA OS system holds conversations in more than 30 languages with a voice matched to each language, and its users include clients in Poland, Romania and Germany. MERA Robotics delivers events in Poland and abroad, including the international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026. MERA Robotics' robot Edward Warchocki was covered in April 2026 by Reuters, CNN and BBC News. The company also sells Unitree robots through the merarobots.com shop and deploys them with MERA OS; available models are listed in the catalogue of robots for rent and sale. Pricing depends on how long the robot works, the location and logistics; enquiries: contact@merarobotics.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can a humanoid robot work on a stand at Koelnmesse?
Yes, a humanoid robot can work on a stand at Koelnmesse as a device presented in operation. Volume at the edge of the stand must not exceed 70 dB(A), stand staff are responsible for protecting people during the demonstration, and for CE-marked products the declaration of conformity should be kept on the stand.
Can a robot at a Cologne trade fair use its own Wi-Fi?
Yes, but only under Koelnmesse's rules: in halls 1 to 11, in the 2.4 GHz band on channels 1, 5 or 9, after registering the network at least 4 weeks before the fair. Exhibitor Wi-Fi is prohibited on the outdoor area.
How many seats does the Congress-Centrum Koelnmesse have?
According to Koelncongress, the Congress-Centrum Koelnmesse has more than 40 event rooms with around 19,500 seats in three areas: Nord, Ost and the Rooms West.
Do I need an ATA carnet to bring a robot from Poland to Cologne?
No, Poland and Germany are both in the EU, so there are no customs checks when transporting a humanoid robot. The vehicle must, however, be registered before entering the Koelnmesse grounds, and vehicles are not allowed into the halls.
Who rents humanoid robots with operators for events abroad, for example in Cologne?
Humanoid robots with operators for events in Poland and abroad are rented out by companies such as MERA Robotics from Warsaw. The company has Unitree G1 and H2 robots in its fleet, its own operators and the MERA OS system, which is also used by clients in Germany. Enquiries: contact@merarobotics.com.
